Is my stock alt enough

[BulldogSr04 10+ year member]

I have a 140 amp alternator in my car //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/driving.gif.c4dead4599dda895032b63e51f52b126.gif . Is it enough for a hifonics bx1500 and a kicker 300.4? I might just get a yellow top.

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[mattj 5,000+ posts]

Hmm you may get slight dimming at high volumes. Might wanna look into getting your alternator rewound for a little higherr output. Id say install it first and see.

 

[cwzilly 10+ year member]

If your going to install the stuff anywise, then do so to see how things work out. If you get constant dimming lights and other electrical problems then you may need a better aftermarket module or a rebuilt (I cant help you here--don’t have a clue). If your lights just dim every time your sub hit’s a load BOOM, but is fine most of the other times; then I would just get a capacitor and it should help. I will list the formulas to estimate your systems current draws. It basically depends on if your play your stem at low volumes, or if you crank it with your high-beam lights on---it varies.

To estimate your alternators reserve current tack your alternators amp ratting (witch would be 140amp in your case) and times it by 40%, so 140x.40=56amps “estimated” left to power your system.

To calculate how much your amps will draw; times the number of channels by the RMSwatts per channel. If you have more than one amp, add the individual draws together for a grand total. Double it and divide by 13.8 This will give you an “estimation” of your systems amps required (and you have possibly 56amps).

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif i had the alternators reserve current formula mimorized, but had to look up the amplifiers current draw in my handy Car Stereo Cookbook.

 

[jbl_marshall21 10+ year member]

well most amps come with a booklet, saying all the specifications. well my amps had a booklet that said how many amps they pulled, and it said to add these when seeing how many amps ur pulling. look around urs and see if u can find anything.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

That's a hell of a big alt. I don't think you should have any problems, but stranger things have happened.

 

[60_cent 10+ year member]

My car has a 140a alt.

All I did was a yellow top under the hood and a batcap in the trunk. I running a Memphis Belle MC1300D, it has 6 30amp fuses. I running 2 gauge power from the battery and 0 gauge ground to the batcap, 4 gauge to the amp.

So far no problems, I get very little dimming at full volume with accessories on.

 

[somekook 10+ year member]

dimming lights cant be fixed with a bigger alternator, but can be fixed with a capacitor. 1800 watts requires 144 amps at 12.5 volts. at 14 volts it takes about 130

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

dimming lights cant be fixed with a bigger alternator, but can be fixed with a capacitor. 1800 watts requires 144 amps at 12.5 volts. at 14 volts it takes about 130

But music is not a test tone.

 

[mulisharider10 10+ year member]

Think of this real quick, i have a 93 honda civic with a lanzar 1500d amp. Barly any dimming, and the alt is stock, i think its a 75 amp alt. it holds fine, i do have a new yellow top under the hood, that probly helps alot. Also, on the amp, the gain is set about 1/4 up, and the bass boost is adjustable on the dash, but all the way up, the lights dim a lil bit.

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

Quote:

"dimming lights cant be fixed with a bigger alternator, but can be fixed with a capacitor. 1800 watts requires 144 amps at 12.5 volts. at 14 volts it takes about 130"

sigh........caps wont help an electrical system that is already struggeling(sp?).........

 

[ss3079 5,000+ posts]

Doooooble post.

- Steve //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/banghead.gif.8606515f668c74f6de0281deb475b6fd.gif

 

[ss3079 5,000+ posts]

dimming lights cant be fixed with a bigger alternator, but can be fixed with a capacitor. 1800 watts requires 144 amps at 12.5 volts. at 14 volts it takes about 130

Amps won't always draw that much current, hence n2audio's comment.

Also, you're forgetting efficiency. Not all are 100% efficient //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

Try it out, see if your lights dim. I'm sure if you push it hard they may dim at higher volumes. A high output alternator is always a good investment.

- Steve

 

[awalbert88 10+ year member]

Amps won't always draw that much current, hence n2audio's comment.Also, you're forgetting efficiency. Not all are 100% efficient //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

The day someone produces a 100% efficient amp will be a glorious day indeed. Unfortunately, it will never happen, barring some incredible breakthrough in human understanding of thermodynamics.

 

[myowngod316 10+ year member]

i am going to be putting a MTX 1500D in my 95 civic ex and i was wondering if anyone thinks i will need to upgrade my alt.? i know mulisharider10 was saying he had a 93 civic with a yellow top and that worked so i was just making sure it would work fine.. thanks

Jay

 

[jbl_marshall21 10+ year member]

You should have minor or no problems with the BX1500D and your 140 ampere alternator.
However, the 1501D combined with a Civic alternator will, in all probability, be trouble ...

140 amp stock alt. not bad. that'll be fine.

the mtx won't be with a civic. i'm guessing like 160-200 would do. those things draw some power.