Problem with HO alt. Help!

[wj94 10+ year member]

I bought a 240A alternator from Iraggi a few months ago and just got around to having it installed about 2 weeks ago. A Hawker Odyssey battery and the big 3 was done with 1/0 gauge as well. The amplifiers are a Tsunami db1800t and Cadence Z8000 (total RMS = roughly 2100w), although it shouldn't be drawing full wattage constantly for music.

When I drive at night, my lights still dim a decent amount, even when the RPMs are 1800+. Honestly, I'm a little disappointed after having spent $500 to upgrade the electrical system. I know amps aren't 100% efficient and can draw a lot of amperage, but it doesn't seem like the HO alt. is making a big difference over the stock 130A alternator. Is there any way I can test the output of the alternator to ensure it's doing the job right?

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[InhumanAcura 5,000+ posts]

get the alt benched...

i dont understand why people go out and spend an assload on a ho alt when they can spend a fraction of that on a secondary battery..which in your case, will solve your problem...

 

[wj94 10+ year member]

Where can I get it benched? Every place I see only tests voltage, not amperage. I'm not an electrical expert, I just heard "HO Alt this, HO Alt that" and wanted to get it done right the first time, rather than doing something else and having problems down the line and spending even more money.

 

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

get the alt benched...
i dont understand why people go out and spend an assload on a ho alt when they can spend a fraction of that on a secondary battery..which in your case, will solve your problem...

Because people like me can only have one battery in their SPL class. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Any i know that my HO alt solved my dimming problems while i was driving (parked is another story). I'd definitely see if you can get the output tested somewhere.

 

[InhumanAcura 5,000+ posts]

we can only have a single battery as well...

he has a ho alt, he's done the big 3, and has a good battery....seems the only thing he can do is throw a second battery in.

if competing is a concern, just take the second battery out..only takes a minute.

 

[wj94 10+ year member]

I don't compete. Perhaps I'll look into a yellow-top or equivelent for the trunk.