Hello all...have an electrical question!

[jarnld 10+ year member]

Hey there peeps...Ive been browsing this place for a while and this is my first post. I have a system Im putting in a 1997 Chevy camaro that consists of the following.

Sony xav-7w receiver w/ screen

MTX 4 channel amp 65X2@2ohms 40X2@4ohms

Rockford Fosgate 2 channel model 400S

2 Kenwood 12" Subs - 4ohms, single coil, max 600 watts

2 kenwood 6.5 in rear

2 5 1/4 JBLs in front doors

Sony DVD changer

One standalone monitor in the back

1 original playstation (I like the original)

1 DVD player

and two neons to accent the amps in the back

Now...The camaro's alternator only pushes out 105 amps. Unfortunately with only the head unit installed the lights are dimming. So my first question...

Is this a bad alternator or simply a whole other electrical problem?

My second question....

How would you all reccomend I run all this stuff?

Because i dont think (and I havent calculated total amps yet) that all this stuff will run off the stock 105A alternator. WHAT are my options?

THANKS!

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[Chevyaudio 5,000+ posts]

i would say that its might be a bad alternator, because just a HU causing your lights to dim is rare (to my knowledge). But it could be that there is an installation problem causeing you to have a voltage drop. So first take your car over to the local autozone and get them to test your alternator (they do it for free) and if it is a good alternator, check to make sure that the HU is installed properly. As for that setup, I don't think it will draw that much current being that 465 watts appears to be the audio systems RMS. And for the other things, like DVD changers and players, they dont pull much current at all so those arent really a concern. But i would run a Yellow top under the hood just so you could use your eqipment while parked with the engine off.

 

[jarnld 10+ year member]

I know that the HU is hooked up properly...However, whats a yellow top? A battery?

 

[Chevyaudio 5,000+ posts]

Yeah an optima Battery, http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/home.html

then if the HU is properly connected go to AutoZone and get your alternator Tested.

 

[jarnld 10+ year member]

So youre saying to replace my regular battery with a Optima battery? Or run both at the same time? The optima should be able to handle my entire system then, correct? Can the alternator (assuming its okay) handle that kind of load? Thanks so much for your help. I dont do electrical...Im mainly the design/installer - I build the boxes and glass them etc. etc...

Thanks again!

 

[jarnld 10+ year member]

I just went online to optima batteries and it says I should use a red top for my car. Red 73/35 75DTO

Would this be okay?

Should I upgrade my alternator as well and are there any alternators that are better than others? suggestions?

 

[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

in my humble opinion you should worry about to much current draw off your stock alt. i would go with say a 200 amp unit---you've spent alot of money on your gear why scrimp when it comes to arguably the most important part of the whole system? check out ohio generators or excessive amperage alts.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

A Red Top will only help you starting, and provide no help to your system otherwise...if you want to upgrade your battery, a Yellow Top (or other similar deep cycle battery, there are plenty out there) will be what you're looking for.

Your lights should not be dimming with only a head unit as a load on a 100+A alternator. Get that checked out - it might be a sign of something else that's wrong.

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

I run 1000 wRMS with a 110 amp alternator without the big 3 or anything and my system works fine... check the alternator, a new battery shouldn't be necessary