Survey thread? Power draw/electrical upgrades

[Proximity 10+ year member]

I'm trying to decide what electrical upgrades to go for and I was thinking it'd be nice to see how much power people are running in their cars added up (rms) and what electrical systems they're running on (big 3/stock or HO alt/batteries/etc) and what they're voltage is like while playing.

Only think I can add is I was running about 900 watts with no dimming in my old neon with stock everything (guessing 70ish amp alt stock).

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[AlterEgo99 5,000+ posts]

I'm running about 1000W RMS in my '08 Silverado and I do get some lights dimming when I crank it. And that is with a stock alternator that cranks out 165 amps. So, I'll be performing the "Big 3" upgrade soon and see if that helps.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

I have a stock alt 89 s 10 big three normally run 550ish watts but have had up too 1700 watts in it and it barely dimmed..all that is done on mine is big 3 and a kinetik 1400 under the hood

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

Old car w/ old 75A alt -- 1100w w/one of the big 3 done (8 ga from alt to batt +)

about 12.5v at idle, about 13.8v at 2k. Noticable dimming at high volume.

Alt lasted 2 yrs.

Replaced with a 110A alt and it ran very well - minor high volume headlight dimming.

That was all with an old, but big (900cca) Wal-mart battery.

Blew the engine - swapped the system into a different car...

Smaller stock electrical demand, another 110A alt, same 1 wire upgrade, standard battery -- ran fine, always 14.1-14.4v, minor dimming at high volume. Upped from 1100w to 1350w. Not much change in voltage, but the alt died 2 mo. later. Went with a standard 110A replacement alt. Running just like the old one -- waiting to see longevity.

 

[Xprime4 10+ year member]

Elantra with new oem alty (90amp)

Hyundai deep cycle batt in front and 110ah agm in rear. around 2500watt rms of amps at full tilt

Usually at 14.4 in cold morning, dropping to 13.8v by itseflt when it get hot (15min drive min)

Othewise, at full tilt, dropping in the low 11v.

I'll look for a alty rewind soon. I hope i can get up to 130-150amp

Any experience with HID anyone? I heard the dimming aren't as bad with these lights

 

[Proximity 10+ year member]

Basically I'm hoping that I'll be okay to run ~3000w with a 250 amp/150 idle alternator and a big battery up front. I don't want to have to have a battery in back.

 

[Enellz 10+ year member]

Basically I'm hoping that I'll be okay to run ~3000w with a 250 amp/150 idle alternator and a big battery up front. I don't want to have to have a battery in back.

You probally will need a battery in the back, at least to get the amp at its potential.

 

[fearof85 10+ year member]

If your wanting to run 3000 rms than you have no choice other than running a second battery.

Drew