Batteries VS. Alternators.

[BudgetBuilder]

Hey all, longtime lurker here.

I just purchased a 2003 Suburban I'm wanting to do a build in.

Currently I have planned, four 15" NVX subwoofers (1000W RMS each) in a wall.

Thinking about powering it with some sort of 3k-4.5k amp, then about 1k for mids/highs.

Anyways, from a price to performance ratio, which is the better bet, more batteries, or more/bigger alternators?

Currently the vehicle has a 145A Alternator.

Looking at ohm's law for a rough estimate, if I want 5KW for the entire system, I need about 350A.

I'm thinking about buying a dual alternator bracket ($200) then running 1 more 253 Amp eBay alternator ($120).

This puts me at about $320 for what should be 400A of power.

I can also step up to a triple alt bracket ($300) and 2x 253A alts ($250) for $550 -> 651A.

Is there any reason for me to use excess batteries? They seem costly and take up space and require more wiring, so I've never used batteries in the past.

Any and all info is greatly appreciated.

[Wasteland_Audio]

I see very bad things in your future if you run those alts. Get a reputable alternator (DC Power, Mechman, etc.) and a couple XS 3100's. This may be expensive at first but it will save you a ton of money. dealing with shitty electrical is a nightmare, believe me.

[BudgetBuilder]

I see very bad things in your future if you run those alts. Get a reputable alternator (DC Power, Mechman, etc.) and a couple XS 3100's. This may be expensive at first but it will save you a ton of money. dealing with shitty electrical is a nightmare, believe me.

What do you foresee going wrong?

I can spend $320 for 400A with the eBay stuff, $700 for 300A with DC, $720 for 370A with Mechman, etc.

And at $370 for a single battery, I'd rather not do that unless it's essential.

[Jessica]

the ebay alt will do 1 or all of the following things

1. have no output at idle

2. fail leaving you stranded

3. catch fire

You want to do a build on the cheap, skip the alt altogether and just buy a second battery and a good volt meter and keep an eye on your voltage. Hell, i ran 3k+ on two g34's and a 90amp alt. You'll be fine.

[BudgetBuilder]

the ebay alt will do 1 or all of the following things

1. have no output at idle

2. fail leaving you stranded

3. catch fire

You want to do a build on the cheap, skip the alt altogether and just buy a second battery and a good volt meter and keep an eye on your voltage. Hell, i ran 3k+ on two g34's and a 90amp alt. You'll be fine.

I'm not worried about idle output.

I'll never be going full tilt unless demo'ing, and I can just rev the RPMS to 4K and be good, right?

With 2 alternators, even if one fails, I won't be "stranded", maybe without music until the warranty kicks in, but that's it.

I haven't heard of alternators catching fire though O.o

I don't really know anything about batteries yet. So you're saying two Group 34 batteries. Red top or Yellow? What's the difference?

I know I'm asking a lot without doing much research yet, I'm trying to ask questions while doing research. Hopefully that won't irritate anyone too much

[Jessica]

skip the yellow or red tops, get a good AGM instead.

I can see you are set on the ebay alts, so go get them.

im out

[BudgetBuilder]

skip the yellow or red tops, get a good AGM instead.

I can see you are set on the ebay alts, so go get them.

im out

Not set at all, just not into spending unnecessary money.

I appreciate the help while it lasted though.

[Wasteland_Audio]

Listen, neither I nor strangeduck are trying to be rude, but you've gone price blind. ebay alts claim that they make all kinds of power for a fraction of the price. This just isn't true. If you look through every build log on this site you will not find a cheap alt. This is because they have been proven to fail. These alts are put together using chinese parts that are weaker than stock and then overdriven with a smaller pulley. Please believe it when I and all the other experienced builders on here tell you that you are much better off and will actually save money by getting reputable, proven parts.

[Jessica]

look, it is necessary, but ive had this argument with guys a thousand times here. you want a shitty $140 alt when a brand new stock alt cost about that much. What the hell do you think you are getting? A pile of shit with a smaller pulley and cheap ass voltage regulator and horrible internals.

If ou would have spent 20 minutes searching "ebay alt review" you would know this already.

Good luck with your build. Hope you dont wast too much money on crap you will just have to buy again.

[Ron36]

You need to spend money on guality or your build is over before it starts , u will think 5k but only will be putting out 2k , no such thing as 350amp alt for $120 don't mean to be a dick.