More juice

I got a 2002 sable and would like to know of a good online site where I can buy an alternator to upgrade my power. I'm gonna install an audiobahn 2300watt hi current amp and I've been told that my stock alt. wouldn't be able to handle it's drawing power. what do you guys think. also installing two other RF amps.Oh yeah will I also need an extra or different battery?

Replies (11)

xplicitblitzboi on 04/13/2003 01:25:08
yes, it would be good to have a battery entirely dedicated to your system, or at least upgrade to an optima yellowtop, they run around $60-80 at most auto parts stores. check ebay and mralternator.com, look for the ohio generators sites, stinger is know for good alternators also.

Swez on 04/13/2003 04:07:43
Pretty much the same here... Optima yellow is a deep cycle battery. The red top version is for starting and general applications. As I recall, NAPA carries an in-house brand similar to Optima, but a whole lot cheaper. Last time I checked a web site, Optima was not cheap.

Have a look: http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/optima.html

You may want to do some homework on that amp set up to determine what current draw will actually be. Seems to me, that this Bahn amp was 2400 watts bridged mono at 1 ohm load as well. How many fuses are used on the power input panel and the rating of same? My guess... this puppy draws close to 300 amps at full power ???

Swez

PS I checked the Bahn website and they had NO DETAIL on current draw specs for this amp

blacktallon2000 on 04/14/2003 13:00:57
should I get the red top and yellow top for the best performance, or will the yellow be enough with my stock battery

ttocs on 04/14/2003 13:03:53
300 amps? That sound too high.. The place I used to work for carried phoenix gold and I can remember the old 0.5 could get up to 130 amps or so.... That sucker was just massive, and they never die either..

Swez on 04/14/2003 13:33:29
That's what I am trying to figure out as well. Bahn does not off that information on their web site... or at least, I cannot find it!

Amp is rated at 2400 watts RMS @ 1 ohm, 1200 RMS @ 2 ohms, so current draw on that size amp will be huge. This is a High Current, Class A/B amp so efficiency ratings will be 55-60%...

The numbers:

2400/0.6 = 4000 watts input power
4000/14.0 volts = 285 amps

Since Bahn does not offer that spec in their site, am having trouble tring to figure out what this amp really draws under various loads and voltage inputs.

The Red Top is best for engine start and general applications. The Yellow top is designed for secondary power buffers (current source)to large amps. Most SPL guys use several secondary Bats to provide adequate reserve current when competing. The trick in daily driver applications, need adequate power to run all the basic car electricals. A modest amp... <500 watts can be added to most vehicles and still be OK.

However, with this Bahn amp, need lots of current to run this beast. Just adding a few extra batteries and charging them with a stock OEM Alt will generally not cut it. A big strain on the Alt to power the car electrical, charge a battery and then asked to fill additional storage Bats... pretty tough on a typical OEM charging system.

Again, what is the fuse count on that amp?

Swez

blacktallon2000 on 04/14/2003 13:55:46
There are four 40amp fuses in the back.

xplicitblitzboi on 04/14/2003 13:56:16
160x12=1920 watts roughly, but with 160 amps of current being pulled from your current alt, that wont really work. You will need another alternator for sure, over 200 amps. Or, you could get an extra alternator(around 180-200 watts) and dedicate that alternator just to your system, and leave the current alternator for running all the cars electrical needs.
Read my article on charging systems for a more detailed explanation.

Swez on 04/14/2003 19:22:54
Thanks for that detail... 4 x 40 amp fuses is 160 amps max draw. That sure does not jive with well with specs and cannot be RMS power rating of this amp.

160 x 14.4 = 2304 watts max power... or more like 1200 RMS @ 14.4 volts supply.

As so aptly explained by XPL, you would definitely want a very large primary Alt (250A or so) and a very large CCA rated battery (1000 + CCA)

The other option, is to set up a dedicated power supply for your amps only.... meaning a 200A seconadary Alt and maybe a pair of 900+ CCA rated Bat in parallel.

Swez

blacktallon2000 on 04/17/2003 02:48:47
I found this alternator on ebay and was just wondering if it's for real. Have any of you guys heard of a 700 amp alternator,or seen this type used.
And if so would this one do the trick ?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2411372692&category=33573

xplicitblitzboi on 04/17/2003 12:04:02
the alternator for sale there is a 200 amp alternator. With the comment on the 700 amp alternator, i dont know about that, i havent heard much about it.

Swez on 04/17/2003 11:54:08
Looked at that site and seems like this guy is pretty serious about his abilities to offer high powered Alts at very low prices. I would check him out for negative comments and reports by past clients.

His claims are exceptional, but a 700 A alt is not needed in your application. A 250-300 A primary alt should do the job for both car and amps. Maybe... he has indeed figured out a better "mousetrap".

But... find out what his return policy is, if the product does not meet the claims in his listing, does he stands behind his products fully... If yes, I'd say there is a good chance he has a good product.

You can have the alt tested for actual output. If that is within specs.... you'll have a better than average product, at a very low price. Just know that if it sounds too good to be true, maybe it is not what you want.

A little research would be a good thing, before you take the plunge. Ask to speak to some of his customers if possible. Than you will know what you are getting.

Keep us posted on your findings OK?

Swez