Well, I got the interiors to work through the power acoustik amp. Now its time to hook the 2 kenwood amps and the subs back up.
Question: How many amps can my car handle? Honda Accord 1992.
Three amps are quite a bit. The kenwoods will be pushing about 250rms to each sub, and the power acoustik shouldnt be pushing too much, just the 4 6.5" interiors, all rated at 150W max. Will this be too much for my car. If so, what do i do?
Replies (5)
ttocs on 05/13/2005 10:09:22
it will strain the electrical system a bit yes... There is only really one way to find out. Hook them up and if it is taxing the system you will need to learn to hold the urge to turn it up until you get the electricals upgraded..........
swez on 05/13/2005 11:44:20
Seems like stock Honda ALT is 80A max output at 2500 RPM. Your idle current will be less than 45A.
If a Denso model, can have up to 90A max output. If Bosche, 80A is their ratings.
Can get a free test on ALT output at most good autoparts stores so you know how well the ALT and BAT are performing... right in the service bay or parking lot.
Swez
PS What are the fuse ratings on each amp you plan to use on this install?
PSS Normal car draw is about 40A for all primary devices. A/C will need a few more amps of current, depending on blower speed. The cooling fans will also grab additional amps when they turn on as well. Best guess, you'll have ~30-40A available for stereo gear.
Black_Rob on 05/13/2005 14:12:52
When I just had the 2 kenwood amps, it did ok. It dimmed the headlights a little bit, but thats about it. We'll have to see what happens on the third amp.
Will this ruin my alternator? Do I need a cap or something?
MrBrownstone on 05/13/2005 14:43:20
A cap is a storage device, not a power supply. All it will likely do for you is to help keep your lights from dimming. It has not effect on the audio system.
Ruining your alternator isn't possible unless you are using a battery that is the improper voltage. Having a major audio system may shorten the life of an alternator, but at driving speeds, it isn't much of a factor.
Alternators have brushes that wear off from contact. the more power you drain, the shorter those brushes have. An alternator is like brake pads. The wheels won't fall off, but the pads will wear out sooner.
Be most concerned about purchasing the right amp for the job.
swez on 05/13/2005 20:57:19
Chance are good this system will put a good strain on your electricals at night or when the AC is running hard, along with your system.
As Mr. B. mentioned, a Cap may help with minor light dimming, but a larger CCA rated BAT (850 CCA or higher) is a better investment in the long run and cost about the same as a Cap. Even better, a deep cycle BAT is a good option in warmer climates.
Also, yes... brushes and bearings are common failure modes in cheap ALT's. The one I would suspect to happen here, is a failure in the voltage/current regulator. These are replaceable, if you are a decent mechanic and have the right tools.
Swez
Question: How many amps can my car handle? Honda Accord 1992.
Three amps are quite a bit. The kenwoods will be pushing about 250rms to each sub, and the power acoustik shouldnt be pushing too much, just the 4 6.5" interiors, all rated at 150W max. Will this be too much for my car. If so, what do i do?
Replies (5)
ttocs on 05/13/2005 10:09:22
it will strain the electrical system a bit yes... There is only really one way to find out. Hook them up and if it is taxing the system you will need to learn to hold the urge to turn it up until you get the electricals upgraded..........
swez on 05/13/2005 11:44:20
Seems like stock Honda ALT is 80A max output at 2500 RPM. Your idle current will be less than 45A.
If a Denso model, can have up to 90A max output. If Bosche, 80A is their ratings.
Can get a free test on ALT output at most good autoparts stores so you know how well the ALT and BAT are performing... right in the service bay or parking lot.
Swez
PS What are the fuse ratings on each amp you plan to use on this install?
PSS Normal car draw is about 40A for all primary devices. A/C will need a few more amps of current, depending on blower speed. The cooling fans will also grab additional amps when they turn on as well. Best guess, you'll have ~30-40A available for stereo gear.
Black_Rob on 05/13/2005 14:12:52
When I just had the 2 kenwood amps, it did ok. It dimmed the headlights a little bit, but thats about it. We'll have to see what happens on the third amp.
Will this ruin my alternator? Do I need a cap or something?
MrBrownstone on 05/13/2005 14:43:20
A cap is a storage device, not a power supply. All it will likely do for you is to help keep your lights from dimming. It has not effect on the audio system.
Ruining your alternator isn't possible unless you are using a battery that is the improper voltage. Having a major audio system may shorten the life of an alternator, but at driving speeds, it isn't much of a factor.
Alternators have brushes that wear off from contact. the more power you drain, the shorter those brushes have. An alternator is like brake pads. The wheels won't fall off, but the pads will wear out sooner.
Be most concerned about purchasing the right amp for the job.
swez on 05/13/2005 20:57:19
Chance are good this system will put a good strain on your electricals at night or when the AC is running hard, along with your system.
As Mr. B. mentioned, a Cap may help with minor light dimming, but a larger CCA rated BAT (850 CCA or higher) is a better investment in the long run and cost about the same as a Cap. Even better, a deep cycle BAT is a good option in warmer climates.
Also, yes... brushes and bearings are common failure modes in cheap ALT's. The one I would suspect to happen here, is a failure in the voltage/current regulator. These are replaceable, if you are a decent mechanic and have the right tools.
Swez
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