alternator or battery

[99 Off-Road Ranger]

i just got two 12 inch subs and 1200 watt amp and when it gets loud the battery gauge drops with every hit i still have the stock 99 alternator i was wondering if i need to find a performance alternator or just should see if i could find a new battery

 

[91redneckranger]

Put a capacitor (sp?) in line between your power source and your amp. That should clear it up....

My buddy had the same problem with his 2 12s w/1400 watt amp. 5 Farad cap was the answer.

He even juiced up the power with another 1400 watt amp and put in an 18" square Solo X (i think) and no light dimming or voltage drop....all on stock battery and alternator.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Sounds like your battery. but a new alternator would help the amp from draining the battery and killing it. I would look into both. like a 100-120 amp alternator and a deepcycle car battery.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

caps are band-aids. high output alternator (a 120amp from an exploder bolts in) and a high quality (optima) battery.

 

[almostclueless]

Isnt the alternator on such late RBVs higher than 120W?

 

[Psychopete]

If you get a higher output alternator, check into the big 3 upgrade. What gauge of wire are you running to the amp?

Pete

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

Isnt the alternator on such late RBVs higher than 120W?

95W

 

[AllanD]

That's 95A, not "W"

And not all explorers got the 130amp alternator.

The two look similar but if you see them side by side you'll see the difference.

I have a 130A on my 4.0, not that I really have anything to run off of it...

AD

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

That's 95A, not "W"

i thought that looked funny while i was posting it

brain fart

 

[Will]

95W? That's about 7amps at 13.8V nominal.

Does every hit mean the bass thumps are moving the gauge?

Don't worry about it. It's not draining the battery. It's like thumping the switch on an electric seat--it's a large, instant load. If the soud quality is effected by it, go with the capacitors. Your charging system is capable keeping the battery charged though.

 

[metalmacguyver]

if you still really want to put something in check out these.

http://www.mralternator.com/alternators/ford.html

 

[michowski]

best thing to do is just add a second battery and run the amp off the 2nd battery. Provides more then enough power to really make your subs hit hard but at the same time wont drain down really fast compared to an cap. Ive been watching my friend mess around with his system and he has all top of the line everything, 2000w amp, the works. All running off his stock battery and now i believe he is on his 4th cap. I mean really if your gonna spend a lot of money to get a good cap, why not just add a 2nd battery and a bigger alternator down the line? In the long run its gonna end up being cheaper. Thats what im gonna do in spring, all accessories off 2nd battery (ps2, 360, amps, ect) and just lights, radio, and normal truck equipment off the main.