Thread: Do I need a new alternator?

I have an 05 GP and I want to get a new head unit, 2 12 inch subs, a mono amp, and an amp for my upgraded interior speakers. Can my alternator handle that if i also get a capacitor? Or do i need a more powerful alternator? If so, which one should I get?

That sounds like exactly what i'm doin. I have a 3000 watt pure mono block class d high consumption sub amp.. it's 2200 RMS. Thats running to 3 10 in comp subs. And also a 600 watt 4 channel amp for my mids and highs. So far everything is ok. I come off my battery with 5 gauge back to a 2 fared capasitor then from that to the 2 amps.. everything is ok with me.. only thing different is mine is a 2002 GP. But i wouldn't think there'd be much difference but i could be wrong.

whats the watts gpgt?
and hawkins you won't ever see 2200rms with 5 gauge(you'll blow fuses 1st that or melt the wire btw you really need 0/1g wire for something like that)

Yeah really... It doesn't help much that the stock alt wire is roughly 90" and is an 8 gauge cable...

If you want to run that once in a while, you might be fine, you'd probably end up killing the alt and the battery.

But thats the cost of that much power in a car. You should definitely get a voltmeter in your car if you already don't have one, if your voltage drops much below 13.5 you need more alt.

Umm.. TurboTrav... I actually have it hooked up and I'm running BOTH my amps (subs/ Mids and Highs) off one 5 guage wire... It hasn't melted or burnt up or anything.. It's just fine.

then your not pushing what you say you are no way your puting out 2200w rms!
proof this is what 1100w did:

idc what u say it did... i know my system puts out what it says it does because i've won comps after comps with it...

Originally Posted by Hawkins97

idc what u say it did... i know my system puts out what it says it does because i've won comps after comps with it...

LOL!

At 3 dB? Quieter than the wind...

Just kidding, regardless though, 2200 watts is 183 amps at 12 volts so 200 amp fuse and it'll hold unless you've got wire thats too small in which case it will consume amperage as well...

yeah 2 or alt guage , also something i did that helped out temendously was make a 4 ga wire with ring terminals on the end and route it off the back of the alternator to the battery and keep the factory wire on there also . For the power problem second battery is always the better route , ive got a optima yellow on mine and my headlights dim a little but not bad at all

Originally Posted by eddie97gt

yeah 2 or alt guage , also something i did that helped out temendously was make a 4 ga wire with ring terminals on the end and route it off the back of the alternator to the battery and keep the factory wire on there also . For the power problem second battery is always the better route , ive got a optima yellow on mine and my headlights dim a little but not bad at all

The battery would only help once the car reaches the voltage the battery is putting out. By that logic, you're already dimming by the time the battery is doing anything at all besides getting a charge.

but most definately helps on the currant end and thats what the amp is starving for

Battery can't help till your car drops to 12.5 or so, thats where most batteries begin to operate.

"After full charge the terminal voltage will drop quickly to 13.2 V and then slowly to 12.6 V."

From the wiki. Again, they can't do much really, if you're draining your alt and your battery, then how do you charge the battery? Isn't that what the alt is for?

Also, if you rewire the alt without a fuse you're asking for trouble.

See this:
Do I Need To Beef Up My Alternator Or Anything Else - MP3Car.com