Alternator Choices For High Output Subwoofer And Amplifier

[AverageVolvo]

As posting says, I installed a 500rms watt P3 12"fosgate and Alpine 500Rms amp. My lights are dimming. I have an optima battery, and just bought a Farad Cap. And will be doing the Big 3 wire upgrades, BUT am curious as too what alternators can be used to upgrade a 1996 850 turbo

I believe mine is the factory 100 amp, I believe there is a 120Amp also on some cars, is their anything bigger.???

Thanks

Ryan

[HeavyIron]

As posting says, I installed a 500rms watt P3 12"fosgate and Alpine 500Rms amp. My lights are dimming. I have an optima battery, and just bought a Farad Cap. And will be doing the Big 3 wire upgrades, BUT am curious as too what alternators can be used to upgrade a 1996 850 turbo

I believe mine is the factory 100 amp, I believe there is a 120Amp also on some cars, is their anything bigger.???

Thanks

Ryan

You mentioned that you just bought a 1 farad cap. Is it installed already? You may want to have your alt. looked at to make sure it is putting out. I believe you are right that the biggest Volvo alternator is 120amps on the XC90's. 1000 watts is big, but unless you are running at earsplitting leveles all the time, your lights shouldn't be dimming that much with a 1 farad cap and Optima battery installed.

[Young Burnsy]

How long is your ground wire and what gauge are you using?

[HPTDoh]

1000 watts is big, but unless you are running at earsplitting leveles all the time, your lights shouldn't be dimming that much with a 1 farad cap and Optima battery installed.

Re-read..It's only 500w. Agreed with the other posts, though... You probably don't need a bigger alternator.

[Young Burnsy]

Re-read..It's only 500w. Agreed with the other posts, though... You probably don't need a bigger alternator.

There is absolutely no way you need a bigger alternator. If it is outputting up to spec. The first thing to check is your ground wire. It's either too long, not a large enough gauge or the end of the ground isn't making enough contact.

[AverageVolvo]

Thanks for all the replies, No the farad cap is not yet installed, I purchased it after the lights were dimming. I ran 4 gauge to the trunk , and splitter to 8 gauge because the amp only inputs @ 8 gauge(manf specs call for 8 gauge)

RE: young burnsy comment. Yeah you were right. The previous owner ran 10 gauge wires for a 200 watt setup and I ignorantly mistook it for 8 gauge and used the inferior 10 gauge ground wiring. After the capacitor and Re-wiring light dimming is only present at idle after 5 minutes or so.

And yes I listen to it very loud nearly all the time.(spare me the hearing loss comments : )

Thanks again, for assisting me in my mind numbing bass : )

[ryan850-t5]

might want to try at least 4 AWG. I might just do 1/0 awg while if i have to do it.

[AverageVolvo]

might want to try at least 4 AWG. I might just do 1/0 awg while if i have to do it.

Thanks, as stated above I ran 4 gauge into the trunk, and split off to 8 gauge 18 inches from amp because the amp only accepts 8 gauge leads.

Ryan

[Young Burnsy]

might want to try at least 4 AWG. I might just do 1/0 awg while if i have to do it.

You'd have absolutely no problems with 4 gauge. 1/0 is extreme overkill and expensive.

http://www.the12volt.com/wiring/recwirsz.asp

Use this link as your guide. You can find many helpful diagrams and guides on this site.

[AverageVolvo]

You'd have absolutely no problems with 4 gauge. 1/0 is extreme overkill and expensive.

http://www.the12volt.com/wiring/recwirsz.asp

Use this link as your guide. You can find many helpful diagrams and guides on this site.

Thanks again Young, lol I actually used 12 volt to figure out the ohm wiring for the sub/amp did not think to look for wiring specs , thanks.

Ryan

Thanks for the advice,

Fosgate 12" 500rms slot ported tuned to 38hz rattles my fillings loose : )

[prasamin]

still dimming with an optima, and cap, and short grounds, and 4awg?

it's either REALLY FARKING LOUD, or you need to test your alternator output

[AverageVolvo]

still dimming with an optima, and cap, and short grounds, and 4awg?

it's either REALLY FARKING LOUD, or you need to test your alternator output

Dimming before the cap, also one ground was not adaquete.

LOL, alternator is putting out 14.2 so all seems well.

But my amp/sub do draw 60 amps..

Now the lights only dim after 5 minutes or so only at idle, with music cranked up to 80% any louder and the tailgate and rear doors as well as roof start to flex, Guess its time to lay down some more dynamat.

[ryan850-t5]

try getting a different distro block that has 4awg outputs and run 4 awg all the way from the batt, through the distro, and to the amp.

[Ghost Shadow]

Dimming before the cap, also one ground was not adaquete.

LOL, alternator is putting out 14.2 so all seems well.

But my amp/sub do draw 60 amps..

Now the lights only dim after 5 minutes or so only at idle, with music cranked up to 80% any louder and the tailgate and rear doors as well as roof start to flex, Guess its time to lay down some more dynamat.

return the cap, and go buy a http://www.kinetikaudio.com/hc600.asp and your problems are solved.

i do not have a cap installed in my car. you can click on the link in my sig to see what i have done with my "system"

[AverageVolvo]

return the cap, and go buy a http://www.kinetikaudio.com/hc600.asp and your problems are solved.

i do not have a cap installed in my car. you can click on the link in my sig to see what i have done with my "system"

Thats a damn fine audio system you have, thanks for the advice, I will consider that once I upgrade the stereo again.