What point to add new bat/alt...

[bigt 10+ year member]

Really quickly....At what point do you add a new battery and alternator because im thinking of running around 2000watts rms and im curious to know if I will need those.

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[thatkidbob 10+ year member]

if we assume 80% efficiency at 2000 watts you'll be pulling 173.6 amps. if you want to be able to do full power for any amount of time you'll need a new alt, as 173 amps on a stock alt equals SERIOUS dimming.

a second battery helps, but not so much as an HO alternator.

 

[phyphoestilic 5,000+ posts]

It'd help if u said what kinda car u have, or the stock alt's amp output.

 

[bigt 10+ year member]

99 grand cherokee, I was looking for a ballpark range to see what I might need if i want it to do its full potiential.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

You won't put out 2000W ever (unless you compete) so don't even worry about max current draw. It really is impossible to say what you will need to do because every system is different. Current consumption is going to be dictated by the amps you use the music that you listen to and how loud you run it. Before you worry about a new alt and/or a second battery, make sure that your wiring is at least adequate if not overkill. Without proper wiring, you won't have any indication of the actual status of you electrics nor will you see the benefit of any upgrades that you might do.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

if we assume 80% efficiency at 2000 watts you'll be pulling 173.6 amps. if you want to be able to do full power for any amount of time you'll need a new alt, as 173 amps on a stock alt equals SERIOUS dimming.
a second battery helps, but not so much as an HO alternator.

2000 watts = 1 battery . kinetic 2000 or 2400 and it would even cover it for burps. ....but like taxi says it depends on what he has