Calculating energy needs

[soldiermedic 10+ year member]

After laughing my butt off in the forums with the battery, capacitor, capcell, HO alternators, and other general electrical upgrade sections, can anyone tell me a basic way to calculate (5 years of high school here) the energy needs of my vehicle and stereo system?

Click to read more...

 

[smoka 10+ year member]

It would help if you post what your equipment and vehicle is....

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

It would help if you post what your equipment and vehicle is....

Indeed.

 

[Deeper_shades 10+ year member]

it all depends on a few different things.

we need a lot more info about your system, vehicle, ect

 

[soldiermedic 10+ year member]

I didn't mean just for mine, I think if people knew what was needed for wattage it would be of immense help; but I will supply:

07 Trailblazer

145 amp alt

RF T400-4: pushing 4 Polk Momo components, birthsheet says 97x4 RMS @ 4 ohms (old school gray top amp)

RF T400-2: pushing 2 infinity DVQ 10" subs @ 2 ohms, sealed box, birthsheet says 256 x2 RMS at 2 ohms

I'm basically running just under 1000 watts. No desire to be loud, just clear.

People start having issues with the required power for what they run, so If they supplied the information like this, it would be nice if the experts and experienced folks out there could throw the suggestions out: if they're running 1000 watts, what upgrades should they get. If 2000, then what, and so on.

 

[Haunz 10+ year member]

Figure out what your peak amperage draw for the audio system is going to be, and plan on needing 1/3 of that from your alternator on a relativley continuous basis... anything over 200 amps and you should also start looking at adding extra batteries...

Thats my rule of thumb...

 

[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

Try battery charts from companies like kinetic or xs power and I agree with what was post above