Do I need a HO alternator?

[chadwilliam1]

Hello, I am trying to detemine if i NEED to upgrade my charging system. I have a 16 chrysler 200 with a 160 amp stock alternator.

Here is my equipment list.

(2) R1200-1 wired.

(1) Kenwood Excelon XR600-6DSP 75W x 6

(1) Kenwood KAC-M3004 75W x 4

at idle with everything turned louder than i can stand with a bass heavy song. My battery terminal voltage reading will get down to 12.6. I get the same reading at the amp. Now this is much louder than i ever listen to it. If I have it set to about the max i would listen to it. my reading drop down to about 13.2-13.5 volts. Usually it charges around 13.9.

I have not done the big 3 yet as I was not sure if I need a bigger alternator. I do not want to replace it if it is not a necessity. I can barely see my interior accent lighting dim at night when i am jamming. I can not notice my headlights dimming.

Thank you

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[The Camry]

no

 

[chadwilliam1]

Thank you very much for the reply. I have the wire to do the big 3. I just wont have time for a few more weeks. I dont drive my car very much in the summer anyway.

Can you explain how you arrived at your answer to help me understand?

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

if you start hitting low 12s and 11s then you should consider one, but you should do the big 3 regardless

 

[chadwilliam1]

Thanks, wife and kids go out of town in a few weeks which gives me time to get the big 3 done. I was thinking if i am not going to replace the alternator should i consider upgrading the stock battery or adding an additional battery? I keep the car on a battery tender most of the time because i dont drive it every week when it is motorcycle weather. BTW i have 0/1 wire for my big 3 upgrade.

 

[chadwilliam1]

My build. I did all the work but I took it to a local shop to get the gains set properly. The Kenwood amp is amazing.

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[chadwilliam1]

Also will a capacitor be of any use?

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[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Also will a capacitor be of any use?
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The one you would buy? Never

 

[chadwilliam1]

I don't understand that statement.

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[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

I don't understand that statement.
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The ones they sell in stores and most shops are gimmicks. There is nothing inside those tubes

 

[chadwilliam1]

Is there one can recommend?

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[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

Is there one can recommend?
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the only caps you should ever buy are ultracaps from maxwell or XS power, all the others have minuscule capacitance and do nothing for you

regarding the battery question, if your battery is dying replace it with an AGM. Otherwise don't bother. Unless you're below 12.5v you're barely drawing on the battery.

save your money, i get you want to buy stuff to help out but i dont think you need to at this stage.

 

[chadwilliam1]

OK thank you. I will leave week enough alone and do the big three upgrade when I can. Thank you.

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