Hi Output Alt or Extra Batteries?

[LetMyBeatPound]

I have 3 choices for my current build;

Current stock alt is 90 amps. Have 60ft 2/0 ofc, I believe my amperage draw is 180amps @ RMS

1. Buy a 250 amp alternator from eBay $200 w/ 1yr warranty and buy my batteries a few weeks later.

(Its 250 at 1200 RPM, probably 120-160 at idle)

2. I have located 2x matching 12v 110 aH Sealed Deep Cycle batteries for $120 w/ 6 month replacement warranty

( Was my original plan to stay stock with alt and just put these with 2/0 Big 3 and Pwr n Grd ran back to the starting battery from these, but I was informed that the batteries are pointless with a 90amp alt because it can't even supply half what the amp needs .much less charge 3 batteries n pwr my ignition coil on top of that. And could actually end up destroying my alternator, amp, wires, etc because of the massive strain on everything. Sounds about right but idk)

3. Buy a 120 amp alternator and my batteries for about $200 mindful that idk if that is output at idle,, but I fear this will leave me in the same situation at #2 . Would just like if someone a bit more knowledgable could tell me what they think. Also was looking into 6v batteries ran in series because of the extra aH they hold

I believe I should probably go for #1 being I plan to add a 4channel to power mids and highs a bit down the road and that 250 would leave me a lil head room for that when I can get my component set.

Once again thank you all in advance for any reply you may give.

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[Hertz Mafia]

Only buy an alt from a good company like excessive amperage do not buy cheap eBay crap.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

those "250 amp" ebay alts, yeah your stock alts make more power then them lmfao... Or those ebay alts die left and right either way you buy one you are completely fked.

 

[LetMyBeatPound]

**** that *****... Where should I look? I can't find anything over 120amps for my van except once place had a 220 but it was like $780... It's bad enough I'm gonna have $1400 stereo in a $200 van and I'm already way over my $1000 budget I can put $250 maybe a little more for an alternator so am I basically screwed?

 

[Slo_Ride 5,000+ posts]

Yep. Could remove a.c. compressor and put a second stock alt in its place. Living in NM tho that would blow goats.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

**** that *****... Where should I look? I can't find anything over 120amps for my van except once place had a 220 but it was like $780... It's bad enough I'm gonna have $1400 stereo in a $200 van and I'm already way over my $1000 budget I can put $250 maybe a little more for an alternator so am I basically screwed?

try excessive amperage alts

Or just rely on agm battery power and settle with staying above 12 volts rather than 14.4. You'll have to recharge the batt every month with a battery charger depending on how hard you run your system.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Haha....over budget. Welcome to car audio...It's worse than crack....quoted from Jeff.

 

[Kingbudman]

When I put a H.O. alt in my escort the only place I could find who made one is DB Electrical.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

When I put a H.O. alt in my escort the only place I could find who made one is DB Electrical.

https://www.dbelectrical.com/alternators/automotive/chevrolet/s-10/4-3-liter/ Those are the same exact alts I keep seeing on ebay.

 

[Kingbudman]

The 200A I put in my escort was great, ran for 2 years and held at 14.4 with no headlight dimming when connected to a SQ2200 that I clamped over 2300W. It is still working but I don't have the system in that car anymore but the car is still driven daily. I got mine from their website and it's American made in Tennessee.

 

[West1 10+ year member]

PM SounDrive

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/electrical-wiring-classifieds/633510-alternator-blowout-sale.html#post8911753

I got a HO mechman 270 shipped @ 399.00 for my Nissan frontier.

 

[LetMyBeatPound]

How is the proper way to calculate amperage draw?

RMS x Efficiency / Voltage

Or

Peak Power x Efficiency / Voltage

And if my combined RMS of my subs is 1500w should I go by that?

I also found another formula that says this is the correct way:

RMS x 1.335 x Efficiency x Voltage

Because I believe I calculated wrong, 180amp draw seems high.

I was using 65% to 70% for my Efficiency but idk if that is correct either. Any help in this area would be appreciated. Also I didn't find any alternator for my ride @ mechman, excessive, us alternator, or the singer sites. Only things I found was that EBAY junker( all neg feedback was about alternators for that seller ) and I call this auto part warehouse seller/distributor and he qouted me $125+$20 for a 200 amp/ 100@ idle... But the price makes me a bit skeptical.

 

[West1 10+ year member]

PM SounDrive. The story I was told is you place an order, mechman guts a new alternator upgrades it to an HO, it then ships to you after inspection.

 

[LetMyBeatPound]

try excessive amperage alts
Or just rely on agm battery power and settle with staying above 12 volts rather than 14.4. You'll have to recharge the batt every month with a battery charger depending on how hard you run your system.

The SounDrive guy said they don't have any that fit my ride, and the guy from Excessive Alternators emailed me back with a 250amp slot alt @ $450 and 300amp hairpin @ $550.

Both very much outta my range a the moment but at least I know what I want and need now so for me that's a huge positive.

Guess I'll go with the 200amp for $145 n get my batteries and as I sell off all my current stuff that should get me most of the way toward $550. 7 subs 4 boxes 2 amps and 3 wire kits... Hell at $25 a piece that's $400 lol n I should be able to get a lil more than that.

Thanks @ Jeff, you helped me find the needle in the haystack lol

 

[tymoto21 10+ year member]

Op what amp are you powering?

I would get 2 decent batteries and get the alt later

If you skimp on the alt now it will be thrown out when you get the new one

Batteries will be good