Do I have sufficiant power?

[da5176]

I just had a 4-channel amp installed and the shop strongly suggested that I ad a capacitor to the system. I had installed, a MTX thunder 564 (75W X 4 RMS) amp with 4 awg power and ground wires. I already have a RF P3001 sub amp (300W RMS) with 4 awg power and ground wires. This is all in a 2006 Toyota Highlander 2 wheel drive 4 cylinder, no tow package. I don't know what the alt. power output is. I don't have any lights dimming at any time, but am thinking about adding a satellite radio to the mix. Does my alt. put out enough power for the current power draw I'm using? I don't want to cause any damage to the new vehicle. What would be the best course of action to take? Will I really need a bigger alt. or should I be fine with what I have? I need some thoughts and some suggestions from you guys if possible. Thanx

[da5176]

I just found out from my car dealer that my alternator put out 130 amps. Does that sound like enough?

[PolkThug]

You should be fine.

[da5176]

I was able to verify through my VIN # that my alt. is realy only 100 amps, not 130. Sorry for the confusion.

[MacLeod]

That should still be enough. 600 watts aint going to be that big of a draw.

[PoweredByDodge]

a 100 amp alternator will - all things being equal - more than sufficiently supply up to about 700 watts.

you're at 600.

you don't need a capacitor. you don't need another battery. you don't need ****.

[DemonAstroth]

OK, you seemed to have been able to help him, now...

If I have a stock 80 amp alternator...

is that sufficient to power:

Eclipse amp 760 w rms (380 x2 @4ohm) Pushing 2 10" infinity kappa perfects

and

Hifonics tx8805 440 w rms (110 x4 @4ohm) DB's 6500's components rear and infinity's


My headlights started to dim after I upgraded the subs from some type S's (which were only 200 watts rms each)

Also (probably set the gain in the amp too much), but i'm getting some clipping when I turn on the volume past 70 (out of 90).

Demon

[Joelsbass]

if your headlights are dimming you may want to look into getting your alternator re-wound. a decent shop can get you enough of a gain to cover your needs

[DemonAstroth]

I don't know how much that would cost...

I could get an higher amp alternator for 200 though.

230 for a 150amp, and 260 for a 200.

That would do it no?

For now... would a capacitor help at all? I know it just gets rid of the symptoms, but is it a viable *temporary* fix?

Demon

[PoweredByDodge]

you're a good 20 A under what you need (minimum).

Grab the 150 A alternator and a nice battery (Optima D34 should do the job - they're about 100 bucks at 1st optima batteries dot com).

You're not going to cover a 20 - 50 amp (headlights, etc) gap with a capacitor dude.

[DemonAstroth]

Well... i'm one step closer, as I already have an optima yellow top. I do love being able to listen to music with the car not running and not having to worry.

Anyway, I'm also thinking about "downgrading" (from a wattage perspective), my 4 channel speaker's amp, as the Hifonics is certainly not of the highest quality and I think I would be fine with something around 75 watts per channel.

I turned down the gain on the amp and it doesn't clip anymore, but I am still unsure as to where is it supposed to be:

My head unit has a 4v output, and the amp gain settings show 2v in one extreme, 8v at the other extreme, and 1v in the middle. I had it at 8v when it was clipping.

Thanks for your input, I will have to be getting an alternator.

Demon

[PoweredByDodge]

it probably shows .2 (POINT 2 -- as in 0.2) on one extreme, and 8 on the other...

0.200 V to 8.000 V is a common range for amplifier inputs.

peg it about 1/3 of the way between 1 V and 8 V and see how that goes.

[DemonAstroth]

it probably shows .2 (POINT 2 -- as in 0.2) on one extreme, and 8 on the other...

0.200 V to 8.000 V is a common range for amplifier inputs.

peg it about 1/3 of the way between 1 V and 8 V and see how that goes.

Thanks!

That really makes sense, I just couldn't figure it out, and since I cannot find any documentation I was just guessing.

Demon

[TrappedUnder Ice]

I have not been on here forever- just kinda looking around. It is so typical of a shop to try and sell caps! You dont ever ever ever ever need a cap like that in your system- you may want one...but you dont ever need one. Caps are just the gheto band aid of the last 5yrs. Just my 2 cents. And for those who know me...its been my stance for quite a long time.

[MacLeod]

Good to see ya back Thomas. Where ya been?

[DemonAstroth]

Yes, I have always understood that. Hence why I said it wold be a temporary fix, as it is a lot easier to install a cap than to replace an alternator.

What I do not understand though, is WHAT are capacitors for? I mean, if all these "reputable" companies are making them and selling them, are they really spending their time into designing a product that is not necessary?

Demon

[exalted512]

I have not been on here forever- just kinda looking around. It is so typical of a shop to try and sell caps! You dont ever ever ever ever need a cap like that in your system- you may want one...but you dont ever need one. Caps are just the gheto band aid of the last 5yrs. Just my 2 cents. And for those who know me...its been my stance for quite a long time.

lol. Never fails, the only time Thomas posts is when someone says the c word!
-Cody

[Joelsbass]

What I do not understand though, is WHAT are capacitors for? I mean, if all these "reputable" companies are making them and selling them, are they really spending their time into designing a product that is not necessary?

People buy them so someone sells them... if there were profit in it I'm sure you could buy toenail clippings from dozens of major manufacturers...

[TrappedUnder Ice]

Capcitor has many different applications. A cap would be better used on the mids of a high end system- when I say High end..I'm talking over 5k easy. The purpose of this would be too filter any flutter in the power that may occure during a stong mid range passage in a song. This will help the dynamics and your "head room" effect.

Alma gates did a study and found that she hit better #'s without caps then with- go figure!

Thanx for the warm welcome. I've been really into Home Theater and working around the house.

I sold the Intrigue and now have an HHR- stock Pioneer system- which is fair for stock. No plans too upgrade it at all.

The Hoe was broken into superbowl a year ago- and we now have an 07' hoe with stock Blows system- no plans too upgrade.

I have quite a bit of electronics for sale:) those who know me can attest too my worthiness :)

Peace -

[MacLeod]

Alma's Bronco is awesome!!!

[exalted512]

Capcitor has many different applications. A cap would be better used on the mids of a high end system- when I say High end..I'm talking over 5k easy. The purpose of this would be too filter any flutter in the power that may occure during a stong mid range passage in a song. This will help the dynamics and your "head room" effect.

Alma gates did a study and found that she hit better #'s without caps then with- go figure!

Thanx for the warm welcome. I've been really into Home Theater and working around the house.

I sold the Intrigue and now have an HHR- stock Pioneer system- which is fair for stock. No plans too upgrade it at all.

The Hoe was broken into superbowl a year ago- and we now have an 07' hoe with stock Blows system- no plans too upgrade.

I have quite a bit of electronics for sale:) those who know me can attest too my worthiness :)

Peace -

what all did the thieves get? I hate that crap.

My boss picked up an 07 hoe the other day. Very nice, I love how the radio has presets for XM and FM without having to change the source. Great idea.
-Cody

[TrappedUnder Ice]

They got the alpine HU, Sony monitors and the Eclipse EQ:

Idiots cut the cable too the monitors and left the small boxes under the seats and broke the brakets when they pulled them out- they are use-less now!.
The eq- was great...but kinda had it for 8yrs or so...

Damage was the worst- broke the dash plate and cut the leather seats!

oh well.- too bad you cant have nice things these days.

[1996blackmax]

Hearing about this stuff really makes me upset........why can't they just work for their sh** like we do.

[DemonAstroth]

Well....

My headlights haven't dimmed anymore. I think what happened is that when I installed the subwoofers, I was tuning it for quite a long time, while the car was off. I think I may have almost drained the battery. I have an Optima yellow top though. So once the alternator was able to recharge it I haven't had any problems... even while at idle.

And the clipping was fixed when I turned the amp to the proper gains.

I still need some front speakers though.... trying to find a good deal on MMC5250's, but still considering the alpine type S 5.25 component and the Eclipse 3 way component SC8355.

[DemonAstroth]

Well... I couldn't find any deals on the eclipse's nor the mmc's, so I ended up with:

Alpine SPX-177r

I got them for 100 dollars so I couldn't pass up the deal.