Alternator

[dyablo]

I just got a new alternator about one month ago and now i got an 800 watt amp but my problem is that Im afraid it will drain my battery to fast. Will the alternator be able to hold up to the 800 amp. OR should I upgrade some thing?

[CleanGS97]

you can allways add a capacitor to ease the strain on your alternator...at least I think it would work that way.. since it acts as a power "reservoir" between your system and battery..
As allways anyone feel free to correct me if my logic is off center.

-Aaron

[alanseijas]

What guage cable did you run to your amp?
Do your headlights flash with the bass (called "showboating") with everything else turned on too (and the stereo cranked)? Try it even with the wipers on, and the blower on high.
If the headlights don't "showboat" under this heavy load condition, you're fine.
If they do, I recommend a small sealed spare battery mounted in the rear.

I'm NOT getting into this cap thing again.

[CleanGS97]

I'm NOT getting into this cap thing again.
haha.. I dont have alot of experience power-wise when it comes to stereos.. just theory.. I knew there was more to it so Im allways afraid to touch on this subject too..

-Aaron

[alanseijas]

I'm not afraid of it, it's just that people don't want to believe the facts; and I'm tired of explaining them again and again to people that won't listen. zzzz

[CleanGS97]

people ... won't listen.

that seems to be a growing trend here... but back on the original post I think i recall hearing something that we can use the alternator off a certain year of a CANADIAN Galant Vr-4 that has more power output than the standard issue.... Can anyone confirm this or is this just another urban-DSM legend?
-Aaron

[PrimeAi]

Any CDN alternator from a DSM will have 90amps as opposed to our 65amp power houses. Its a possibility. I don't have part numbers or anything, I would just spend the money on a second battery. Its handy if you ever leave your lights on because you can jump yourself :) Neat trick. :angel:

[CleanGS97]

that's what it was... thanks for clarification PrimeAi.. they are wanting $245 for a 75 watt alt at www.NOPIONLINE.com Never hurts to have more wattage from the alt if you can justify the expense.... and it seems more justifyable to get a CDN for less $$


-Aaron

[PrimeAi]

Remember that DSM alternators rotate the opposite direction of 90% of the alternators out there. So you'll blow most aftermarket's pretty quick.

[alanseijas]

Originally posted by PrimeAi
I would just spend the money on a second battery. Its handy if you ever leave your lights on because you can jump yourself :) Neat trick. :angel:

That would only work if you used a battery isolater. They're like a big diode that only allows voltage to pass from the front to the rear battery, and not from the rear to the front battery (the front battery powers the lights). I don't recommend them, because other than the fact that they are not necessary (and cost money), you actually lose one volt at the rear battery. If you hooked up your rear battery to the front one without an isolater, they would both drain with the lights left on (or anything else left on, too).

[BUCK ROGERS]

My parts guy found a 120 Peak AMP alternator that looked same as stock - used a 1/2 Farad cap that's hose clamped to the battery hold down bolt - running a 550W Amp & 160 watt head unit - no more flickering lites, etc. My prediction is your Amp will toast that 90 Amp Alt QUICKLY - change out all the power steering O Rings while you have the old Alt out if you haven't already. It's a messy job but quite easy - I went ahead & did a full P/S flush while I had the hoses loose & went back with synthetic P/S fluid.