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Electrical System Updgrade Neded Y/N?

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=47783
Printed Date: July 09, 2025 at 7:37 PM


Topic: Electrical System Updgrade Neded Y/N?

Posted By: blg748
Subject: Electrical System Updgrade Neded Y/N?
Date Posted: January 15, 2005 at 3:20 PM

This is what im running

A pair of Infinity Perfects Kappa's 6.1 Powered by a ALpine MRV-t320 using it at 80WRMS*2 @ 4OHMS. So this thing MAX will DRAW 160WRMS.

THen im running a JL audio 12w3v2 D2. Powered by a Phoenix Gold Tantrim 300.2. It is getting close to 340WRMS *1 @4ohms.

That means the maximum power used by my system is aaboout  500WRMS. now the car this is in is a 1999 Honda Civic LX 4dr. Usually i listen to rap but lately been listening to other type of music mostly Punjabi Mixes. WHen i listen to rap eg Ludacris the bass in these songs is insane when i play ludacris i have to turn the bass volume to about 2/15 on the deck otherwise the bass is just insane and my lights dim. I like the bass i get when im playing ludacris at about sub vol at 8/15 but the lights just dim at this setting. my bass boost on amp is liek maybe at 2/18 at most. anyways ive read that lights dimming is not a good thing. What is my best solution here? The dealer were i got my speakers installed said that my car should be fine up to 500-600WRMs without needing any kind of electrical upgrade. But lights dimming is not a good thing. WHat do you guys suggest i do?

PS running 1 2guage to phoeinx amp and 1 8 or 10 guage , cant remember, to the alpine amp. and the deck is a alpine 9831 if you wanted to know.




Replies:

Posted By: dwarren
Date Posted: January 15, 2005 at 3:35 PM

well you do some simple math by checking the fuses on the amps, when you get this number, compare it your alternator, but if you are seeing the lights dimming, you may need to upgrade your alt, don't bother with caps.



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Posted By: blg748
Date Posted: January 15, 2005 at 3:54 PM
i know not to bother with caps. the AMp on the PG AMp is a 30AMP fuse and the AMp on the ALine amp is a 30AMP fuse aswell. so a total of 60AMPs curent draw and maybe 10Amps or less for the Deck so thats 70Amps. how do i figure out my alternator output?




Posted By: dwarren
Date Posted: January 15, 2005 at 4:09 PM

I called the parts dept. for my honda. If you look up replacement parts often times they list it, but my guess is its about 90-110. you are at point where you don't really need to upgrade anything, but you could replace the cables on the bat and alt to a larger gauge and this may cure it...



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Posted By: blg748
Date Posted: January 15, 2005 at 4:32 PM
you know what i just though of something i think my 2guage wire running to the phoienx amp is the same size or bigger than the current stock ground. hum.............




Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: January 15, 2005 at 10:23 PM
stock alternator is a 85 amp.     they are a real pain to change on the D16 series motor too.    Get ready for some fun changing that out

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2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place




Posted By: blg748
Date Posted: January 15, 2005 at 10:40 PM
jeffchilcott : so for my 1999 honda civic lx 4dr the alternator is a 85Amp alternator? With my system specs do i realllllly realllly need a new high ouput alternator one that is either 150Amp or 170Amp i checeked and ebay has em with 2 yr warrnaty for friggin 280US + shipping and DUTY so for me to get this into canada its gonna be liek 500CDN + then whatever they mechanic charges for install. my system isnt even that great lol a pretty basic one. woudl you reccomend me to buy a new alternator right away when im only using about max 60Amp current draw ?





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