Sound system and alternator
Audiophile
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 171
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From: Central MAINE
I was thinking the same thing, take the cap out.
Also make sure the connections on your battery posts are VERY secure. My buddy lost an alt in his Grand Am GT b/c his positive battery terminal wire was loose and it was causing the alt to think the battery wasnt charging enough and it was stressing it. He also had a system so that probably didnt help.
Just a few more things to ponder.
Also make sure the connections on your battery posts are VERY secure. My buddy lost an alt in his Grand Am GT b/c his positive battery terminal wire was loose and it was causing the alt to think the battery wasnt charging enough and it was stressing it. He also had a system so that probably didnt help.
Just a few more things to ponder.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 160
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Originally Posted by Bmpn
I was thinking the same thing, take the cap out.
Also make sure the connections on your battery posts are VERY secure. My buddy lost an alt in his Grand Am GT b/c his positive battery terminal wire was loose and it was causing the alt to think the battery wasnt charging enough and it was stressing it. He also had a system so that probably didnt help.
Just a few more things to ponder.
Also make sure the connections on your battery posts are VERY secure. My buddy lost an alt in his Grand Am GT b/c his positive battery terminal wire was loose and it was causing the alt to think the battery wasnt charging enough and it was stressing it. He also had a system so that probably didnt help.
Just a few more things to ponder.
how is a alpine deck and a 400w amp killin a alternator. i doubt the alternator is that weak. and why do you have a capacitor it's not needed.
STOCK EJ8 noob
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 264
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From: Bronx NY
Originally Posted by WiLL
It depends on the condition and size of your alternator now, and the power that the amp will draw.
What car and what amp are you planning on using?
What car and what amp are you planning on using?
1998 civic ex.... im assuming stock alternator and the amp will probably draw sumwhere between 500-700 i think the amp i posted somewhere on this forum was roughly 600 watts.
Lemme see if i understand correctly the amp only draws power from the alternator and not the subs or do both draw power?
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Lll
Originally Posted by bxsnypa
1998 civic ex.... im assuming stock alternator and the amp will probably draw sumwhere between 500-700 i think the amp i posted somewhere on this forum was roughly 600 watts.
Lemme see if i understand correctly the amp only draws power from the alternator and not the subs or do both draw power?
Lemme see if i understand correctly the amp only draws power from the alternator and not the subs or do both draw power?
Anything connected to the battery is drawing power. And also, in terms of power, your amp draw amperages....not watts. A good way to tell is to look on the on-board fuses on the amp...that will give you a rough idea of the max it will draw.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Bethlehem PA
Originally Posted by shitbrick
i have hard time believing this little setup is killing the alternator. what brand of amp do you have. is it a 400w peak or what.
I second that.
He must have something else thats shorting the alternator.
Could also be a bad ground someplace.
I have a 10gauge power wire running from my battery to
all my audio/video components and even then its not power hungry.
Your problemo seems to be stemming from another source.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: i am currently stationed in norfolk va.
a cap is not "like a second battery" all a cap does is resist a change in current. it takes 5 RC time constants to charge up(near instananeous) and when the amp draws alot of current the cap discharges.
Prelude tracktion
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 230
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From: Berkeley, CA
Audio guys, while you're on the subject, how much of a system does it take to stress out an alternator? Sorry to jump in here, but if I hooked up like a 200w or 300w peak 4-channel amp to my cabin speakers, would it shorten the life of the alternator or battery? No subs. Stock H23A Prelude.
Dan
Dan
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 58,579
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From: Lll
Originally Posted by Ludemandan
Audio guys, while you're on the subject, how much of a system does it take to stress out an alternator? Sorry to jump in here, but if I hooked up like a 200w or 300w peak 4-channel amp to my cabin speakers, would it shorten the life of the alternator or battery? No subs. Stock H23A Prelude.
Dan
Dan
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