alt. question
Guest
Posts: n/a
alt. question
hey all,
I am rebuilding a 390 from the 360 fe and I was wondering if there were any problems with running a 500w sub off of the stock alternator (we are talking about the 60). I was going to put a capacitor (sp?) on the side of the case, but I was trying to save cash for other things...and I hate the "dime lights" syndrom of my other builds.
Any thoughts?
I am rebuilding a 390 from the 360 fe and I was wondering if there were any problems with running a 500w sub off of the stock alternator (we are talking about the 60). I was going to put a capacitor (sp?) on the side of the case, but I was trying to save cash for other things...and I hate the "dime lights" syndrom of my other builds.
Any thoughts?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,628
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Canada
A 500 W amp will draw up to 40 amps, perhaps more at peak; that is at 12.5 volts. Caps are junk; I think people like them because they are phallic, but they are a net drain on the charging system. If you're not going to go with an alternator, some go with a dry cell battery and an isolator, which is reputed to be effective and the way to go.
Why caps are bad: http://www.vvoc.co.uk/forum/showpost...59&postcount=1
Somebody did a full workshop on why caps are fundamentally a drain on a system.
Why caps are bad: http://www.vvoc.co.uk/forum/showpost...59&postcount=1
Somebody did a full workshop on why caps are fundamentally a drain on a system.
Last edited by furball69; Apr 28, 2006 at 08:16 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Independence, Missouri
I agree. A cap is a bandaid on a problem. Since you're rebuilding I would atleast upgrade the wiring of the vehicles charging system. This will make up for the amperage issue with the alternator. Alot of other issues of amps pulling current that dim lights is improper grounding and undersized wiring to the amp. This all makes the amp strain more and pull more power than is needed.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I will go with the wiring upgrade and test the voltage at the amp to see what is up. Granted I will have to put the engine back in, but soon enough. The worst thing is that I could get a different alternator if things are drawing too much.
thanks for the help
thanks for the help
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 6
From: Abilene Kansas
yes i agree with caps but i have tried a battery 2 feet from my 2 amps and i need something to help when the bass amp hits, basically just to keep the voltage from spiking really low and a battery recovery time is noticable unlike a cap... so i have both :P
Matt
Matt
