Proper Wiring

I just have a question I have an amp that is 1500watts rms and has 4 40amp fuses.  I would like to know how do you determin the draw on the system in the car and if a gel battery and 5Fard cap will be ok.  If you would any imput would be great.

Generally, power wire and wire fusing is intended to provide for the maximum that an amp might pull, so you use the fuse rating of the amp to determine wiring.  4.x 40 = 160 amps, so the power wire and main wire fuse should be able to pass slightly more than that safely.

But you would determine your amp's actual amperage pull by using Ohm's Law I = sq.rt.( P / R ), using peak power rating of the amp for P.  R is the impedance load on the amp.  There are always some assumptions, though, when you are using rated power data.  Actual testing is best. 

The first question should always be:  "Will the alternator provide the current needed above and beyond what the car needs?" 

When I find that out and say its not big enough how would I go about finding a new alternator?

Captanham, you rock dude.  I read it just fine i don't use any of that stuff either does it will make you understand what you are tring to say any better I don't think so.  I help is great.  This is what I am going to do.  I have a Visonik V918XD amp, 2 MA1200XLs, MA HK3x and a MA 5fard cap.  I plan to run a dry gel in the front of the car ( replace stock battery) a dry gel in the trunk and the cap.  I am going to un 0ga from one battery to the other 0ga to the cap from the battery in the trunk and 2ga to the dist block and 2ga to the amp.  We (brother and I) and do small installs and custom fab this project is going in my car to show customers what we can do if they have the money and the time.  But, I just want to go big on mine so I know how to do one if time comes.  Smaller systems we have done nobady has had any problems but, we want to get to bigger and more challanging installs. 

Thanks Cap you the man.

Wade

try

www.highoutputalternator.com

www.ohiogen.com

i use the ohio generator, a 220amp, in my jeep, which has the same charging set up as your car, both chrysler.  it has an external regulator, adjustable upto 20vdc.  like captanham says though, it will fry your factory electrical.  i have to rewire the whole output sytem using relays and all sorts of neat tricks to bypass the computer and its internal regulator and still allow the vehicle to run when burping the system at high voltages.  pain in the butt.  definately not for everyday use,  so stick with a good strong 14-15v charging alternator and you'll be fine.