stock alternator size (amps)

[dropkick13]

Just a quick question... what is the amperage of the alternator on my truck (see sig) and is it sufficient for 600w rms sub/amp set up?

 

my buddy has 110 amp alt in his 'vette and he says that it is not sufficient for his 300w set up so hes got me worried

[07SilveradoClassic]

amps X volt = watts.

 

my 07 has a 145 amp alternator

 

145 amp X 13 volt = 1885 Watts (this is at max alternator RPM)

 

Stereo load

600 watts / 13 volt = 46 amps of load on system

 

However the variables are your idle/drive time, other accessory load, wiring, size (amp hour) and condition of the battery.

 

Multiply the Amps by the Hours to determine the Amp Hours, or AH, required.

[agtandt]

you should be fine. You can read the stamping at the top of the alternator. However we have done many installs with quite larger amp installs without issues. You may consider upgradeing your battery to an aftermarket Stinger battery or adding a power cap to help ease your mind. Good luck

[Wingnut]

Yeah, lots of variables.

 

My 200 watt amp is killing my electrical system right now. But I have lots of things that are sucking power along with it.

 

But I ran 1500-2000 watts in my '02 with the factory charging system by upgrading the alternator and battery wiring...Never dimmed the lights or missed a beat.

[denton_12]

You'll be fine, your lights might dim, if that happens all you need to do is buy something called a capacitor, since you're running a 600 W amp, probably wouldn't hurt to buy at least a 2 Fraud capacitor, it's basically just extra battery storage for when you're sitting at a stop light at night (lots of power being drained on top of the system.)

[yeash28]

capacitance is measured in farads. capacitors are not quite the same thing as a battery as the boost that they would provide would be instantaneous. such as when a big thump from your subs sucks off all the available electrons from your electrical system causing your lights to dim, a cap would help alleviate that drain on your electric system so you wouldn't see your lights dimming.

[Wingnut]

Caps are really only a buffer, and while they do work to some extent, they're just a bandaid on the problem.

 

Yeah, I've got one too

[ranger302j]

Caps are really only a buffer, and while they do work to some extent, they're just a bandaid on the problem.

 

Yeah, I've got one too

 

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I have one too, but I am still having a bad light dimming problem when I really crank it. I may have a less-than satisfactory ground point, Im going to try something else and see if that fixes the problem. I added a 1-farad cap and it didn't really help all that much. I am running a 600W rms w/ 2 10" subs.