enough power?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=12181
Printed Date: July 17, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Topic: enough power?
Posted By: i3nfamou6s
Subject: enough power?
Date Posted: April 14, 2003 at 1:13 AM
I have a 98 ford explorer sport. If i use a 200A alternator, with an optima D34/78 battery, will my lights still dim with an amp pushing out 900w? what about 2200w?
Replies:
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: April 14, 2003 at 8:11 AM
You should not have any problems but it will all depend on what else you have running along with the system as far as accessories.
-------------
Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: CCRoadshop
Date Posted: April 14, 2003 at 9:24 PM
^agreed
-------------
Installer - Circuit City Roadshop(2 1/2 years n counting)
------------------
Alpine CDA7894(soon to be the cda9815)
Pioneer XM unit(soon to be direct link alpine)
Audiovox 995C alarm/remote start
Posted By: speedwayaudio1
Date Posted: April 14, 2003 at 10:09 PM
no problems dude
-------------
Big Dave
Posted By: i3nfamou6s
Date Posted: April 14, 2003 at 10:42 PM
if my battery gague drops drastically when my subs hit w/the 900w amp w/the optima battery, does that mean there is a problem with my alternator?
Posted By: wvsquirrel
Date Posted: April 14, 2003 at 11:20 PM
Not necessarily a problem, but it would indicate that the alternator is not strong enough to handle the load on its own and forced the system to rely on the battery. Have you ever considered a second battery setup? ------------- Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: April 14, 2003 at 11:28 PM
Most of the newer amplifier ( high end ones ) have enough MOSFET power supplies & capacitors to supply the amplifier with the juice it requires without stressing out the electrical system. If your still haveing troubles with the electrical system, then either upgrade the alternator or look at the wiring gauge for the battery and the alternator that you have. try to upgrade the wiring first as this is cheaper than trying to upgrade the alternator. Alot of people neglect the gauge of wires for the battery and alternator and automatically start with the most obvious and find out later that it was not. Did you upgrade any of the wires for the battery or alternator when you replaced them ? ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: tdsteele
Date Posted: April 15, 2003 at 11:09 AM
I agree with Velocity, need to make sure you have a good grounding on the battery/starter before i would worry about anything else. Im pushing roughly 1000 watts in my 93 explorer with no problems and i didnt upgrade my battery or alternator, just made sure i had good connections and proper wiring on everything. Caps and high output alts may be necessary for some systems but for most its just a waste of money in my opinion.
Posted By: i3nfamou6s
Date Posted: April 15, 2003 at 4:16 PM
ok... there's 8 gague wiring from the alternator to the battery, another 8 gague going 2 the ground (i'm not sure from where, it goes directly into a tube and then to somewhere), and a smaller wire about 6 inches long directly bolted from the negative battery slot to the car... any suggestions? (i have the stock terminals on it as well...
Posted By: i3nfamou6s
Date Posted: April 15, 2003 at 10:50 PM
ok... made some adjustments tonight, helped, but i'm not fully satisfied yet. i put a 4 gague ground to the battery, and changed the terminals on the battery... the wire from my alternator to my battery is in fact an 8 gague wire... i take it i'm going to have to do something about this, considering my alternator is over 150A, and only 90A of it is being used. will running another 8 gague off the alternator along with the one already run solve my problem?
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: April 17, 2003 at 12:09 AM
Try running another 8 guage wire from the alternator to the battery. The 150 Amp alternator should be more than enough to power your entire system in the vehicle. Post your results.
-------------
Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
|