HI guys, I have a 1994 MX6. When the big bass hits, my engines RPM lowers about 80 or so at idle. I know this is just at idle, and Ideally, the stereo should'nt be pounding when the car is just idling. But I have a Zr240, dishing out about 400RMS into the sub, so for a stock altrenator, would this create any probs? has anybody had any experience with electrical problems in their (fuel injected) cars due to having a big stereo in it? My old 1984 S10 had minimalistic electrical, no computer or anything, so I didn't worry about stuff mal-functioning. In my car, Im paranoid about it, I just wanted to know if any of this really matters, or how much power is needed per se, if it were to be 'too much' for the stock alterenator to handle, thanks

 

Do you have a high voltage stiffening capacitor?

 

yeah, I have a power cap. its a Monster cap, 20 volts. my amp has two 30 amp fuses. so it'll draw about 60 amps total, on average. I know at idle, thats hard on the alternator, but how about at normal revs, like 3K or more.?

 

Do you happen to know what the stock alt. rating is? Also, remenber that there are other loads on the alternator when the car is running (especially in the winter - heater, wipers, rear defrost (a biggie), head/interior lights, easy bake oven). My stock 70A alternator eventually gave up the ghost. (I'm not an expert, but I believe some mazda's aren't gifted in the electrical dept. Atleast mine wasn't). Get it checked (tested). You may be able to get it rewound for higher output. And do "the big three"; it's definitely worth it. Cheers,

 

thanks pal, Im assuming a good mech test, is where that should be done right?

 

Loud brown kicker colt, Rob.. your a mechanic right? how much would you charge me for this?

 

Yes I'm a Mechanic.i have a DC amperage clamp, we could check it out.
PM me & let me know when/where. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
i'm ordering some alt parts tomorrow(if they are open)

 

Would beefing up the wires to the alternator help?

 

i does help in some cases,it all depends upon the amount of load.
if your alt is fully feilded all the time,it will not live as long as a unit built with higher output(shorter cycles).
i've been continually reasearching ways to build an indestructable alt,and have found a product released last month that will put my 200amp on that list. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

 

^^ this guy is so cool! an indestrucable Alt. I cant wait to see that! Most of the after market ones I've seen are $300 plus easily. plus instal of course. Its like thanks, but no thanks. i'll just turn it down when the car is idling, and save my $450. I'll Pm you Rob, thanks pal