I figure I may ought to go ahead and get some ideas about my electrical upgrades. I will be running an Audiobahn A1500HCQ and from the way it looks right now the Avioinix 800.4. I haven't bought the Avionix yet but it looks great and is at a great price. What kind of electrical upgrades do you guys suggest?
Replies (8)
SUBTROY1 on 02/3/2004 23:48:25
Depending on how much power the amp is going to push, you may need an alternator upgrade. And maybe a larger battery if you don't allready have a sufficient one.
Troy
carbudgetaudio.com
cplkittle on 02/4/2004 09:23:59
and always upgrade the wires to match.
What is the total amp pull from the two amplifiers, and what size is the alternator? Also, you will be pleased to know if you already didn't that most pontiacs run around 14v.
erikcooper on 02/4/2004 12:51:18
I know, mine runs at about 15 volts actually but, this is all going in the Dodge. As of the 26th of this month I am giving the Pontiac to my little sister for her sixteenth birthday.
zInal3 on 02/5/2004 06:50:09
i never knew that a car originally had 14 volts, does this only occur on American cars ?
erikcooper on 02/5/2004 09:37:15
A lot of alternators can be set up to run higher than 12, but alot cannot as well. There are a few that can be set to run 20v and 24v. 12v is what most will run at when the car is not cranked.
zInal3 on 02/6/2004 07:56:47
what if i add another battery which adds another 12v in my car, will it damaged the alternator or not ?
swez on 02/6/2004 10:04:38
A 2nd battery is a good option if you have a large alternator (120A or higher) to feed both batteries. The Deep Cycle type is best for amp only applications and you'll need a high CCA (800 + CCA) rated one to do the most for your application.
A battery isolation device is needed to charge both the primary and secondary batteries. You can probably run the sub amp off the 2nd battery alone and the 4 channel off the primary battery circuit. This is a bit more complex to perform, but will keep your lights from dimming on big bass hits.
A different way to go... use a HO Alt and high CCA rated primary battery for all power needs. You may need something custom here that can put out 200 amperes + of current. These are not cheap!!! But it is another way to get you there.
Rough assumptions:
1. Truck needs about 60A to operate normally
2. Sub amp will draw between 80-100A at full power (see owners manual)
3. The 4 channel amp is very efficent, so you may only need ~60A of current to feed this amp (see owners manual)
4. Use #2 power/ground wires back to amps off fuse and battery and a D-block for power distribution
5. Upgrade the Alt/Bat wire gage from stock to #2 wire
6. Use #2 wire for BAT to grounding block
7. Upgrade engine to body braided ground wire. Use 3 stock braids instead of 1, all connected to same loacations on block and body
Hope that gives you some options that fit your budget.
Swez
erikcooper on 02/10/2004 11:35:33
Ok, I have been looking around and it seems to be that when you upgrade to a HO alt that it is safer to add a second battery than not. How should I go about doing this? I haven't done this and figured someone here has.
Replies (8)
SUBTROY1 on 02/3/2004 23:48:25
Depending on how much power the amp is going to push, you may need an alternator upgrade. And maybe a larger battery if you don't allready have a sufficient one.
Troy
carbudgetaudio.com
cplkittle on 02/4/2004 09:23:59
and always upgrade the wires to match.
What is the total amp pull from the two amplifiers, and what size is the alternator? Also, you will be pleased to know if you already didn't that most pontiacs run around 14v.
erikcooper on 02/4/2004 12:51:18
I know, mine runs at about 15 volts actually but, this is all going in the Dodge. As of the 26th of this month I am giving the Pontiac to my little sister for her sixteenth birthday.
zInal3 on 02/5/2004 06:50:09
i never knew that a car originally had 14 volts, does this only occur on American cars ?
erikcooper on 02/5/2004 09:37:15
A lot of alternators can be set up to run higher than 12, but alot cannot as well. There are a few that can be set to run 20v and 24v. 12v is what most will run at when the car is not cranked.
zInal3 on 02/6/2004 07:56:47
what if i add another battery which adds another 12v in my car, will it damaged the alternator or not ?
swez on 02/6/2004 10:04:38
A 2nd battery is a good option if you have a large alternator (120A or higher) to feed both batteries. The Deep Cycle type is best for amp only applications and you'll need a high CCA (800 + CCA) rated one to do the most for your application.
A battery isolation device is needed to charge both the primary and secondary batteries. You can probably run the sub amp off the 2nd battery alone and the 4 channel off the primary battery circuit. This is a bit more complex to perform, but will keep your lights from dimming on big bass hits.
A different way to go... use a HO Alt and high CCA rated primary battery for all power needs. You may need something custom here that can put out 200 amperes + of current. These are not cheap!!! But it is another way to get you there.
Rough assumptions:
1. Truck needs about 60A to operate normally
2. Sub amp will draw between 80-100A at full power (see owners manual)
3. The 4 channel amp is very efficent, so you may only need ~60A of current to feed this amp (see owners manual)
4. Use #2 power/ground wires back to amps off fuse and battery and a D-block for power distribution
5. Upgrade the Alt/Bat wire gage from stock to #2 wire
6. Use #2 wire for BAT to grounding block
7. Upgrade engine to body braided ground wire. Use 3 stock braids instead of 1, all connected to same loacations on block and body
Hope that gives you some options that fit your budget.
Swez
erikcooper on 02/10/2004 11:35:33
Ok, I have been looking around and it seems to be that when you upgrade to a HO alt that it is safer to add a second battery than not. How should I go about doing this? I haven't done this and figured someone here has.
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