do i need a high powered alt.

Hi what I'm doing to my 78 Nova is I'm gonna use a 5 channel amp and add one CIG charger and a set of hid headlights and a KICKER ZX700.5 (11-ZX700.5) amp. do you think high powered amp is necessary or the stock 63 amp should do1993 sdv

Alpine 4x6 6x9 5 1/4 swr-10d4

alpine v60

12.5 VGA flip down

Nettop pc w/10" touch screen

78nova

5-re audio 5x7 ,10" sub &

Xtx-500.5

"Take the faceplate off get the jumperpack"

Only if the existing alternator voltage is insufficient during normal use.

True I known newer cars can handle 10% more than needed but this is such an old car so long story short I'm going to need a high output1993 sdv

Alpine 4x6 6x9 5 1/4 swr-10d4

alpine v60

12.5 VGA flip down

Nettop pc w/10" touch screen

78nova

5-re audio 5x7 ,10" sub &

Xtx-500.5

"Take the faceplate off get the jumperpack"

still_walkin wrote: newer cars can handle 10% more than needed

Question #1 - where is that info from?

I read it on a forum on this site I'm guessing your saying its incorrect1993 sdv

Alpine 4x6 6x9 5 1/4 swr-10d4

alpine v60

12.5 VGA flip down

Nettop pc w/10" touch screen

78nova

5-re audio 5x7 ,10" sub &

Xtx-500.5

"Take the faceplate off get the jumperpack"

From my experience you can get away with up to 500w with a analog amp,that is driving a subwoofer, with the stock alt. if you are using a 1 farad cap to spread the amps load out. If you're usung a digital amp which are much more effecient you can use a highe wattage amp. But like oldspark said total draw while in use is the determining factor based on voltage under load. If you can't turn on and use what you would normally use and maintain at least 12.5v full load then bigger alt will be needed as a reference.

True however capacitor is to store power when you need it .but have can I store it if I didn't have to spare in the first place. Me personally I would do the Ho alternator and big 3 but I trying to keep the car original as possible and the big 3 under the hood is gonna be noticeable. But a high output factory bolt on won't be noticeable1993 sdv

Alpine 4x6 6x9 5 1/4 swr-10d4

alpine v60

12.5 VGA flip down

Nettop pc w/10" touch screen

78nova

5-re audio 5x7 ,10" sub &

Xtx-500.5

"Take the faceplate off get the jumperpack"

oldspark wrote: Only if the existing alternator voltage is insufficient during normal use.

Once again follow above. If you're running a sub you will need a cap with whatever alt you choose to use as the are not designed to take large spikes. And caps are designed to store voltage yes, but for the purpose of smoothing spikes which kills alternators. A large amount of people don't and replace alts because of it. See it all the time. As long as you can matian 12.5 volts or above with normal use for you then it won't be a problem.

Understand what your saying here's another scenarioin my other car I was using 3 digital amps and no cap one high output and a red top w/ the big3 and the voltage stayed above 12.5 and the salt has been running fine going on 4 years . But this is a more esessive example that caps are not as good as they seem. I decided I just going to upgrade the charging system and get a high output but hide the big 31993 sdv

Alpine 4x6 6x9 5 1/4 swr-10d4

alpine v60

12.5 VGA flip down

Nettop pc w/10" touch screen

78nova

5-re audio 5x7 ,10" sub &

Xtx-500.5

"Take the faceplate off get the jumperpack"

Key word "DIGITAL" which means less power draw per watt. The Amp you listed is a Class AB not D = digital. And Red Top Battery by design is simular to a cap and battery in design due to it's low internal resistence, unlike a standard battery. So to a point you can use a Red Top and no Cap.