What to do on 2400w system. Battery or Alternator?

[Syphlyn]

Hey guys,

Grabbing my new gear (see sig) Friday. Going to do the box this fall and install then. I'll be running the SAZ-2000D + Alpine PFX-F4 for a total of 2400w. Until then I have a very important choice:

Current alternator is 130A stock, same with battery. Truck has 38k kilometers. Currently run 1400w and don't even see a slight hint of dimming.

1) Do I upgrade to a D3400 under the hood with the big three?

2) Do I get a 240A H/O alt from MechMan and do the big three?

I don't want to buy a battery AND alternator at least not right away. I have no future plans to go beyond 2400w at least not in this vehicle.

Would I be fine with just the D3400 under the hood? If this works I'll stick with it as doing the alternator seems like a big job + I'll need a new shorter belt.

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[csu87 10+ year member]

can you not add a battery instead of just upgrading your battery? that would be the best bet

 

[fatboytyler]

I would imagine the battery would do the trick. The front stage amp won't stress the electrical that much. And with no future upgrade plans, the alternator wouldn't be put to good use in the long run.

can you not add a battery instead of just upgrading your battery? that would be the best bet

He'd need an AGM up front then. Well he wouldn't need it, but its better. Resting voltage on standard lead acid is 12.4-12.8 whereas most AGMs (in my experience) rest around 13.8

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

You could re-core your stock alt for high output (which would not be expensive) and add a second battery. This may be your best option

 

[csu87 10+ year member]

I would imagine the battery would do the trick. The front stage amp won't stress the electrical that much. And with no future upgrade plans, the alternator wouldn't be put to good use in the long run.


He'd need an AGM up front then. Well he wouldn't need it, but its better. Resting voltage on standard lead acid is 12.4-12.8 whereas most AGMs (in my experience) rest around 13.8

It is better, but not needed at his power range

 

[Syphlyn]

can you not add a battery instead of just upgrading your battery? that would be the best bet

I would imagine the battery would do the trick. The front stage amp won't stress the electrical that much. And with no future upgrade plans, the alternator wouldn't be put to good use in the long run.


He'd need an AGM up front then. Well he wouldn't need it, but its better. Resting voltage on standard lead acid is 12.4-12.8 whereas most AGMs (in my experience) rest around 13.8

You could re-core your stock alt for high output (which would not be expensive) and add a second battery. This may be your best option

So the upgraded battery up front (D3400) would work with the big three upgrade. I was thinking similar that the H/O alt isn't necessary for only 2400w, could still be wrong though. I don't have any room in the back for a second battery anywhere as friends commonly sit on my other seats and the amps are already under both seats.

If I go with the D3400 do I have to charge it with a special charger before putting it in my truck? Or is it just take outa the box and drop it into the truck?

Thanks guys for all the help.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

I would start with what will defiantly be enough instead on guessing. Cheaper in the long run.

 

[Syphlyn]

I would start with what will defiantly be enough instead on guessing. Cheaper in the long run.

Trying to figure out what is "defiantly enough". As I'm not sure...at all

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

The part that makes the power should be first. It's the source not the storage. Batteries only work at 12.6v. That float charge they have over that is very minimal

 

[csu87 10+ year member]

if it means anything to you, i ran a 6k amp (Popcorn 6k which is technically a 7k amp, the opti 7k) off the stock alt, 2 75ah batts, 2 Kinetik 600s and the OEM 90ah battery with very little drop. amp wired to .5ohm would drop into the mid 13s which is no big deal.

 

[supra1987]

I think the HO alternator first or battery first question @2400 watts really depends on your listening habits.

 

[bgowdy 5,000+ posts]

for just 2400 watts i would do the big 3 and leave the stock batt for now and add another batt or 2 then check voltage, and go from there before getting a HO alt

 

[C1500martin 10+ year member]

This is what i mean that im comfusef on my thread which was the same thing practically i was advised do Big HO alt first and go from there. Here people saying do second battery first. There needs to be a sticky made by someone that has an electrical degree or something for everyone with this question to just go to.

 

[csu87 10+ year member]

i believe i told you a battery bank could help and the alt will just help it charge faster.

There are 2 trains of thought here. Either you upgrade the charging system or you can upgrade the battery capacity. Upgrading the charging system provides a constant-ish availability of power, but you wont be able to pull much more than your alternator can output. And in competitions that limit your revs, an alternator wont help you much. Upgrading the battery capacity provides you with a good amount of power, more than an alternator can provide, but the batteries will lose their charge eventually depending on the size, and will need to be recharged.

Upgrading both provides you with the on tap power needs that a battery can provide, and the recharging power an alternator can provide.

 

[Syphlyn]

i believe i told you a battery bank could help and the alt will just help it charge faster.
There are 2 trains of thought here. Either you upgrade the charging system or you can upgrade the battery capacity. Upgrading the charging system provides a constant-ish availability of power, but you wont be able to pull much more than your alternator can output. And in competitions that limit your revs, an alternator wont help you much. Upgrading the battery capacity provides you with a good amount of power, more than an alternator can provide, but the batteries will lose their charge eventually depending on the size, and will need to be recharged.

Upgrading both provides you with the on tap power needs that a battery can provide, and the recharging power an alternator can provide.

Well my original plan was if I noticed bad voltage drops I would upgrade my alt and down the road if/when I need a new battery just get a D3400 for under the hood. I can get a 240A mechman alt for $350 made my my f150.