Why don't we connect power wires to the alternator?

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

I was just thinking about this today. Don't know why I never thought of it before.

Why don't we run amp power wires to the alternator?

It would just eliminate the little bit of voltage drop in the wire between the alt and batt.

Is it a noise thing?

Safety thing?

Size of the stud problem?

Click to read more...

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

I believe it's because the main power is actually drawn from the batt, and the alt just recharges the batt. So you would actually be creating a bigger voltage drop because your making the path from the amp to the batt even longer...

 

[memphis_vette 10+ year member]

I believe it's because the main power is actually drawn from the batt, and the alt just recharges the batt. So you would actually be creating a bigger voltage drop because your making the path from the amp to the batt even longer...

i agree. rather put more stress on the batt rather than alty.

 

[terra 5,000+ posts]

Doubt the alt could respond quickly enough.

 

[kyleorsini 10+ year member]

mines been connected to teh alt since june, and no problems, voltaqge drop wasnt ever a issue and had 2 batts in the trunk, but when i add my next couple runs of 1/0 i think i will add the other ones to the battery, and i will have a better batt up front as opposed to the stock now.

 

[Rich B 5,000+ posts]

The battery acts like a noise filter.

Alternators with all those diodes and the windings whirling around inside an electro-magnet are noisy.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

mines been connected to teh alt since june, and no problems, voltaqge drop wasnt ever a issue and had 2 batts in the trunk, but when i add my next couple runs of 1/0 i think i will add the other ones to the battery, and i will have a better batt up front as opposed to the stock now.

Well your amps are connected to the batteries in the back correct? That's fine, as long as your amp power line is connected to a battery, I believe the OP is talking about directly connecting an amp to the alt.

 

[kyleorsini 10+ year member]

yess alt + to rear bat +, yeah i tried lol

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

I believe it's because the main power is actually drawn from the batt, and the alt just recharges the batt. So you would actually be creating a bigger voltage drop because your making the path from the amp to the batt even longer...

i agree. rather put more stress on the batt rather than alty.

No - the alt is the highest voltage source in the system - so by the definition of voltage it will be the power supply until its current reaches its limit - at which point the battery would become the source at 12.5-13v.

Doubt the alt could respond quickly enough.

Or would it respond quicker since the voltage change won't be as effected by the battery and wiring from there to the alt?

The battery acts like a noise filter.Alternators with all those diodes and the windings whirling around inside an electro-magnet are noisy.

That seems logical, but I've also read that with all the different circuits beginning and ending near the battery it is actually a hot spot for noise, and the alt, being the highest voltage source is actually a "quiet" location for power.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

Battery also acts as a filter that removes spikes from the alt output.

 

[ahole-ic]

As stated before, the current is drawn from this highest source of potential. The battery only acts as a filter if there is a drop in voltage to where it can discharge. In a parallel circuit, it should not matter where you connect the amplifier. I wish some of you would take a basic electronics class. You get on here acting like you know but you don't have a clue. Batteries do not filter spikes very well. Yes when the voltage go up their parasitic drain goes up with it, but not enough to rid the electrical system of the spike like a capacitor would.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

Charging System Basics

You will notice they tend to agree with you until you get to the lights dimming and then the Warning!!!!. An alt will lag behind no matter what because the amplifier is asking for juice and the alt/voltage regulator has to adjust as it does not put out constant power all of the time (only as much as it needs). If your system can draw more power than the alt can put out at anytime it will need the battery be it at low speed/parked or simply put have an amplifier far too big for the alt.

 

[ahole-ic]

Charging System BasicsYou will notice they tend to agree with you until you get to the lights dimming and then the Warning!!!!. An alt will lag behind no matter what because the amplifier is asking for juice and the alt/voltage regulator has to adjust as it does not put out constant power all of the time (only as much as it needs). If your system can draw more power than the alt can put out at anytime it will need the battery be it at low speed/parked or simply put have an amplifier far too big for the alt.

They agree with me the whole time. The situation you just stated does not disagree with what I said at all.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

Sure and we all just hook stuff up to batteries for the hell of it. Its not like the voltage wouldn't be all over the place running directly off the alt.

 

[power-fanatic07 5,000+ posts]

I believe it's because the main power is actually drawn from the batt, and the alt just recharges the batt. So you would actually be creating a bigger voltage drop because your making the path from the amp to the batt even longer...

this

i agree. rather put more stress on the batt rather than alty.

and this