Hi I have a 94 Cutlass Supreme and I had a 15'' SoloBaric l7 with a 1400.4 channel Crunch Ground Pounder amp.I was in the car listening to music with my friend the ignition was on ACC and was on for maybe about 20 minutes.Than I powered on my car and as I started to drive the Volt light came on my dash!!and drove for about 10 minutes more than shut off.I disconnected the amp.I got a jump it stayed on for about 3 minutes and cut back off.I got another jump and as I started to try to drive the lights got dimmer as I got on the gas, and and than cut off again.Is this my alternator or some other issue? please help!!!
2007-01-15 14:29:15 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Audio
sounds like it's your alternator, and if the battery was drained all the way down more than once, it might be bad by now as well
Do yourself a favor - when you replace the alternator, replace it with one that has a higher output
Also, if you have a regular battery in your car, NEVER leave a system playing for 20 minutes - you'd be just asking for trouble!
2007-01-15 15:48:31 · answer #1 · answered by Mister 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Something to consider...this is an example...
To calculate the current draw of an amplifier, multiply the total RMS watts by 2 to account for amplifier inefficiency (We'll say 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), and you will come up with the mimimum average current required to power the audio system and vehicle. I would recommend going with the next highest rated alternator you can find.
2007-01-15 16:54:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it sounds like an alternator. The battery is not charging that is why you keep having to get a jump.
2007-01-15 14:35:10 · answer #3 · answered by hankster23 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a better battery, better alternator, and maybe even thicker power wire with an in-line fuse.
2007-01-22 15:15:52 · answer #4 · answered by beezbz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only 3 things could be // short in wire// bad battery // bad alternator probably alternator // to run large amps like that you need extra battery and extra large amp output alternator
2007-01-15 14:38:37 · answer #5 · answered by toadyboy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is why you need to put the sound system in your house, not your car where it can disturb everyone around you. Cars are not stereos on wheels, they are for driving. You alternator is designed to power your car, not a concert.
2007-01-15 14:35:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like you cooked your battery or alternator.
2007-01-23 10:44:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yep, and the battery is in need of a charge or needs replacing a weak battery ca n cause the alt. to go kaput need to mcheck both and replace customery and usual!
2007-01-15 14:38:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your alternator is a piece......there would be no other possible solution
2007-01-15 14:33:44 · answer #9 · answered by carguy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋