How much can my electrical system handle?

[Gregory 10+ year member]

On my 2003 Toyota Tundra V8? It is a completely stock electrical system, but it has the towing package which includes a 130-amp alternator.

I'm looking to power one RE XXX 12, and I was thinking about 1200 watts.

Later on, I want to power some component speakers, so I need to "leave room" for a little more juice to power some components.

About how much power can my stock electrical system handle here? I'm talking to not starve the amp, and not considerably dim the lights when I'm bumpin, etc.

Thoughts? Comments?

Click to read more...

 

[Nikuk 5,000+ posts]

Assuming that you are talking about a total of 1500rms for the audio:

If you're amp's are 60% efficient, you are looking at around a 160amp draw @ 14.0vDc to transfer 2200 watts.

That doesn't sound right... I'm not awake yet, hopefully someone else will see this in the meantime.

-Nick

 

[Gregory 10+ year member]

Yah, I think ~1400-1600w RMS would suffice to power both my sub and my components.

I'm curious as to where you got 2200w. With my calculations, if my amps were 60% efficient, it would draw 2500w. Maybe I'm missing something here?

I'm just looking for about how much power my electrical system can handle. That's all!

 

[Gregory 10+ year member]

anybody?

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

http://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[Gregory 10+ year member]

****.

Going by that sheet, I can only power about 800w RMS. Phuk

Uhhh, so am I going to be able to power over 1000w or not?

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

800RMS constant. Doesnt mean you cant have a 1200W RMS amp //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

Thats just a genaral guide, some people (like myself) run way over that guide

I have a crappy 150A alt an an amp that can pull over 400A

 

[Str8Up 10+ year member]

I have a stock 125amp alternator. I'm running a Brutus 1500D, and 200wrms amp for mids and highs. I only have minnor dimming at stop lights at night. Daytime, no problem. Though, I don't turn up my sub amp to car rattling levels for normal listening. Only for occasional, brief, 5 minutes max sessions will I turn it full blast.

IMO, if you go ported/vented it's a lot easier on your electrical system to get to any given volume level than in a sealed setup. Efficiency plays a major role in how much power you NEED. From what I hear, the XXX series is horribly inefficient, so porting would definately help so you wouldn't NEED to have to pour big wattage into it. But in a truck, with the output capabilities of the XXX series, you probably wouldn't need it's full RMS rating to get to a sound pressure level that is more than enough for daily listening.

Ported/vented if you want more spl for your wattage...

 

[ighettoboyi 10+ year member]

you'll be fine. a pinto would be questionable

 

[btnhfan 5,000+ posts]

I ran 1400w off my little 65 amp civic alternator for a while. You will be fine.

 

[Gregory 10+ year member]

Sweet, so I bought an eDesigns nine.1. It's advertised at 1200@1, but I've read that they usually put out closer to 1500. Plus, the protection circuit is supposed to be pretty good.

I'm glad that I'm going to be fine! Ahhh, this is a relief.

 

[wj94 10+ year member]

I have a Nine.1 and an Arc CXL2100 (200w total RMS) with a 140A stock Mustang alternator and get very minor dimming at night when idle, but it's fine other than that. I'm planning on doing the big 3 as soon as I get a break from classes.