Is a 160 amp alternator good?

The high amp alternator will give you more replacement juice if you are running any high amp load appliances. The 160 amp is known to be used on emergency vehicles that are at a standstill and still running lots of 12v power thru said appliances.

Is a bigger amp alternator better?

That is, your alternator will only supply the amount of amperage a particular component demands—and no more. So high-output alternators will not harm your components or charging system, no matter how high you go with the amps.

How many amp alternator do I need?

The amp rating of the alternator is matched to the vehicle's electrical system. Older vehicles with fewer accessories may only need a 70- or 80-amp alternator, while a newer vehicle with lots of electronics and accessories may need a 120- to 160-amp alternator.

How big of an alternator do I need for 2000 watts?

For example, if you installed a 2,000-watt amp, assuming a nominal voltage of 13.5V, you'd add roughly 150 amps of demand to the electrical system.

How many amps is considered a normal alternator output?

The output of the alternator ranges from 40 Amp up to 120 Amp. For high-amp alternator, it can generate up to 300 Amp. Commercialized alternator is usually 12 V. For some systems, especially for high power system, the alternator varies from 24 V up to 48 V.

How to test an alternator the right way!

What is the advantage of a higher amp alternator?

Better Battery Life

That's because an oversized alternator produces more output at lower speeds, including idle. That increased output prevents the battery from having to help supply the load—and this keeps it at a more ideal state of charge. The battery cycles less, which translates into better battery life.

How many amps should a 12 volt alternator put out?

The size of an alternator will most likely increase the set amperage, too. High output alternators (often found on larger vehicles) can use between 200 to 350 amps. Smaller cars by comparison, such as a Ford Mustang, will only use about 100 amps with batteries that run at about 12 volts.

Is 250 amp alternator enough?

A 250 or 300 ampere aftermarket high output alternator should provide enough power for all your car's systems and your high-powered stereo too.

What size alternator do I need for 3000 watts?

3000 watt / 12V is equal to 250A. A 250A alternator is needed to keep up with it. Since your engine would have to work just as hard as any portable 3KW generator to keep up with the amplifier, you would need a large fuel tank.

How many watts can a 80 amp alternator handle?

it depends on what size your alternator is. considering its a small car probably around 80amps. thats good enough for around 500 watts rms.

Will a bigger alternator hurt my car?

It will not try to draw any more than necessary. If you have an alternator capable of 80 amps or 1000 amps the ECU will still only need and draw it's required current. Any electrical component in the vehicle will only draw the current required to operate.

Can you overload an alternator?

An alternator can be damaged by improperly jumping a car (such as having the wires crossed), which can overload and fry circuits. Also, if the connection from the alternator to the battery is severed while the engine is running, the alternator can become overloaded and damaged.

What is the highest amp alternator?

The highest 12 volt produced by Prestolite Leece-Neville is the J-180 mount 4890JB and Pad Mount 4962PA both of which put out 320 amps. When it comes to 24 volt alternators there is one manufacturers that really stands out – C.E. Niehoff has their 500 Amp C-803D.

What size alternator do I need for 1000 watt amp?

If you've read this far and are starting to rethink 150's, hair tricks, and broken windshields, you can still enjoy considerable bass with a single high output alternator in your car or truck. As a general rule, you need about 100 amps of current for every 1000 watts of power generated.

How do I choose the right alternator?

Your alternator should be capable of delivering rated output equal to the maximum acceptance rate of your house battery bank. In other words, the alternator's rating should be equal to 25 percent (lead acid) 30 percent (gel) or 45 percent (AGM) of your total battery capacity.

Is a 220 amp alternator good?

With some extra work there are ways to get decent charge going, but even then the 220A alternator is probably enough for most scenarios if there are no other non-vehicle loads.

Will a 2000 watt amp drain battery?

Answer provided by

Usually, a 2,000-watt car amp will draw about 159 amps. However, this assumes that your car battery is fully charged and operating at 12.6 volts.

How many amps do I need for a 3000 watt system?

For example, 3000 Watt equals to: 25 Amps, if you use 120 V.

How many volts should a 140 amp alternator put out?

Even with a high-performance alternator with a maximum output of 140 amps, like a Powermaster CS130 alternator we'll use for this example, it's output will barely cover the amperage necessary at idle to maintain a minimum 13.5 volts to all the electrical accessories.

How many amps does alternator make at idle?

Most late model alternators produce 120 to 155 amps or more. Current output increases with engine speed, from around 20 to 50 amps at idle up to the unit's maximum output at 2,500 RPM or higher (refer to a service manual for the exact charging output specifications for your vehicle).

What does a big 3 upgrade do?

A big 3 upgrade will allow more current flow to all of your stereo components, improving your electrical system by ensuring more consistent voltage. This upgrade entails replacing the three main cables in your electrical system with 4 gauge or 1/0 wires.

Is 14.7 volts too high?

14.8 would start to be a worry (there might be liquid or corrosion on the battery) and 15 volts would be a real concern, but 14.6 is fine. Less than 14.3 would be a "weak" alternator or regulator. Much less than 14.2 at a fast idle is bad wiring, bad alternator or regulator, or a bad connection or fuse link.

What is a normal alternator voltage?

A good alternator should maintain battery voltage between 13.9 and 14.8 volts (14.2 is optimum). Even worst-case, with all accessories turned on, there should be at least 13 volts at the battery.

What should a 12 volt alternator put out?

A good alternator should put out between **13.5-14.5 volts. Stress test the alternator - Place a load on the alternator by turning on the headlights, the radio and the air conditioning. The voltage should remain high with these circuits on.