Need to Feed My Hungry Monster In The Trunk

[P2K 10+ year member]

Hey, I just got a Audiobahn High Current Amp for my subs. Might I say...wow, this beast kicks the tar out of them and doesn't even get warm. I also kicks the tar out of my electrical system. I have a fairly new car and the subs are perfect for about 5 minutes, then dimming of lights gets worse and it kicks into protect mode. After the beats the lights go back to full capacity so the alternator isn't the problem. I have it wired up to the subs correctly and I was wondering if anyone had ideas. I bought the car used so it might still have the same battery from 1999 which could make some serious sense why it can't feed this monster amp. Also I hear upgrading the "Big 3" under the hood does wonders. Can local places do that for you or is this another fun project for me? and if it is...where do you suggest getting wires and such? Also a Optima yellow top is sounding really good, is it better to buy online? Any ideas or feedback would be highly appreciated.

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My system:

Pioneer Premier DEH-P850MP

4 Pioneer Aftermarket Speakers

2 Audiobahn 12's

Audiobahn High Current A2200HCQ

ACAP1Q 1 Farad Cap

Klaus Audio Custom Box 1.3 sq ft per side. (I highly recommend these guys http://www.klausaudio.com)

Click to read more...

 

[Matador 10+ year member]

alt upgrade, n wat car u got

 

[bigred78797 10+ year member]

Yeah the high current amps do draw a tad bit of power since they do have an unrestricted draw circuitry.. so they draw what they need reguardless of what u have and if you don't have it they go into protect. I would conscider upgrading your alternator and installing a second battery near the amp. But the main thing is the alternator you get that, your set.

 

[P2K 10+ year member]

Thanx, gotta love the overnight reply. You people are awesome.

 

[P2K 10+ year member]

What size do you recommend I get for this A2200HCQ amp? I might add a small four channel for the inside speakers. 150 amps? 200 amps? About what is good to work with? And I have a 1999 Ford Contour and finding alternators on the net hasn't been very easy. Is there any good places or is the local shop the best place to go to? Thanks

 

[MTX BUMPA 10+ year member]

try ebay

_or_

http://www.h-oalternators.com

http://www.meangreen.com

 

[Jarden]

You want to be careful if you go for the two battery route... in case one of the battery's die's then it usually takes out the other battery as well. So if you put a fuse in between the two batteries that should take care of that problem... Another thing is if your stock altornator goes out, it usually kills the battery(s).. so to be on the safe side I would replace the altornator, and I would spend a little extra to get a higher amp alternator than what the stock is, if nothing else you now how old the altornator is, because they tend to die out on a steady basis. Also if your lights are still dimming with the higher amp altornator you now know that it probibly isnt the altornator that you have to swap out or replace to take care of the light problem.

later...