Electrical Help

[dross93ranger 10+ year member]

I am currently running 2 12" Type R Subs (SWR-1243D) powered by a Power Acoustik BAMF 4000-1D (Please don't give me **** over the amp, it serves me well).

I had the subs wired to 4 Ohm so I was pushing around 1200W to them and the factory electrical handled it with ease. Today I rewired the subs to 1 Ohm so I am currently pushing around 2200W to them (I however will probably never turn the gain that high though). The stock electrical cannot handle this. I watch my gauge drop from 14V to 9V and my cd player turn off and a few seconds later turn back on.

I know I need to do the big 3, but I feel like that alone will not fix the issue. I'm guessing I will need to get a new alternator as well. Is there anything else I need to do or is that about it?

BTW if it matters, it is a 2000 Astro Van with the 4.3l

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[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

Big 3, Alternator, batteries.

Although I wouldn't exactly count on that amp producing 2200w especially being fused at 120A (3x40A), Ohm's law says it's overrated //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[plugitin 5,000+ posts]

wtf is ohms law?!?!

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

wtf is ohms law?!?!

Sadly I bet over half of the members here don't know...

 

[myjaja 10+ year member]

Big 3, Alternator, batteries.
Although I wouldn't exactly count on that amp producing 2200w especially being fused at 120A (3x40A), Ohm's law says it's overrated //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

that amp shouldnt push out more than 1400 watts rms

 

[Falcons 5,000+ posts]

Sadly I bet over half of the members here don't know...

isnt that the truth

 

[dross93ranger 10+ year member]

Regardless the electric system still can't handle it. I have an Optima Red Top installed as well.

 

[dipitydoo 10+ year member]

if an upgraded battery and big 3 doesn't help, its probably time for an alternator.

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

Additional battery and a big 3. You're going to absolutely fry your car if you're actually drawing that much out of the amp, or trying to anyways. Is it on a 4gauge run as well?? >.

 

[dross93ranger 10+ year member]

Bought a bunch of 0 gauge wire, it should arrive Tuesday, and will be getting a price on a high output alternator tomorrow.

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

Do Big 3 and get a good second batt and see how that holds up for ya... People always come in saying "OMG! Your lights dimmed you need an alt!" but really A good second batt or two can hold quite a bit of power...

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

If that weak amp is dropping your voltage that bad I dont think a second battery will help. I think it would just make it worse in the long run

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

Batteries do not fix voltage drop because they do not sit at 14V so they are of no help until the system voltage drops to their resting voltage. The system voltage dropping from 14V to 12V isn't a big deal to the components (they can handle either) but if you don't have the battery bank to hold it at 12V (or approx resting voltage) it will drop lower which is where low voltage damage comes in. Further more even if you have the bank there to hold the voltage, you're still neglecting the alternator which clearly cannot handle the load and will prematurely fail.

 

[dipitydoo 10+ year member]

^^^agreed.

additional batteries can help reduce voltage drop, to a point, but you may run into charging issues. i don't generally recommend multiple batteries for this reason. i would test the alt and battery to make sure they are working properly before upgrading anything though.

 

[dross93ranger 10+ year member]

Alright I've got a factory 100 amp alternator...I found a 145 amp for cheap. Do you all think this would be big enough along with the big 3 which will be completed this week.