85 amps
10-16-2008, 07:07 PM
#11
yes you can do it. upgrade your BIG 3. run either 2 guage power wire, or a pair of 4 guage. You will be fine, but you will experience some dimming when your cranking it up.
Amplifiers only draw their max amperage numbers with a sine wave at 100% output.
Music at most is a 25% dynamic load. when canking it you'll still be pulling the equivalent of around 30 amps constant. Which is like driving around trying to start your car all the time(on a warm day)
Amplifiers only draw their max amperage numbers with a sine wave at 100% output.
Music at most is a 25% dynamic load. when canking it you'll still be pulling the equivalent of around 30 amps constant. Which is like driving around trying to start your car all the time(on a warm day)
10-16-2008, 08:18 PM
#12
Yankee
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
The stock 85 amp alt will power the HU, amps, processors, head lights, rear window defroster, any electrical gizmo's that came with the car (CC, satellite, heated seats) and the HVAC fan. basically there isn't much electrical power available if all the stuff in the car is turned on so good luck trying to light a cigarette. you will be close to overload though so don't get carried away.
10-16-2008, 09:33 PM
#13
50 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 84
yes you can do it. upgrade your BIG 3. run either 2 guage power wire, or a pair of 4 guage. You will be fine, but you will experience some dimming when your cranking it up.
Amplifiers only draw their max amperage numbers with a sine wave at 100% output.
Music at most is a 25% dynamic load. when canking it you'll still be pulling the equivalent of around 30 amps constant. Which is like driving around trying to start your car all the time(on a warm day)
Amplifiers only draw their max amperage numbers with a sine wave at 100% output.
Music at most is a 25% dynamic load. when canking it you'll still be pulling the equivalent of around 30 amps constant. Which is like driving around trying to start your car all the time(on a warm day)
10-16-2008, 09:41 PM
#14
I mean real 4 guage. the Metra raptor kit is actually 6 guage with more rubber. wiring is the most important thing if you want to run big power. buy some brand name 4 guage, tha actually is 4 guae nd not 6 or 8 guage with a really thick ruber jacket.
10-17-2008, 02:07 AM
#15
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 384
The stock 85 amp alt will power the HU, amps, processors, head lights, rear window defroster, any electrical gizmo's that came with the car (CC, satellite, heated seats) and the HVAC fan. basically there isn't much electrical power available if all the stuff in the car is turned on so good luck trying to light a cigarette. you will be close to overload though so don't get carried away.
10-17-2008, 02:10 AM
#16
In theory it will not work. but there's been civics corollas and tercels with 60-70 amp alternators runing around since the early 2000's running 1200+wrms and surviving. for long term sustained cranking it, it will drain out the battery. but how many pople actually do that?. other than for the frst 2-3 weeks of your first major sound system?.
it'll be fine. if he goes through a battery a year it's not too bad.
it'll be fine. if he goes through a battery a year it's not too bad.
10-17-2008, 02:21 AM
#17
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 384
In theory it will not work. but there's been civics corollas and tercels with 60-70 amp alternators runing around since the early 2000's running 1200+wrms and surviving. for long term sustained cranking it, it will drain out the battery. but how many pople actually do that?. other than for the frst 2-3 weeks of your first major sound system?.
it'll be fine. if he goes through a battery a year it's not too bad.
it'll be fine. if he goes through a battery a year it's not too bad.
10-17-2008, 12:57 PM
#18
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 163
[QUOTE][The stock 85 amp alt will power the HU, amps, processors, head lights, rear window defroster, any electrical gizmo's that came with the car (CC, satellite, heated seats) and the HVAC fan. basically there isn't much electrical power available if all the stuff in the car is turned on so good luck trying to light a cigarette. you will be close to overload though so don't get carried away.
/QUOTE]
True, but how often are all those on at the same time?
Kill your car? Probably not. Usually when an alt fails, it is because of worn brushes. About $9 and 1 hour fix.
I originally got in to car audio in the 80's. My Toyota p/u had a 40 amp alt. It used to be a big deal to have 1,000 watts. A set of brushes 2-3 time a year and I was good to go.
/QUOTE]
True, but how often are all those on at the same time?
That will kill the battery which in turn will kill the alt which in turn will kill your car and your system,
I originally got in to car audio in the 80's. My Toyota p/u had a 40 amp alt. It used to be a big deal to have 1,000 watts. A set of brushes 2-3 time a year and I was good to go.
10-17-2008, 01:05 PM
#19
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 723
Alright, lets say that for whatever reason the amplifiers decided to pull 100 amperes. And he's got a 100amp fuse at the battery, to coincide with what the amplifier specifications suggest. What happens to his 85 ampere alternator? Anything, or does the lack of necessary current just mean the the amplifier won't get the power it needs and his sound goes for a dump, and his lights go dim.
Hell, I've had my 2002 Elantra for six years. I couldn't even tell you what my alternator produces. I have heard that cars with manual transmission are easier on the electrical system. Any truth to that? I assume so, must take a little power for an automatic to function all the time.
Hell, I've had my 2002 Elantra for six years. I couldn't even tell you what my alternator produces. I have heard that cars with manual transmission are easier on the electrical system. Any truth to that? I assume so, must take a little power for an automatic to function all the time.
