running 2000watts new alternator or just capacitor
03-16-2010, 04:32 PM
#1
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running 2000watts new alternator or just capacitor Im going to run a 1000 watt MB quart multi channel amp and a 1000 watt mono channel amp. Going to have 0 AWG wire split to dual 4 AWG. I havent installed it yet so i wouldnt know if any of my lights were dimming. Would i be safe running a capacitor or do i have to get a 200amp alternator and perform the big 3?
03-16-2010, 06:18 PM
#3
what model are the amps, or what is there rms power output. 2000 watts max could really only be 1k rms
with that said a buddy of mine in his TA was running 2400watts rms to his subs and 90x4 or so rms into his speaker, did big3 and an optima battery and had some dimming when running full tilt, and this was a system that was loud as ****
when he was just runnin 1200wrms and the 90x4 rms with big3 and his optima the lights might have dimmed ever so slightly at full title with heat blasted, lights on, defroster, etc
oh yeah stock 100+k miles alternator
with that said a buddy of mine in his TA was running 2400watts rms to his subs and 90x4 or so rms into his speaker, did big3 and an optima battery and had some dimming when running full tilt, and this was a system that was loud as ****
when he was just runnin 1200wrms and the 90x4 rms with big3 and his optima the lights might have dimmed ever so slightly at full title with heat blasted, lights on, defroster, etc
oh yeah stock 100+k miles alternator
03-16-2010, 08:48 PM
#6
I had/have a 3200 watt 1 ohm 2 channel amp that I ran on a stock saturn SW2 with a 3 Farad cap and it worked. I need to hook that sucker up to my SS. You will be just fine with just a big cap IMHO. If you don't use the cap then you will most likely get some headlight dimming.
03-16-2010, 08:57 PM
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well i have nothing to really worry about on the headlights being that they are HID's just dont want my gauges going dim to bright while driving at night. So BIG 3 it is.
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03-17-2010, 02:18 AM
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You will probably be ok on your stock setup and big would help the dimming a lil. A cap is like a little band-aid it might help some too depending on the music you listen to, not something to spend more than $30-40 on for about a 1.5-2F cap.
03-17-2010, 02:48 PM
#10
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Well I mostly listen to rock but from time to time I listen to some rap. But I've been talking to a friend of mine that rebuilds alternators and he's going to rebuild my alternator with 200 amp guts. Then I'll do the big 3.
03-17-2010, 03:38 PM
#11
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People suggesting batteries are as bad or worse than people suggesting capacitors. The only time you should upgrade a working battery is if you want good runtime with the stereo with the car off.
A HO alternator with any working battery is the baseline. And for an HO alternator, you HAVE to do the big 3 as a SAFETY item. There are alternators out there capable of burning out 6 gauge wire when the demand for the current is there.
If you want to upgrade your battery as well then you can do that, but don't ever add a capacitor.
A HO alternator with any working battery is the baseline. And for an HO alternator, you HAVE to do the big 3 as a SAFETY item. There are alternators out there capable of burning out 6 gauge wire when the demand for the current is there.
If you want to upgrade your battery as well then you can do that, but don't ever add a capacitor.
03-18-2010, 07:47 AM
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In this order:
Big 3.
That is all.
"2000W" is far from being what is actually going to be pulled from your electrical, there are MANY reasons as to why...
Caps are USELESS unless you have the electrical system to support the initial power needed to begin with. Other than that, it only adds stress.
Just do the big 3 and you will be perfectly fine.
Big 3.
That is all.
"2000W" is far from being what is actually going to be pulled from your electrical, there are MANY reasons as to why...
Caps are USELESS unless you have the electrical system to support the initial power needed to begin with. Other than that, it only adds stress.
Just do the big 3 and you will be perfectly fine.
03-18-2010, 08:41 AM
#15
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2000W is definitely enough to warrant a new alternator unless it's a Pyramid 2000W or you're not cranking it up. No, you're not going to be constantly drawing 2000W, but you need your alternator to be able to handle considerable spikes. Batteries are not the solution.
03-18-2010, 06:23 PM
#16
I'm running 1600 watts rms, but don't use all of the power 99 percent of the time. So far stock battery and alternator but I'll replace as it fails.
I did upgrade all my wiring (such as Big 3) and it made a wonderful difference.
