too much power?

i have a 97 prelude that i will be running a 300 watt 4 channell and a 600-700 rms amp. i know ya'll say get a bigger alternator but cant afford one. some of the guys on a prelude site says that my stock alt will be plenty that they have bigger systems with more watts running on a stock alt. with no problem. you think that it is to much power?

Well, if you can't afford a new alt, you will just have to wait and see what happens. I have about 1400 wrms on my stock honda alt as my ho alt is acting up. Yes I experience some light dimming but so far no major problems, bu then again who knows when my computer will fry.

One thing that is often over looked by people is that you will not be drawing the max current by the amps at all times, when you have the volume down it will be lower, and during musical breaks it will go down, also less bass heavy music has an effect. The current draw is always changing, never constant.

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Like dwarren said, you should be fine. Just use common sense. Don't sit idle with the stereo blasting, a/c on, etc. As long as you're riding along you should be able to play it like you want to. You'll probably see a little light dimming, but you'll have to live with that until you can afford the HO alternator. Upgrade the "big 3". That'll help some.

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'85 Toy

What about capacitors as well? (around $80 1.0 Farad) Let the capacitors charge up, and the amp will pull it's "massive withdrawals" from there instead of dimming the lights by sucking current from the alternator..

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I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

When you do not know what you are doing and what you are doing is the best -- that is inspiration.

Read the posts on the forum on caps before you waste your money on one. Save up and get the HO alt.

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'85 Toy

thanx guys.

Amps have internal capacitor banks anyway.

you definitely dont need another alternator. I had a memphis 75X4 and a 500d with the stock battery and alt. Put a stinger 1 farad cap on it lights never dimmed at all even at idle. Save some money buy a 1 farad cap and if your battery is old replace it .

nooooooooo, dont listen to him... caps are baddd

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99 Blazer LT.   Yellow Top. Big 3. Infinity Kappa Speakers All Around. Jensen CD/DVD flip out. 2 Infinity Kappa Perfect 12DVQs powered by a Alpine PDX600.1 (in one custom box, building a FG box)

Like I said before, the stock alternator with the big 3 upgrade should do it for you. And save up for the HO alternator. You'll want more power later if you are like most people, so spend wisely.

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'85 Toy

Big Three will do more than a 1 farad cap can.

i dont understand i have looked at the forum about caps and dont get it. why are they so bad? i mean some say they're bad and others who have them say they work wonders for them. they have to do something or they wouldn't be selling or in so many peoples cars right? my last system i had one really good twelve and the comp set. it was custom done by a local shop they put noen in the trunk the whole works. they also used a cap. i mean my lights never dimmed, no problem with the alt. ironically they alt went out about 6 mths after i took the system out. dont get me wrong not pleading a case either way you just got to understand that i posted the question to learn and have people pulling me 2 different directions. my alt is 90 amps the majority says should be find only about 9 mths old. final question is there any benefit to having a cap? yes no and why please.thanks guys.

Without a HO alt a cap will put more strain on your electrical system...Do the big three and see if you need a HO alt.

accessory ,2997 tahoe

dont understand last reply

LOL likwise...stereo1installer, what the hell are you trying to say?

hahaha

If this is not the last install you will be doing.  Buy the Car audio DVD from www.caraudiohelp.com

I'd even work towards your MECP, not for bragging or promo rights, but for the knowledge learned along the journey of trying to get it.

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I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

When you do not know what you are doing and what you are doing is the best -- that is inspiration.