Help from Car audio enthusiasts----will a 200 watt amp shorten the life of my battery and altenator?

Question

having an Infinity basslink installed, it seemed large enough for a jeep liberty, I just can't afford new batteries and altenators every 6 months

It's an Infinity Basslink subwoofer, in a jeep liberty

It is infinity basslink subwoofer(amp and sub combo 10 inch 200 watts), boy all this help is appreciated

Answer 1

the car battery is not a problem as long as you arent listening to your radio for long hours at a time without the engine on. if your engine is on, then there isnt a problem with the battery draining or w/e becuase it constantly recharges while the engine is on. If the alternator goes out then itll be for other reasons. Alternators go out randomly sometimes and its prolly just coincidence... do a check up on it just to be on the safe-safe side but you dont really need to worry about it at all with a 200 watt amp... maybe if it was a 1000watt amp or something, but a 200watt amp is pretty low.

Answer 2

Something to consider...this is an example...

To calculate the current draw of an amplifier, multiply the number of channels by the RMS watts per channel (a 2 channel amp rated at 500 watts RMS per channel would be 1000 watts). Double it to account for amplifier inefficiency (1000 watts X 2 = 2000 watts), then divide by the average output voltage of an alternator, 13.8 volts (2000 divided by 13.8 = 145 amps). Since the average music signal requires about 1/3rd of the average power in a test tone, divide by 3 (145 amps divided by 3 = 48 amps).

This is an average approximation of current draw and it can go higher. So I would gather between *48 and 72 amperes for this example.

The alternator of a:

compact car is about 35 amps
mid-sized car is about 65-75 amps
SUV is about 145 amps

Calculate 40% of the amperes of the alternator you have now. This is the average current the car uses when running. Add this number to the approximate average current draw (*48) of the amps you calculate, and you will come up with the mimimum average current required to power the audio system and vehicle.

If the number you come up with is the same as what your alternator supplies, you need to take no action.

Answer 3

unless you're driving a lawnmower, you shouldn't have a problem at all with a 200 watt amp.

The only way you'd have a problem with your battery is if you decided to run the stereo for long periods of time with the engine shut off.

Since you're using a 200 watt amp, I'm guessing that you're not using it for subs, which means that there would be even LESS current draw from the electrical system.

Answer 4

Anytime you "tax" the system for extra power, you are using more of the "life" of the altenator, the battery will survive if the charging system is in good working order and the terminals are clean and free from corrosion. Make sure the Altenator belt is in good condition and adjusted properly.

Answer 5

no it will not a 200watt amp should cause no damage 2 your vehicle's alternator nor battery i have a 99 Montero sport with 4 12's and running 4000 watts of power. only 200watts will need no Compacitors of n e thing your alternator should do the job with no problem.

Answer 6

it shouldn't have much effect on the alternator, However running the amp with the ignition off will kill the battery if done for a long period of time. and of course killing and recharging the battery will damage it it done excessively.

Answer 7

both can handle 200 watts. you'll still need to replace your battery every few years, and your alternator about every 70k-130k miles. in other words, it wont hurt either.

Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

nahh