How to determine the right size Alt?

[cjj2d 10+ year member]

I am trying to decide what size HO alt to go with, either a 180 or 200 amp.

I will be running three amps:

1 1400 watt sub amp

1 300 watt comp amp

1 300-600 watt midbass amp

approx: 2300 total at most.

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[kronik 10+ year member]

200

Not much more expensive, more room for upgrades.. though the 180 will be sufficient for that system. Of course, you'll be able to blast it more often with the 200 amp.. the current pull at clipping is approximately 220A.

 

[cjj2d 10+ year member]

I am looking at getting in on the Iraggi alt group buy.

I can get a 200 amp (120 idle) alt with lifetime warranty for $400 after the discount (if a few more people get in on it) or with the current discount it would be $430.

Just kinda on the line if I want to do it, I have heard good and bad about Iraggi alts. But they are just down the road from me so if anything went wrong I would just take it to them, no shipping hassles.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

I'd go with an alternator capable of producing at least the wattage your amplifiers will produce ...
2300/14.4 = 160 amperes

Remember, an altnernator running at 30% capacity is much more likely to last longer than an alternator running at 90% capacity ...

Can't argue with that, but I think it should be mentioned that an amp/system that is capable of drawing 160A on a test bench playing tones is not going to draw even half that playing music.

Allowing for efficiency 160(.7) = 228A

Continuous current draw - even at full volume isn't going to top 100A.