Capacitors

[white04alero]

at what point do you need a capacitor?
if im running a 1500W amp at 720 RMS... do i need one? what size? 1Farad? more?
any help would be great.. thanks..

and if i get a capacitor.. will it still have the same drain on my alternator as if i didnt have one?

[sound_xtreme]

never.

and yes.

[exnine@gmail.com]

I could be wrong. But I think it kind of depends on your alternator, and how you listen to your music / settings.

If you have a stock alternator. You can run an alright audio set up, Judging from personal experience I had a 1000 watt amp. And it was dimming my headlights. After a few months, and eventually killed my alt.

If you have a high power / performance Alt. operating at like 160 amps. That should be more than enough to run a nice audio set up.

I'm planning on getting a CAP soon. Let me know if you find any good deals anywhere.

Good luck.

[violentrapture]

Originally posted by sound_xtreme@Apr 30 2006, 11:33 PM
never.

and yes.
Quoted post


word ^^

Capacitor is merely a bandaid buffer for an electric system that's getting raped. Do the big 3, get a HO alternator.

~vR

[white04alero]

will i be alright on the stock alt? because 160 Amp alt are like 200 bucks right?

and where would i get one?

[violentrapture]

Get the alternator from Autozone I think it is that has the lifetime warranty - kill it, take it back. ;)

I'm running stock alternator -> relay -> two yellow tops -> amps (roughly 2,000W RMS), all with 4 gauge (currently... upgrading soon to 0/1 along with big 3). I've had my car for around two years now and only had to replace the alternator once... about a week ago.

The HO alternator is your cheapest and best solution, alongside upgrading the wiring.

~vR

[white04alero]

how much is it?

[trumpetplayer91372]

I think my alternator just went out because my battery light went on and my battery is fine and things are starting to power down so im not using my radio right now. I have a 500Watt amp with 1 12" sub, so if my Alt is bad, would i need a higher powered one, or was it just a coincidence? Ive had my sub in there for like 6 months no problem and now it just started going bad. Im guessing its stock, i have a 99 alero.

[violentrapture]

They range anywhere from just under $200 for a 160-180A/80A all the way to $300 or so for a 200A/125A - I'd recommend the Iraggi alternators... Dominator series are the cheaper line (80A idle), Amputator series are better (125A idle) but more expensive.

~vR

[violentrapture]

Originally posted by trumpetplayer91372@May 1 2006, 11:30 AM
I think my alternator just went out because my battery light went on and my battery is fine and things are starting to power down so im not using my radio right now. I have a 500Watt amp with 1 12" sub, so if my Alt is bad, would i need a higher powered one, or was it just a coincidence? Ive had my sub in there for like 6 months no problem and now it just started going bad. Im guessing its stock, i have a 99 alero.
Quoted post


Sounds like she's goin' down - mine is a '99 as well. They do just go out - with that little power, you probably don't need a HO, however, one of the Duralast 102A from Autozone are like $120 - for less than $100 more you could get one of the basic 160A alternators... if you're car is dying now and won't run, just snag one of the parts store ones - but if it can last the shipping time for the HO, I'd get one. (with mine, gauges started dying, nothing would come on, wouldn't start so I had to pop one in there same day).

~vR

[trumpetplayer91372]

I can drive it, but like 1 min into driving, my battery light comes on and every now and then the Anti-Lock light comes on. I had my radio in once and it just shut down so im driving without it to save power. Im taking it in today to see if it is the Alt which im like 99% sure it is. Clarification HO = ? And, if i get it fixed how much you think it will cost with parts and labor?

[violentrapture]

Yep, definitely sounds like the alt. is going out. Do the swap yourself - takes all of 30 minutes if you've never done it before.

HO = high output. Replacement alternator puts out 102A, HO puts out anywhere from 160-200, depending on which you get.

~vR

[2fst4u]

any advice for wiring in the new one?

[violentrapture]

Well, just as far as replacing it, I used this thread to do mine:

http://invision.aleromod.com/index.php?showtopic=9598&hl=

As far as the big 3, when I do mine, I'm going to try following this:

http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubb/ultimateb...ic;f=5;t=007801 (http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=007801)

[trumpetplayer91372]

Ive never done it before, is it hard to do? especially with the belt right next to it, i dont want to mess something up so if its few bucks more i can have it put in right. Also, with 500Watts, do you think i need a HO or will a regular replacement do?

[violentrapture]

It's easy as pie - just follow that awesome tutorial by FormulaNerd there. Might want to replace that serpentine belt while you're at it... they only run like $10-15.

You don't need a HO - if you plan on upgrading any of your power for your audio or running other stuff it might be worthwhile to look into... chances are you'll be fine just with the replacement thought.

~vR

[cherrington17]

personally, i was running 1400W amp for my subs and i had the headlight dimming problem. got a 1F cap from a friend and it cleared it right up.

i've since also upgraded my alt, since i nearly killed my batt.

like violent said, a cap is mearly a bandaid for the problem. it helps, but not much.

[SweetNLow]

Originally posted by violentrapture@May 1 2006, 01:22 PM
Get the alternator from Autozone I think it is that has the lifetime warranty - kill it, take it back. ;)
Quoted post


thats what i did.... duralast gold alternator with a lifetime guarentee is about $125 or so at autozone.

[trumpetplayer91372]

With no engine experience, i could pick one up at Autozone and do it myself as long as i follow that forum? I dont want to mess anything up, but i do want to save labor charges if i could do it.

[violentrapture]

Absolutely - I know nothing about engines either... I just gave myself a couple hours, got out the socket set and had at it. It really is pretty darn simple. 1 belt, about 5 bolts and that's it.

[sound_xtreme]

Originally posted by violentrapture@May 1 2006, 01:06 PM
It's easy as pie - just follow that awesome tutorial by FormulaNerd there. Might want to replace that serpentine belt while you're at it... they only run like $10-15.
Quoted post


ya the alt is easy. the belt is a bit harder, least on the 3400. you have to take the left engine mount off.

[trumpetplayer91372]

I took my car in today to see if it was the alt and it is burned out so they quoted me at $350! Im definately doing it myself.I looked at autozone's website and they only have 105Amp alts, where would i find a HO one?

[violentrapture]

Try these places:

Iraggi eBay store:
http://tinyurl.com/ztfko

http://www.excessiveamperage.com/

http://www.4alterstart.com/

http://www.mralternator.com/

[trumpetplayer91372]

Whoa thanks for all those. Im not sure if i would get a HO one becuase with a 500Watt amp i wouldnt really need it and the price seems to jump up a lot. Would you agree that if i got the 105Amp for like $100 that would be the way to go because i dont see myself upgrading my audio with this car.

[violentrapture]

Ayep - stock alternator should be fine - be mindful of what joel said too - the alt. replacment was really simple on my 2.4L, but if you have the V6 it might be harder.

~vR

[trumpetplayer91372]

Yea, i have the V6, but it shouldnt be a huge difference just maybe moving the belt.

[sound_xtreme]

alt replacement on v6 is easy. the back bolt is a bit hard to reach, it's handy if u have a swivel extension.

[cherrington17]

ya the alt is easy. the belt is a bit harder, least on the 3400. you have to take the left engine mount off.


whaa? i just did this on my 3400 (i also have no engine experience, but ForumlaNerd, did a GREAT How To that helps) and i didn't have to touch an engine mount....

sound, what are you talking about??

[sound_xtreme]

Originally posted by sound_xtreme@May 1 2006, 05:01 PM
the belt is a bit harder, least on the 3400. you have to take the left engine mount off.
Quoted post


make more sense? i was talking about the belt, not the alternator. why would ya need to take the mount off to change an alternator?

[alerored04]

as for a cap, worthless, if you are going to spend the cash just buy an optima battery and either replace your current one or wire it like a cap. And sound was referring to whoever said that while you are at it with the alt you should replace the belt, the motor mount goes through the middle of the serpentine routing so you have to jack up the motor and take off the mount to get the belt off. Im not sure at what point you need a HO alt but i am running 2 500 rms alpine amps with a red top in place of a cap and i havent had any problems.

[white04alero]

does your lights dim?

[violentrapture]

Ouch: $682 for the whole works

http://i2.tinypic.com/x206f8.jpg