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Thread: How much power can my alternator handle? |
    
Bronze Member Username: Weezer4rock
Post Number: 12
Registered: Dec-07
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 06:44 pm: |
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I've got a 2000 Civic with an alternator rated at 75 amps. How much amplifier power do you think my alternator can handle safely? |
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Platinum Member Username: Wingmanalive
A pic is worth
1000 posts!!
Post Number: 16605
Registered: Jun-06
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 09:16 pm: |
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75 amps isn't much. Top of my head I would say 750w and below?
Other informed members will chime in. |
Gold Member Username: Nd4spd18
Northwest PA
Post Number: 7454
Registered: Jul-06
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| Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 03:10 am: |
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Thats a good estimate Paul. |
Bronze Member Username: Weezer4rock
Post Number: 13
Registered: Dec-07
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| Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 11:02 am: |
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do you mean rms? |
Gold Member Username: Nd4spd18
Northwest PA
Post Number: 7466
Registered: Jul-06
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| Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 12:42 pm: |
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Yes always measure wattage in RMS never peak, it is useless. |
Gold Member Username: N2audio
Lawrence,
Ks
USA
Post Number: 1578
Registered: Mar-04
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| Posted on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 11:06 am: |
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it depends. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that a 60A alt can sufficiently power a 1000w rms system, but others have had trouble with a lot less.
Personally - I had a car with a 75A alt. A lot of enthusiast owners of that particular car believed the alt was undersized W/O any aftermarket electronics. Regardless, I went ahead and installed a 1000w+ system. It wasn't ideal, but it ran ok for 2 yrs or so. |
Gold Member Username: Th3pwn3r
I compensate...
Post Number: 8098
Registered: Jul-06
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - 02:31 pm: |
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Efficiency of your amplifiers plays a huge role in what your alternator will support wattage wise. You might have 2 different amps that produce 1,000 watts RMS but one only uses 50 amps for example versus 100 amps. |
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