Is it because my System that my alternator died ??

Question

I was on the Highway the other day and my car just shut off, my alternator died. Someone told me its just about the time it needs a new alternator (around 60 thou miles he said). But i have a "soundstorm" 1500 watt amp and 2 kicker C12's in my trunk of my 99 chevy monte carlo, (with a stock alternator and normal battery). Today i replaced my Alternator with the same stock type, A.C. Delco. Do i need to get a deep cycle battery or a capacitor or am i all set with my new alternator ?

I have 1 amp. So u think i shuld get the yellow top battery and a cap. and whats the 3 big grounds?

Answer 1

do you have one or 2 amps?, any way 800 rms is pulling alot of power, an up grade on the alternator is not really needed till you get over 1000rms, but with what you have now to need to up grade the big 3 grounds, getting a yellow top Optima battery is a good idea, and if you don't replace the battery a cap is only going to stiffen the volts and protect your old battery damage.

Answer 2

The new alternator should last sometime, it should last another 60K miles. The Monte Carlo's engineers did not design the vehicle's electrical system with a sound system in the design. They designed it with the stock speakers and radio in the design. I would strongly suggest that you purchase a high output alternator from Stinger. As far as the battery's go I would purchase an Optima Yellow Top and mount it in your trunk, you'll need an isolator so that it will charge. That way you won't drain the battery that's under the hood when playing your stereo when the engine is off. You can leave the stock battery under the hood. Also you need to get a Capacitor. A rule of thumb is to use a 1 Farad capacitor for every 1000 watts of power. You can also find 1/2 Farad capacitors for systems operating at 500 watts. You can use multiple capacitors if you need to. Those items I just mentioned will prevent your alternator from burning out. If you have multiple amps you need a distribution block. Remember to use a fuse for the connection that runs from the amplifier to your battery's positive terminal, and minimum of 4 gauge wire size. That will prevent your amp from blowing or short circuiting. Remember to remove that fuse whenever you will be connecting or disconnecting cables from your amp. I've fried an MTX amp because I did not do that one time. You can visit Stinger's website(for the high output alternator), also Optima(for the yellow top battery), Streetwires, Lightning Audio, Rockford Fosgate also sells capacitors amongst other products. Good Luck.

Answer 3

Yes, your sound system, if inproperly installed (pulling more amps than your alternator produces) will definitely ruin an alternator; and shortly before that, usually ruins the battery.

If your alternator dies, go ahead and find a high perfomance alternator (around 130A) is a good idea, since you're already replacing it anyway. Also, a good "yellowtop" battery (top of the line with the maximum cranking amps you can find) and upgrading the ground wire from the battery to the first ground the battery grounds out to will also help.

Lastly, putting about a 1.5 to 2 farad capacitor (cost you between 100-300 dollars) will help all around once you fix the alternator and battery problems. Any time your lights dim you are hurting not only your car but your sound system also.

Sound sytems aren't cheap, period, but they are expensive to do correctly.

Answer 4

That 1500 watt amp pulls a lot of current. It depends on what the standard alternator is rated at as to whether it's stout enough or not. The big problem is the alternator is probably operating at 100% at all times just to keep up with that amp and whatever else is drawing power from the battery. Adeep cycle battery is not what you want. Get the highest cranking amps battery you can get to fit your car and an alternator with the highest amperage rating available for your vehicle.

Answer 5

A cap would help with the peak demands of your amplifier, but a bigger alternator would probably be best. You are looking for one in the 150-200Amp range. I have an 85Amp in my Mustang and it can barely keep up with the AC and lights...