Stock Alternator Power for Stereo
- Thread starter scslite
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leftyguns21
New member
scslite said:
use a CAP...jk...you may have better luck in the audio section though.
MO. i wouldnt worry about it. my 3rd gen i had 2 amps running pushing 3 JL 10W6's along with neon lights under all of the seats and in my amp rack the lights never flickered or had any issues. i was running one cap but really....youre gonna be fine.
Mike07SE
New member
Better responses might come next time from the Audio Forum.
I can understand what your asking and would like to know the amperage capacity of my stock alternator. You can most likely take it out and have a shop rewind it for you to increase it's output. Otherwise you might have to look around for a bit to see if a vendor might make them prebuilt.
I can understand what your asking and would like to know the amperage capacity of my stock alternator. You can most likely take it out and have a shop rewind it for you to increase it's output. Otherwise you might have to look around for a bit to see if a vendor might make them prebuilt.
Clemsonfan15
New member
It's not the number of amps you run, it's the wattage.
I'm glad you don't want a cap because they don't work.
The stock alt for the v6 is 120 amps I think so yours is probably the same or just a little higher.
I would say you could run somewhere around 2,000 RMS. You should probably do the big 3 also.
What amps are you thinking about running?
I'm glad you don't want a cap because they don't work.
The stock alt for the v6 is 120 amps I think so yours is probably the same or just a little higher.
I would say you could run somewhere around 2,000 RMS. You should probably do the big 3 also.
What amps are you thinking about running?
Clemsonfan15
New member
You should be fine. What kind of wire do you have?
Clemsonfan15
New member
That's not so good. 1/0 would be a TON better. Some people use 8 gauge as speaker wire. Lol.
Mike07SE
New member
Clemsonfan15 said:
Well to clarify maybe a little more, it's not so much the wattage, but the combined amperage that you're amps will draw. 2000W RMS of energy at a realistic voltage output of 13.8V will consume 144.93 amps. If the stock alternator is only putting out 120A you're going to run into issues real quick. Keep in mind that your engine, HVAC, onboard electronics need juice too!
Big three will help to a point, but not enough to gain him the difference he might need. And also, use ought gauge whenever, where ever possible.
Clemsonfan15
New member
Very true Mike. The only thing I can comment on is that at normal listening volumes you won't be drawing that many amps.
Mike07SE
New member
Clemsonfan15 said:
True, very true. Music is dynamic and it would be hard to draw that full amount of power constantly. However, and this is just me, but if I'm going to listen to my stereo at about 75-80% volume most of the time (which I do, again, just me) I need to include a margin of safety or look to upgrade. If my alty is rated at 120A and I listen to my tunes at 75% volume, I've got to figure that I'm pulling around 100A. 20A is not much of a buffer. Plus I'm not a fan of caps. Doesn't mean I won't ever use them, it's just that they're another electrical draw on the system that is used as an electrical band aid by most.
Side notes:
1. Big Three, if you're going to do it, go all the way with 0ga. However 4ga will suffice if you have that laying around.
2. Highly recommend that the power wire that is run to the distrubution block be ought and the cables to the amps 4ga. An analagy would be: What would be easier, blowing a gallon of water through 2 ft. of garden hose or a 2 foot straw?
Clemsonfan15
New member
MikesToy said:what's the big 3?
http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=152355&highlight=official+big+thread
