I am running a 1200 RMS amp (Hifonics Brutus BRZ1200.1) and a 300W RMS Alpine amp for the speakers(can't think of model right now)I have upgraded the big 3 with 1/0ga wires and I have 1/0ga wire running all the way back to the amps.

My alternator cannot keep up especially with other electronics on(lights, radiator fans, etc) and it really bogs down and I'm forced to turn the volume down when idling otherwise it seems like my battery will just die. It does better when on the road but the lights still dim every time it hits a bass note.

I'm wondering what size alternator I should be upgrading to?

 

You will have to find out which one you have and then get a higher amp one. You might also want a battery with the most cranking amps that you can fit in the battery box.

 

I have the stock 105amp alternator right now. I have an Interstate battery that's relatively new but I don't know the cranking amps off hand, I'll have to look.

 

Well then all you need to do is go to the parts store and see what is available in a higher amp alternator. The biggest highest cranking amp battery you can fit in your battery box and that should do it.

 

105 is the highest "stock" alternator that I'm aware of, I know you can upgrade it to a 200amp model by sending it to an alternator rebuilder, but at idle they don't put out much more than the alternator does now, they only put out more amps at higher rpm. You can try raising your idle in gear by 200 or so and see if that helps out.

 

Hmm what do you think about this alternator?

http://www.dbelectrical.com/p-9264-a...-firebird.aspx

 

i'd look into a CS144 swap,especially a late model 140
amp one-if that isn't enough,could go to a converted
CS144 of around 200a.I think a 140 amp stock one
in good health will do the job(could be something wrong
with you CS 130,causing weak output.The late style 140
amp CS144 can be found in a variety of 1990~2002GM
cars;'94-97LT1 f-bod,olds aurora,cadillacs,ETC.Different
brackets and other mods will be needed to fit in place
of CS130-depends on the year of 3rd gen the CS144
goes into,almost direct fit into certain '82-83 and 85-86
f-bodys with 15 or 17SI alternators.

 

Sounds like you need a capacitor.. Capacitors store a temporary electrical charge that can be released during periods of extra power strain. If a vehicle has dimming headlights when music is played, a capacitor could solve that problem... just google car audio capacitors.. Stone

 

Yeah I actually orded a 2 Farad capacitor today so I'll see if that helps when I get it. I read about them and it seems to be more of a 'band-aid' than actually fixing the problem, but we'll see what happens I suppose.


I understand where you're going with that.. but I'd rather just buy an alternator that already fits and I can swap it out in like 20 mins tops without any extra hassles even if it does end up costing me like an additional $50 or whatever.

 

Let us know what works out for you iinversion.

 

I had my stock 105 amp CS130 rewound at a local starter, generator, alternator shop and it now outputs 140 amps. It cost me about as much as a new alternator, but it keeps up with my 1400wrms system without any trouble, also has a lifetime warranty. The shop also put on a slightly smaller pulley to keep the voltage up during idle.

 

i hear capacitors hurt more then they help....so i just run a extra car battery with my system never seems to fail

 

or a CS144 - they came stock on some impalas and caddy's.

Cap won't help but a 2nd battery can't hurt (don't forget to install an isolator).

 

Well I got the capacitor installed and I can say it did help a small amount, but the problem isn't gone. When everything is turned up the voltage drops as low as 11.5

I do like how the capacitor looks though so it wasn't a total waste of money xD

I think a new battery may be in order, suggestions?

 

I have a 1200w rms amp with 2 12s in my 1990 gm wagon with a 307. I upgraded to a 220 amp alternator and it helped a lot but still had problems until I got a 3 farad capacitor to go with it. Cap is good for hard hits and sudden draws of current, you need a good alternator first and foremost, but a loud system needs both.

 

Optima Battery.. Stone