alternator and batteries question
Thread Starter
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 98
alternator and batteries question
ok , so i know everyone who runs large amounts of power ups there alternator, i haven't yet. i have ruffly 5000 rms, and i know i'm starving my amps. i am running a single blue top (basically the yellow in marine version), and was wondering, is it worth it to buy a new alternator..or just double up on batteries. i'm trying so hard to hit 150 db on the TL but so far i'm jammed at 147.8, and i was hopeing to know if upping my alternator will help my spl at all. thanx 
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 170
It all depends on what class you're in.
If you are in street class, just get a single bigger battery like a group 31 sized battery. Optima g31, pc2150, nsb just to name a few.
If you are in superstreet, you can get more batteries and an alternator or 2.
If you are in street class, just get a single bigger battery like a group 31 sized battery. Optima g31, pc2150, nsb just to name a few.
If you are in superstreet, you can get more batteries and an alternator or 2.
Thread Starter
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 98
i'm street b, with dual 12's, but my amps need more power, i can double my batteries ..but i was told alternators..help..i just don't know if it will actually help my spl or not..does anyone have any experience where there alt upgrade helped spl numbers.
Thread Starter
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 98
yes i'm an iasca competitor, i rev up to 2000 rpm as allowed, so yes my alternator is being used, and i do notice a difference in my spl when i'm allowed to rev vs when i'm idleing, i just really need to know if the 450$ for an alt is worth it in the end.
Originally Posted by TD_Pėnut
yes i'm an iasca competitor, i rev up to 2000 rpm as allowed, so yes my alternator is being used, and i do notice a difference in my spl when i'm allowed to rev vs when i'm idleing, i just really need to know if the 450$ for an alt is worth it in the end.
i have a 220alt to my set up to a 2150battery (but what wirer are you runing ?)
Guest
Posts: n/a
a higher output alt will definitely help you in iasca competitions. Less voltage drop = less current consumption to make the same power.
You can also get an adjustable regulator for your alternator to crank the voltage right up to 15.5 (highest allowable for iasca stock classes) which will help even more. However some car electronics start to act funky at upper 14 volt range.
Any idea how much voltage drop you're currently getting during a burp?
You can also get an adjustable regulator for your alternator to crank the voltage right up to 15.5 (highest allowable for iasca stock classes) which will help even more. However some car electronics start to act funky at upper 14 volt range.
Any idea how much voltage drop you're currently getting during a burp?
500 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 756
In a nutshell, yes, you need to upgrade your alternator. And you need to head to the 200amp range, to give those amps the voltage they need to get ya closer to that holy grail, the 150.
I just compiled a whack of old battery/charging posts from here the other day... But the board won't let me post it, it's over 50,000 characters long, and I see there's a 10,000 character rule...
So... I just dumped it all on a page for ya, here's a link to it: http://www.allstart.net/batadv.htm
I just compiled a whack of old battery/charging posts from here the other day... But the board won't let me post it, it's over 50,000 characters long, and I see there's a 10,000 character rule...
So... I just dumped it all on a page for ya, here's a link to it: http://www.allstart.net/batadv.htm
Last edited by GrizZz; Aug 15, 2006 at 10:45 PM.
Thread Starter
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 98
Thanx for the input, and i currently run 1/0 guage throughout my entire car, includeing the "big 3" upgrade..so i will get an alt on saturday. i have a regulator..from justin larouche's sprint, apparently it's a really good one..but i don't have a clue how to set it up haha. and ya..i'm shooting for that holy grail 
it's been only a year..and i've made my way so close..but i reallly want it before college in sept.
it's been only a year..and i've made my way so close..but i reallly want it before college in sept.
running a 200amp alt, with an adjustable regulator is the best way to get alot of power out of your amplifiers.
that's how i did so well in iasca with just a pair of zr1000's.
the nsb batteries also need to be charged in the 15volt neighborhood.
make sure that the alternator's rectifier has press-fit diodes, they are WAY more durable than soldered button diodes.
that's how i did so well in iasca with just a pair of zr1000's.
the nsb batteries also need to be charged in the 15volt neighborhood.
make sure that the alternator's rectifier has press-fit diodes, they are WAY more durable than soldered button diodes.
