Alternator question

[03Alerosil]

I own a 2003 Alero with the 3.4. My question is simply this. I have an aftermarket stereo system installed. It runs my amp and everything fine right now. I am upgrading to 2 - 12" MTX subs and a JVC 800w amp that runs 400w RMSx1x2ohms. Is the factory alternator enough to run that many watts or should I look at the big 3 upgrade and or a bigger alt? I run my system at a "normal" volume and listen to rock/metal music so there really isn't any deep bass notes.

[sleepyalero]

Your interior lights might dim with it. I used to have a system myself. Altenator Should be fine I just ran a 5 feret capacitor with mine. Did the trick.

[S8track16]

Standard vehicles can usually handle around 600w rms without any modifications needed. Will you be running 400rms per sub? You could add a second audio battery such as kinetik which would solve all your problems.

[S8track16]

Or get a better main battery, yellow top or something.

[03Alerosil]

My subs are wired from 4 ohms down to 2 ohms. One input into the box so they would share the 400 watts which is perfect because the subs have a max rms of 200 watts each. My amp is a single output mono amp. Class D. So the 2 ohm out from the sub would wire direct to the box. So long story short all my amp would draw rms wise is 400 watts.

[tw0123]

as S8track mentioned above, first step would be to get a better battery... from there this will allow you to handle the power with ease... the big 3 upgrade wouldn't hurt, but really wont do much in my opinion, as you have not really upgraded anything substantial other than wiring. I upgraded my battery and ran 3 amps, 2 subs and all my interior speakers just fine... when I added my dvd player and 1 tv screen, my alternator went. I had it rebuilt to 200 amp, and have not had any issues since. I am in the process of getting a second battery (if I can meet up with s8track lol!!) to make my life a bit more simple in the long run...

[03Alerosil]

S8track16. So you are saying my alt will run 400 watts easy? I doubt I will hit the 800 peak watt rating. I thought about building a factory alt into one with higher amp rating

[S8track16]

Yup.

[S8track16]

I nearly have 2500 watts while still using the 105A alternator. I do have a very good main battery although (xs d3400) and the Big 3 done. Right now I have a 250A singer alternator from a cobalt which I am going to try and use once I get a compatible part.

[03Alerosil]

Thanks S8track16! I never knew the cobalt had such a big alt. I got a new battery in the car. It's not deep cycle though. I thought about getting a salvage yard alt and having the the local place beef it up to like 130 amps.

[S8track16]

The cobalt amp isn't stock, it was made by Mike Singer.

[negolien]

Yeah I run 500rms at 2 ohms and 1000 peak thru two 12's + the stock Monsoon amp, Soundstream sst6.9's, stock front speaker's and Stock Head Unit and it runs ok I do see a little flicker at night if I go to 75%.

[03Alerosil]

Yeah I run 500rms at 2 ohms and 1000 peak thru two 12's + the stock Monsoon amp, Soundstream sst6.9's, stock front speaker's and Stock Head Unit and it runs ok I do see a little flicker at night if I go to 75%.

Thanks. I don't have the stock head unit or the monsoon amp so I should be just fine. Less watts rms too. Thanks for the reply

[RalphP]

My suggestion as an Electronics Tech would be a) Big 3 (which is NEVER a bad thing, even on a purely stock car!), b) an alternator designed to put more out at the low end, especially if you're looking to use an Optima battery, and c) a beefier battery. In that order.

RwP

[Nas Escobar]

As I've said in the other thread, I used to run a 900 watt amp on my old Pontiac Grand Am with the Ecotec engine. 105 amps just like the 3400. Boston Acoustics GT2200, bridged 2ohm it will give you that insane amount of wattage. Yeah the lights flickered, yeah the volts dropped as low as 12.6 but I never fried that alternator. I actually broke it taking off the big 3 on it since I had sold it.

My point is simple... get a good battery, do the big 3, or at the very least re-do the ground the battery and the alternator ground and thump away. 400 watts rms is nothing to a 105. The general rule is upgrade the alternator if you're pushing out 1000-1200 or more watts rms with your system. That's pretty much it. For you to push out that much RMS, you would be at least $600 in to your sound.

[S8track16]

Just don't let it go below 12V.

[03Alerosil]

Once I get it all in I will get out my volt meter and see what happens.