How Much Power Do I Need?

[Alex]

I have 1 18" Q being powered by a Sundown SAE-1000D, 1000 Watt amp. Right now I'm just using the stock battery, and I don't think that it has enough power, because I already killed one battery after only using it very little. I need to know if I should get a better alternator or just a better battery, and maybe a capacitor. I'm not sure what type of battery I should get either... I was looking into getting an Optima yellow top, but I'm not sure which one would fit best in my car. The system is in a 2004.5 model Volvo S40, and I didn't see any Volvo option on Optima's website or any of their dealers.

So, to shorten this up a bit I need to know:

-what battery to get, or if the first battery dieing was just some sort of freak accident that shouldn't happen again

-if i need a better alt.

Here are the amp specs., Wattage is RMS and mine is running right now at 900W-

# 1000 x 1 watts @ 1 ohm

# 600 x 1 watts @ 2 ohms

# 300 x 1 watts @ 4 ohms

# 0.2v - 6v adjustable input sensitivity

# 10 Hz - 350 Hz Frequency Response

# > 90 dB S/N Ratio

# 4-Way Protection Circuit (Thermal, Overload, Speaker Short, and Over Current)

# Linkable to another SAZ-1000D for 1800 watts @ 2 ohms

# 35 Hz - 300 Hz adjustable 24dB Low-Pass Crossover

# 10 Hz - 60 Hz adjustable 24dB Subsonic Filter

# 0 - 180 degree adjustable phase shift

# 0 - 18 dB adjustable bass boost with 45 Hz center frequency

# Wired Remote Control unit included

# 3x 30 Amp Internal Fuses

# 4 AWG power and ground terminals **

# 11.5" L x 10.2" W x 2" H

Edited February 14, 2008 by Alex

[ARMYSGT_D]

im in the same boat as you right now i have a t1k in a 07 camrymy build

i think the d34 battery fits your because my friend has an s60 and we have the same size battery

im going to be getting a yellow top this week

[korey_hofer]

why did you buy a btl to run off of 1000 watts when a ssd would probally handle the power and is cheaper?

[Jman08]

x2 your underpowering that btl Alot

[Alex]

I just wanted some extra power to be available if I ever wanted to use it. I knew a 1000W amp couldn't really cause much damage to a 2000W sub, and like I said in the first post, I thought my stock system could power it. I have 2 amps in my truck powering 1 12, and 4 door speakers and never had any problem with powering them, but then again I think those 2 amps from my truck have less power combined than the 1 in my car. Anyway, could I just get a yellow top and put it in the trunk and keep the stock battery where it is, would that be too hard on the alt? would a kinetic in back be enough? would a cap. help any? thanks.

[DWeezy3one3]

Look into getting a High Output Alternator, And maybe a kinetik hc600 up front along with your stock and a 1400 in the back.

Edited February 12, 2008 by DWeezy3one3

[Alex]

Ok, just to clarify here... You really think I need a bigger alternator just to push my amp set at 900w? I was thinking just a good dry cell like a yellow top would do the trick. Not trying to keep asking the same thing over and over, would just like another opinion before I go changing alts.

[ALPINE408]

under powering a sub can hurt the sub

[Thewes]

under powering a sub can hurt the sub

False on so many levels. Under powering a sub generally leads to people throwing a dirty signal at it to get it louder. Clipping/distortion comes in, then game over, but I doubt 1000 watts is even moving a BTL.

[ALPINE408]

False on so many levels. Under powering a sub generally leads to people throwing a dirty signal at it to get it louder. Clipping/distortion comes in, then game over, but I doubt 1000 watts is even moving a BTL.

and that cant hurt a sub???????/