Cap/HO alternator

  Hi i have  a cap and yellow top  im running about 700watts nominal rms (400 sub, 280 others). Do i need a high output alternator? after how many watts do you need a HO  ALT? thanksA person who carries or proclaims important news; a messenger.

Are your lights dimming?  Whats the fuse rateing combined on all your amps?  What kind of car?2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.

Your battery new is as good as it will ever be.  As far as lights dimming goes, experiment with this:  select a music source that has hard, loud bass hits that linger (like a lot of synthesizer bass hits). With the car engine running,  and playing the system loud, watch the lights as the bass notes hit.  If the lights flicker just briefly at the beginning of the hit, but become brighter before the note ends, then that indicates a problem with getting enough juice to the amp quick enough.  This is normally corrected with a cap, which would provide a quicker response.  But if the lights stay dimmed during the complete bass hit, that indicates that the alternator is not capable of supplying enough current to meet demands.Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Depends what your stock alternator puts out. and what condition its in.  Go to a shop and have them test your charging system.  Your battery is ok, so they can see if your alternator is putting out enough juice under load.

i think ill get the ho alt thanksA person who carries or proclaims important news; a messenger.