alternator question please answer

[mzdspd]

if i upgrade my alt. to like 150 amps what else will i need to upgrade.

[McRallye]

Since your creating more amps you might need a thicker wire, but sice your not getting more than 12V then I don't think any upgrades are necessary.

[BumpNGlow]

I put 4 awg wire coming from the alt to the battery, instead of the factory 10 awg. and I also upgraded my ground. The new ground is 2 1/0awg, but thats overkill and is just for show. But those are the 2 wires I would upgrade. Whats the point of upgrading the output if the wire can't handle it?!?!

[Moe_maX]

if you're upgrading the alternator you're gonna have to upgrade your battery also.

[92RedMX3]

why would you have to upgrade a battery?

[voltaire]

Does upgrading an alternator rob any significant HP? Or do they create more juice because they are just more efficient?

[BumpNGlow]

depends the alternator but for the most part it does NOT rob you of much hp of any. the pulley size stays the same and the resistance should be equal. Also, if you are looking for an alternator for your racing car, Ohio Generator makes free spin alternators that create a LOT less drag than the regular type alternators. At higher speeds, if enough air is pushing it, it will spin, unlike the other alternators that create drag and won't spin fast enough.<P><BR>As for upgrading the battery, you don't have to do it, but I recommend it. Alternators can recharge the battery, but you still want something that will give you the power on demand like you need it... if you already have a nice battery, don't worry about it too much.

[Paragon]

if you're upgrading the alternator due to dimming lights when the bass hits, don't do it. overkill. a new battery or a capacitor will solve your problems, and are cheaper and easier to install. also, if you do upgrade your alternator, change the wires going from the alternator to battery to at least 4 gauge, and i'd also re-do the wire from battery to ground with a 2 gauge.

[mzdspd]

i think im gonna go with 2 power acoustik 2.4 fared caps would thid be a better idea i am gonna have a power acoustik mofo 15, powered by a 2000 watt rms ultralinear amp, and a 250 watt ultralinear amp for my highs, along with an eq, crossover, and line driver. will the caps be enough?????<P>thanks for all the help

[tk1138]

With just the amplifiers, that's 2.3k watts if they're ideal. current=power/voltage=2.3kW/12V=188A. And this is just for the amplifiers. If you're going to use all that power you'll deffinatly need a bigger alternator. <P>A bigger battery or cap(s) wont cut it if the alt cannot recharge them, although it would help if the ONLY problem you experience is dimming lights. Do a search for alternators on this forum, you'll find a lot of info, especially the thread started by BumpNGlow.