What's up guys!.
I just got an autometer volt gauge, and an amp temp gauge.
I'm curious what the gauges should be between.
I have 3 Kenwood 1,000 watt amps each running to 3 JL W3 15"s. Right now, my amp temp reads about 110 degrees. It starts at about 60 or so, and it takes a good 30-45 mins of hard bass to get it to 110, and when it does get to 110, I usually shut my system down to let things cool off again, and start playing again. Is 110 too much?. The amps have built in fans, and I have an Optima battery running everything. So, i'm not sure if I should be concerned with the amp temp, or just keep on playing it and see when it stops going any higher.
And also, I am curious about my volt gauge. Right now, it usually stays between 13.0, and 13.9. Very rarely, it might dip down to 12.9, but barely. I know I need an high output alternator down the road, because even with 2 caps, and a Yellow Top.. my battery light on my dash comes on after about an hr of playing bass heavy tunes. Which i'm assuming means that the alt can't keep up with the battery drain.
Can anyone tell me where my numbers should be at?. Thanks!.
Your thermal readings are about inline with a system like yours running very hard. Have your amps ever shut down? They have built in thermal protection so if they are not in their operating temp range they would shut off. Your power numbers aren't bad either but I'm not a big fan of caps. Get the high output alternater ASAP.
I would experiment a little first. Maybe run you system hard for a while until it shuts off if it does at all to see at what tempyour amps will shut off. Second as far as the batery problem goes
https://www.hellroaring.com/audio2.htm try looking for something like these Autozone/Pepboys carry them in the battery area and run a deep cycle optima battery on the amp side and the optima you have now for your starting battery. I'll bet that should fix most all of your problems.
thanks for the replies guys.
Nope, the amps never have shut down. Today on my way to work, which is almost 45 mins.. I played them hard.. the temp was up to around 130 or so, and my volts stayed around 12.3. I didn't really think about the thermal protection, so being they haven't cut out, I guess it's still in their operating range.
Should I be concerned about the volts though?. As soon as I shut my system off, the volts climb back up to around 13.5 or so, and stay in that area. I was told that if my volts drop below 13.0, that I should get a higher output alt, is that true?. I've had this current setup now for over a year, and every weekend I play my system hard. Only now am I noticing the volts though, because I just put in the volts meter.
I don't really want to get involved with a 2nd battery. I guess my question is, with my yellow top I currently have, along with my stock alt (I have a PT Cruiser) and the volts dropping below 13.0 everytime the system is turned on.. is a higher output alt a necessity?, and if so.. what type of alt should I get?.
Thanks!
With that much power you should get an HO Alt in there as soon as possible. Also have you upgraded the big 3 yet?
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2003 Chevrolet Silverado Standard Cab ~ Alpine CDA-9851
Diamond Audio D3600.1 ~ 2x Diamond Audio TM310D4
Diamond Audio D3400.4 ~ Diamond Audio Hex S600s
AstroStart RS5204 Remote Start/Alarm
I also have PT and the only HO alt i could find is
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7978687623&category=33573&sspagename=WDVW i havnt gotten one yet since my stereo isnt all that yet, but in the next couple of months maybe more than i should have ( i want my kids to cry when i turn it on). Good luck hope this helps