Altenator problems with amplifiers?
02-07-2003, 07:24 PM
#1
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Altenator problems with amplifiers?
The guy at my local stereo store said that the altenator in my '03 WRX wagon wasn't very good for powering large amplifiers and they had a customer who blew out 2 altenators. Is this true? If so are there any aftermarket altenators I can buy so I don't have to worry about this? I have 2 Phoenix Gold ZX400ti amplifiers that I want to use in my new Subbie!
Thanks,
Rob
Thanks,
Rob
We got bigger alternators!!!!!
02-10-2003, 01:16 PM
#8
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Cap Wont help the problem, though will help bass responce... and i check my alternator in my RS and its a 75amp one... which is kinda low. With everything on; lights, fog lights, defroster, windshield wippers, and AC on full blast... and it was drawing 71 amps. Now all these will most likely be on all at the same time... or that would be one bad *** night hot rain storm.
I have found alternators online for about 500 bucks... but im gonna check out having mine rewound.
I have found alternators online for about 500 bucks... but im gonna check out having mine rewound.
02-10-2003, 06:26 PM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Redmond WA
Posts: 116
I got MY00 RS, and my alternator bearing is broken, and making a funny whinning noise now. and a shop told me it's because it's because it's constantly running at high out put, that's why the bearing wore out prematurely. is that true? cause I thought alternator should produce a steady current, like 75amps. and my system is not even that big, 65watts RMS and a 150 RMS.
also, is there any place that'll replace the bearing for me? thanks guys.
also, is there any place that'll replace the bearing for me? thanks guys.
02-13-2003, 11:59 PM
#10
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A Cap is just like a battery in some instances. its holds a charge even when the car is off. when the bass hits it is going to take its power from the cap, the cap will feel a loss of power. the battery will then trickle charge the cap back up. Now, if you were to have enough of a draw where the cap is having a huge draw off it, then yes, it will back up to the battery and your alternator will continue to have problems. To fix this you either need to have a larger Farad Cap (first step) or a Deep Cycle Battery. Now your 2000 watts, it could be a fake 2000w, meaning that that is peak power and your RMS (route mean square) power is much lower, more like a 1000. If you are infact runnin 1000w RMS, I suggest running 2 total Farads for Caps. Run your system at close to full tilt, turn your lights on and look for them dimming. if its very slight then you'l be should be fine, but if its fairly noticable, you need a larger cap or a deep cycle battery (recomend optima yellow top). another good way to test the draw is with a meter ofcourse. hook it up to your battery and run the system. if you notice you voltage dropping anywhere below 10.5 volts, you will be deffinately causing damage, even if its over time.
02-15-2003, 12:39 AM
#11
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What do you mean by trickle charge?
For my system I had 2 subs each 1000 R.M.S. watts, with 2 bat caps , I have removed 1 sub and 1 bat cap. But I still do not understand how someone can say that having caps and deep cycle batteries will solve the problem of a small alternator. If the system is struggling for more power why would you add a component that will draw more power off at the same time the subs might be drawing power? Sorry if this is a stupid question but can someone clear this up?
For my system I had 2 subs each 1000 R.M.S. watts, with 2 bat caps , I have removed 1 sub and 1 bat cap. But I still do not understand how someone can say that having caps and deep cycle batteries will solve the problem of a small alternator. If the system is struggling for more power why would you add a component that will draw more power off at the same time the subs might be drawing power? Sorry if this is a stupid question but can someone clear this up?
02-15-2003, 06:33 PM
#12
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What the deal is... is that adding a deep cycle battery and a cap will help the problem, only if its not a big problem. Meaning that if you are only drawing more then the alternator can put out for a brief time and it isnt constant it will be fine. The battery can put out a lot of juice for a while (starting the car). So you can push it a little, but after that you need a bigger alternator... like im gonna have to do.
02-17-2003, 07:13 AM
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 39
Car Info: 2002 WRX - Sedona Red
I've been running around 1000 watts in my 02 wrx and I've had no problem what so ever. Sometimes when I'm driving at night (with lights on) they will ocasinally dim if it's a song with alot of bass....but I've really haven't had a problem with it.
02-17-2003, 08:43 PM
#15
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hey, i'm pushing nearly 1000w and am having the same problem: lights dimming.
are there high-output alternators out there for the WRX?
i'm running a nakamichi 200x2 and a jl audio 500/1....900w rms, but i believe the jl amp is putting out more than 500w.
-db
are there high-output alternators out there for the WRX?
i'm running a nakamichi 200x2 and a jl audio 500/1....900w rms, but i believe the jl amp is putting out more than 500w.
-db