What kind of system can I do?

[Mar424]

I have a 94 Honda Accord and believe it has a 70 amp alternator.

BUT, what I need help on doing is figuring out what size(watts) amp I could use with killing my alternator.

Anybody know? And can you also share the logic to why its that much?

[venomcaraudio]

depeniding on what you want whether your setting up too be LOUD or just a little bass is what you need to get........if you wanna be LOUD an upgraded alternator or a extra battery, or even an xtatic batcap will do the trick....something for a little bass use a capacitor it all depends on what you want

[pimprolla112]

Capacitor bad.

As for your tiny alternator its because the engine requires less electrical power and the cars accesories are smaller and dont require as much power as say a 4x4. Now back when i had my corolla which had the same size alternator i was abe to run 600 watts with no light dimming or electrical upgrades.

[Mar424]

Originally Posted by venomcaraudio

depeniding on what you want whether your setting up too be LOUD or just a little bass is what you need to get........if you wanna be LOUD an upgraded alternator or a extra battery, or even an xtatic batcap will do the trick....something for a little bass use a capacitor it all depends on what you want

adding another battery would just be more stress on the alternator, and a capacitor wouldnt be a long term solution.

so im guessing i could run about 2 12"s at around 300rms each in a ported box?

and anything bigger than that would need a bigger alternator? what are some places where i can look at prices?

[venomcaraudio]

yea you got a point about the battery putting more stress on the alternator and 300 rms is good ohiogenerator is good.......if you go with alternator upgrade i can help you get a good price with that

[Galuple]

Originally Posted by Mar424

adding another battery would just be more stress on the alternator, and a capacitor wouldnt be a long term solution.

so im guessing i could run about 2 12"s at around 300rms each in a ported box?

and anything bigger than that would need a bigger alternator? what are some places where i can look at prices?

I'm currently doin 2 subs @ 300 rms each in a 92 civic, and as far as i can tell, the alternator is smaller than the accord's.

[sickcallawayc12]

Originally Posted by Mar424

I have a 94 Honda Accord and believe it has a 70 amp alternator.

BUT, what I need help on doing is figuring out what size(watts) amp I could use with killing my alternator.

Anybody know? And can you also share the logic to why its that much?

It usually takes quite a bit of power/watts to shorten your alternator's life. I think PaudD mentioned in a recent post that most alternators can handle up to 1k watts or something. If you're worried about your alternator, then upgrade it. Even if you don't, upgrade if once it fails since it will eventually. And do that first, upgrading the battery or getting two puts more stress on the alternator.

[PaulD]

best thing to do is put it all in and let it rip ...... if the alternator can't handle it or dies, then replace. Don't spend money needessly.

[dbfreak147.5]

^^^^ i like pauls idea!!!
and a capacitor is pointless all it does is light up!
i mean yea a capacitor gives the system the juice it needs at a point in time and is supposed to save battery power, but they also charge very quick, so after the capacitor gives that little boost it takes the same amount of battery power, to recharge itself
adding another battery would be the best solution, it actually keeps stress off the alternator

[sickcallawayc12]

Originally Posted by dbfreak147.5

adding another battery would be the best solution, it actually keeps stress off the alternator

How?

[dbfreak147.5]

well a battery works as a cap that doesn't recharge very quickly
you know it is actually hard to explain but trust me i have a civic and their alt is about 60 amp and i have been running 2 batterys for about 4 months and i haven't had a problem yet

[sickcallawayc12]

Originally Posted by dbfreak147.5

well a battery works as a cap that doesn't recharge very quickly
you know it is actually hard to explain but trust me i have a civic and their alt is about 60 amp and i have been running 2 batterys for about 4 months and i haven't had a problem yet

Well i'm not calling you a liar, but.............................................I dunno how to finish this sentence.

The alternator is working to power all the accessories you are running as well as keeping the battery fully charged. I just don't see how adding a second one benefits the alternator in any way. Perhaps someone can discuss how all this works in greater detail.

[PaulD]

adding another battery is indeed just putting another load on the alt. The amount of that load will depend on how discharged the battery is at that moment in time. If you don't play the system at full power, all the time - then the secondary battery is just providing a little "buffer." The problem with relying on batteries for power (when the car is running) is that the battery CANNOT supply ANY power until the load (amplifiers) draws so much power that voltage from the alterator sags below the batteries float voltage .... usually about 12.5V.

[dbfreak147.5]

well let me say this Capacitors suck all they do is light up real pretty lol