Running two alternators
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=30529
Printed Date: April 29, 2024 at 3:17 AM
Topic: Running two alternators
Posted By: marcus831
Subject: Running two alternators
Date Posted: April 16, 2004 at 11:01 PM
Hope you guys can help. I drive a 1997 dodge grand caravan se. I am running (2) JL audio 15" subs on a cadence "A7HC" amp (2) Rockford HX2 on a 1600 watt vibe pro amp plus 2 sets of componet speaker and a pair of pioneer 6x9. running off of a 5 channel alpine amp. Here is my question, is it possible to run a second alternator in my caravan with out alot of hassle? I went to a speed shop to get a after market high output alternator, but the guy told me that it would burn out the cars wiring system. I wll take all suggestions. If someone has a better way of running all this stuff on less "amps" feel free to give a step by step.
Replies:
Posted By: icu400
Date Posted: April 16, 2004 at 11:20 PM
An alternator is mounted directly on the belt and has to be bolted to the engine assembly. In addition you would have to run wires from the second alternator into the circuitry, which would be WAY more work than you can dream of. The reason it might burn out your wiring is that the car probably has crappy wiring installed to save money from the manufacturer. So now, there is no way to install a second alternator, but I suppose you could upgrade the current one and upgrade some of the wiring as well, but that gets rather pricy.......
Posted By: Mikeyman1978
Date Posted: April 16, 2004 at 11:46 PM
Hi heres another idea my buddy did this He had his alternator built on i think he gets like 2000 amps, also he had 2 farad capacitors put into his car as well, works great for him, hes rpowering some serious stuff to. Hope it helps
Posted By: icu400
Date Posted: April 16, 2004 at 11:55 PM
first of all, 2000 amps is a TON of current, your alternator will only put out 100 if you are lucky, 2000 amps comes closer to running your house than your car
a capacitor mearly holds charge, all it will do is take more from the battery/alternator to charge it up, i do not believe that will help
Posted By: Mikeyman1978
Date Posted: April 17, 2004 at 12:11 AM
My bad i pressed 0 1 to many times supposed to read 200 amps not 2k
Posted By: icu400
Date Posted: April 17, 2004 at 12:21 AM
hehe, i figured it was something like that :P
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: April 17, 2004 at 1:20 AM
A single high output alternator would suffice quite fine for you. A good high capacity battery and upgraded grounds / main power wires would also be a good safe bet. A new alternator will not be putting out more voltage, which would fry many electrical components, it will produce more current, however to there must be a device to draw that current, like a nice big fat stereo system. I really doubt that you will be frying anything when you upgrade the alternator to a high output model and also do the recommended wiring upgrades. 2000 amps, hehe. that was a beaut.
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Posted By: marcus831
Date Posted: April 17, 2004 at 9:17 PM
Thanks guys for your input. I think I will go with the high output alternator and see what happens. I will keep you posted.
Posted By: rjmtoad
Date Posted: April 18, 2004 at 9:47 AM
To answer your question ,yes you can hook an aditional alternator to your system. the weapon of choice is usually the Delco Remy alternator from GM vehicles 1970 to1990 . The only wireing you need is a large cable from the post on the back of the alternator to battery positive and two smaller wires ,one switched one live all the time to the regulator plug in on the side of the alternator. The connector farthest away from the post on the back of the must be the switched wire or the battery will be drained when not in use. I have done this many times it won't burn out wireing or affect the veihcles original alternator in any way. ------------- rjmtoad
Posted By: customsuburb
Date Posted: April 18, 2004 at 9:51 AM
Just stick with replacing your stock alternator with a high output one.
Posted By: crudeau
Date Posted: April 19, 2004 at 8:15 AM
I usually replace my alternators with ones from www.mralternator.com When I install them, I upgrade the wire from the alternator to the engine fuse block with a 1/0 gauge, and from that fuse block to the battery. Then I upgrade the battery ground to a 1/0 gauge. And I always put the car up on a lift and install a bunch of grounds connecting the bottom of the engine to the frame. I use misc. bolts down there and you can't see them under the car. Other then then the 1/0 to the trunk, that's all I change. Like $20 for wire, all of the pieces are very short. I haven't had any issues, and Mr. Alternator has a great product line and the quality is awesome.
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