Upgrading the power
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 2
From: Portsmouth, VA
Upgrading the power
Guys I have a question for you about the trucks battery and alternator. Sometime over the next six months or so I really want to go out and upgrade my sound system with a nice big amp and subwoofers. The guy that owned my truck before hand had a similiar system set up when he owned the truck. He never upgraded any of the electrical system in the truck before hand and it killed the alternator. Just after purchasing the truck the alternator went dead. I knew he had a nice sound system set up by taking the truck apart and finding the audio cords ran everywhere.
I want to make sure that I do not make the same mistake and am curious about what kind of upgrades are out there for our trucks. Do I just need to upgrade the alternator or do I also need to go with a larger battery? I just do not want to be one of those guys going down the road with his lights dimming everytime the music hits a point or blow an alternator.
I'm not looking to be one of those guys that blasts his music so loud that everyone can hear it. I just like having a really nice audio system and I really enjoy what these upgrades can bring to the audio.
I want to make sure that I do not make the same mistake and am curious about what kind of upgrades are out there for our trucks. Do I just need to upgrade the alternator or do I also need to go with a larger battery? I just do not want to be one of those guys going down the road with his lights dimming everytime the music hits a point or blow an alternator.
I'm not looking to be one of those guys that blasts his music so loud that everyone can hear it. I just like having a really nice audio system and I really enjoy what these upgrades can bring to the audio.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
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From: SE Wyoming
Since the Alt. is dead anyway I'd throw in a 200amp one. Also you can get a battery isolator and do a dual battery set-up pretty cheaply. I have also read that the optimas will fit in the tray side by side. I've upgraded to a 200amp alt. but haven't done the dual battery set-up yet since my battery won't die on me.
Only thing to watch on a bigger Alt. is how much it cranks out at idle. My stock 130 put out over 12V easily at idle, my new 200 dips under 12V, I think the UD pullies are the main reason why. Anything over 650rpm or so it puts out the normal 14+.
Only thing to watch on a bigger Alt. is how much it cranks out at idle. My stock 130 put out over 12V easily at idle, my new 200 dips under 12V, I think the UD pullies are the main reason why. Anything over 650rpm or so it puts out the normal 14+.
New User
Joined: Sep 2006
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A 1 farad (or so) capacitor in line with the sub amp might do the trick with the stock alt. I have the stock alt (130 amp)in my 96 Mustang GT with over 2000 watts of amps with out much of a problem using a capacitor.. Galaxie's advice also sounds good to me too.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 874
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From: WI, sometimes MN & IA
Originally Posted by CNYE350
A 1 farad (or so) capacitor in line with the sub amp might do the trick with the stock alt. I have the stock alt (130 amp)in my 96 Mustang GT with over 2000 watts of amps with out much of a problem using a capacitor.. Galaxie's advice also sounds good to me too.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,353
Likes: 4,388
From: SW VA
I wouldnt mess with a capacitor. Just get a 200amp alternator when your old one goes out. I have a 700W amp in my truck, and even at idle with the stock alternator, the lights dont dim and she runs just fine.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2006
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I have the stock alternator and optima battery and I dont have a problem. I have a 1000w amp and a 760w amp and with the truck running along with the dual 15" electric fans the center light dosent dim. Without the truck running and the music really loud the center light dims just a slight bit, so I think you will be fine with the stock set up and not have and dimming problems with a moderate sized amp.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: allen park
I put a decent stereo in my truck some months ago. Using factory stock alternator with a 800 watt amp pumping on a 10 inch pioneer. With the volume all the way up (not recommended while inside the truck, let me tell you) the lights don't dim at idle. I think the stock alternator is MORE than adequate. I don't even have a cap installed on mine.
Heck, for a while I was running the factory battery until it quit taking a charge. This was from 1998. I just replaced it maybe a month ago with a 950 CCA DuraLast Gold battery. No problems whatsoever with it.
This sparks a question, why does ford install such wimpy batteries in a truck? It was a 650 CCA battery!
Heck, for a while I was running the factory battery until it quit taking a charge. This was from 1998. I just replaced it maybe a month ago with a 950 CCA DuraLast Gold battery. No problems whatsoever with it.
This sparks a question, why does ford install such wimpy batteries in a truck? It was a 650 CCA battery!
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