Thoughts on electrical requirements.

[kingpin_jeffie 10+ year member]

Well this summer Im making the switch from my 15A to a HC18. I have the new amp to push it narrowed down to either a JBL 1200.1, Hifonics BX1500d, PG Tantrum 1200.1, Tsunami db1100d or a Visionik V900xd. So I just want to get some input on whether or not you guys think Ill be needing some major electrical system upgrades. My Vic has a stock 95 amp alt and I'm going to be replacing my stock battery with a yellow top here in the next few weeks. Also Ive already done the big 3 upgrade with 0 gauge. So is an alternator rewind in my immediate future? If so think 120A should be sufficient? Or do you think Ill be alright with the stock 95A?

Thanks guys

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[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

It all depends on how hard you push it. If you listen at a resonable level then you might be OK. Judging by the fact that you are installing an 18, I'm guessing that not to be your standard listening level. Something is coming to me...It's big...It looks like and alternator. Go big early. You will save time and money by getting a big one and having maybe a bit too much rather than getting a marginally bigger one and realizing that you need bigger still.

 

[kingpin_jeffie 10+ year member]

So i was searching the bowels of sd.com and found this little guy

http://forum.sounddomain.com/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=007867#000006

the part which interests me is that after calulating maximum current draw you multiply by three to acheive your amp's normal current draw. Any merit to this?

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

It's divide by 3. Music isn't pure sine wave test tones. It has dynamics. Your amp would draw max current at full power with a sine wave. If you are listening to music, it will not reach full power continuously and the current demand will decrease as a result. It's just a rough estimate, not hard and fast numbers. Depending on your music and your setup it could be more of less than that.

 

[kingpin_jeffie 10+ year member]

Alright yea sorry I just saw that. I meant multiply by 1/3.

Alright im following you thanks for the input. Have anything else to add, anyone?

 

[BooLeaN 10+ year member]

Well I figure that a bigger alt won't hurt at all. If you are going to get a new alt, I would suggest getting something big like 160-200 amps. You would probably be alright with 120 but for a little more money you could have something like 200ish. I just decided to get an alt for myself and I had choices of 140 amps for 240, 160 for 280 and 200 for 320. I chose the 200 because if I ever want another amp, I will need 200 amps atleast. I figure it's better to go a bit overboard so you have some head room.