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Stock Alternator Not Enough For Upgrade?


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I have a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Just put a beautiful new 15" sub. Planning on putting an 800rms amp on it with 0gauge power and ground of course. My stock Alternator is 136 amps (To my researched knowledge) I do NOT have the big three upgrade YET. Right now i'm running the sub one a cheap mtx 250.1 which is 250rms and 2 ohms. The headlights dim a little but i can tell. Even if i do the big three, whih i will do no matter what, does anyone think my alt can handle 800rms -1000rms?

Stock Alternator

Stock Battery

Custom Box Tuned at 35Hz (built a little sketchy, first box)

Soon Big 3 Upgrade

MTX 250.1 (250rms 2 ohms)

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The first thing for you to do with your current 800w setup would be to run a 1/0 charge and ground cable directly from the alternator to the positive and negative post of the battery. Don't ground the alternator to the engine or frame, ground it straight to the battery. Ground your battery to the chassis using 1/0 too.

Then get a good battery in there, something like an XS Power D3400 or D6500. This should help with the current setup you have and will be necessary with your increased output in the future.

Also set your gains properly, ANY clipping will increase the dimming issues substantially.

And once you have the battery and cable installed and the gains set properly if you still have dimming issues you will need a high output alternator.

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you don't need 0 gauge power for a 800 rms amp. you almost dont need the big 3. once you do big 3 and if you have a good bat you should be fine. depending on youfr headlights you may always get some dimming. switch to hid!

edit: civic is refering to mechman, good guys.

Edited by Bump4life

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BMW M340 xDrive

Stock, for now. Corner Load 10" maybe soon. But does 10s in the 1/4...
Best Scores out of a trunk
153.0 sealed legal full tilt clamped 5524 @ 42 hz
154+ windows down, 155+ kick

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you don't need 0 gauge power for a 800 rms amp. you almost dont need the big 3. once you do big 3 and if you have a good bat you should be fine. depending on youfr headlights you may always get some dimming. switch to hid!

right because the stock wires tahst arw usually 8g or smaller can supply say 4g wire... NOT

the big 3 is a mUST for any system no matter how big or small it is..VOLTAGE is the key in any system

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The big three helps with any system and stopped my light dimming. H/o alts IIRC most of the time come into play with over 2000watts

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee LaredoPioneer AVH- 3200DVD2/0 Flex-A-Prene Welding Cable

(2) Fully Loaded Fi Sp4's dual 1-------> My YouTube Channel <-------

Needs more power those woofers will laugh at that turd

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you don't need 0 gauge power for a 800 rms amp. you almost dont need the big 3. once you do big 3 and if you have a good bat you should be fine. depending on youfr headlights you may always get some dimming. switch to hid!

right because the stock wires tahst arw usually 8g or smaller can supply say 4g wire... NOT

the big 3 is a mUST for any system no matter how big or small it is..VOLTAGE is the key in any system

im saying he doesnt need to run 0 guage power wire to his amp. it would be overkill and a waste of money. the only reason to do is if he would ever upgrade. 4 gauge power wire would be more than efficient. and he could use 4 guage for big 3 too if he doesnt plan on upgrading. but 0 gauge is always better.

Buyer/Seller Feedback Thread: http://www.stevemead...5015-bump4life/
MB C220 153 Trunk Car Build Log: http://www.stevemead...d/#entry1840136
MB C280 Ipad Dash SQ Build Log: http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/194484-bump4lifes-new-benz-tony-c-relay-kit-pictures-ce-electric-audison-front-stage-installed/
My SPL Log: http://www.stevemead...__fromsearch__1

BMW M340 xDrive

Stock, for now. Corner Load 10" maybe soon. But does 10s in the 1/4...
Best Scores out of a trunk
153.0 sealed legal full tilt clamped 5524 @ 42 hz
154+ windows down, 155+ kick

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im running 1500 watts on a 119 amp alt in my jeep wrangler and i dont have too much voltage drop, ive got all 1/0 gauge and the big three on a factory batt(im working on getting a new starting batt and a little 20 amp hour batt in the back just to keep it steady), the alt charge wire on my jeep was 6 gauge so upgrading that is a must and helped me maintain an extra volt under load

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^^ listen to the man

thats all the answers you need

again a outstanding vendor not even trying to push a product on you thats sweet

Just trying to share the knowledge gained from experience.

While I am in the business of selling high output alternators they are not always the solution to the problem. If I sell an alternator for hundreds of dollars and it doesn't solve the original complaint I would look like a jerk, have an unhappy customer and damage our reputation.

The OP needs to upgrade some cables and install a better battery, then adjust the gains properly and I think he will be fine with his system for now. In the future if he needs a high output unit we will be able to set him up properly.

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