hybrids
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=61484
Printed Date: May 10, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Topic: hybrids
Posted By: bryceyaworsky
Subject: hybrids
Date Posted: August 16, 2005 at 10:48 PM
does anybody have any experience with large power consumption (200 plus amps) for audio in a hybrid? I'm not familiar with the new hybrids like the honda civic/accord, or toyota prius and I'd like to know if the car's battery is more sensitive to power demands other than the engine. thanks.
Replies:
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: August 17, 2005 at 12:46 AM
"Do you have a hybrid?", is the first question I would ask. Second question would be "are you thinking about buiyng one?"
Most hybrids are two separate propulsion systems - internal combustion, and electric motor - attached to the same drive axle. When installing a system in your car, you will not be even touching the electric side. The alternator in a hybrid does not charge the battery for the electric side of the drive-train, it is charged by the electric motors being spun by the internal combustion gas engine, or possibly by regenerative braking. As I said, they are completely separate.
You will not likely be able to install much of a system at all in your hybrid car - they are built to save as much weight as possible - this includes the alternator. This means the output of the alternator is JUST enough to run the car's electrical system, and probably not much more. I have a friend in Ventura who has a Civic Hybrid, and his alternator is rated 55A, and it is TINY. They shove as much under the hood in those things as they can. Not much space left over.
In his car, when you come to a stop, the engine quits. No, really, it TURNS OFF. This means the alternator the DO put in will not be making any power at all, and if you were to be in heavy stop-and-go traffic, there is a good chance you could end up stopped. If you are running your stereo and pulling more than the alternator can replenish to the batter in 10 seconds of "go" time, your battery will slowly die - in traffic. Personally, I wouldn't buy a hybrid if my intentions were to add any kind of stereo at all.
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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
Posted By: bryceyaworsky
Date Posted: August 17, 2005 at 6:19 AM
I'm thinking about buying one.
Posted By: Francious70
Date Posted: August 17, 2005 at 1:26 PM
Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: August 17, 2005 at 3:57 PM
If you really want to install a system in a car, think 100% class D. Very efficient. A great option for mains is this amplifier: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=55765&KW=xtant+1%2E1 Go class D for the sub amp too, and you should be fine if you listen at moderate volume levels. ------------- New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
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