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Do I need a higher amp rated alternator?

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Old May 5, 2008 | 03:24 AM
  #1  
94gtbuilder's Avatar
94gtbuilder
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Default Do I need a higher amp rated alternator?

I have a modest stereo in my 94 GT, two 12' RF stage 1 punch's, and two infinity 6x9's. I have two amps and everything is powered to its rms rating. When I'm crusing, everything is generally fine, but at stop lights, and other momentary stops, my voltage gauge makes a serious jump to the left (lower voltage). My car doesn't stall or anything, but it probably would if i didnt pump the acellerator a lil. It's just really annoying having to turn down the volume and having to constantly watch my voltage gauge everytime i stop, takes away from the enjoyment ya know. Soo, my question is, if I upgrade to a 200 amp alternator, will it get rid of the problem. I don't really have much of a system tho, and i'm pretty positive the stock alternator is rated at 130 amps, which I thought would be suffient. Could it be something else perhaps? I wanted to do some upgrades to my stereo like some component speakers, and maybe some beefier subs, soo I figured 200 would work for that too, along with a dual cycle battery (read up on it) and a cap (no idea). Admist all the unnessacary stuff I added would a better alternator fix my current problem? haha "current" problem, good one lol. sorry....
Old May 5, 2008 | 04:00 AM
  #2  
JTE_502's Avatar
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Default RE: Do I need a higher amp rated alternator?

I can tell you one thing that you are about to be told many times...forget about getting a cap, they are useless paper weights. And the first thing you should upgrade should be the big three wires.
Old May 5, 2008 | 06:40 AM
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Default RE: Do I need a higher amp rated alternator?

Nah........Big 3 upgrade is in your future ...Cap's are usless junk........
I run 1800 watts in my silverado with stock ALT and just a big 3 upgrade,I get very little voltage drop now
PLUS the volt gauge now reads about .5 volts higher (14.9)
Old May 5, 2008 | 09:02 AM
  #4  
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Default RE: Do I need a higher amp rated alternator?

Even if you get your current alternator beefed up by a local alternator shop when you stop at the lights it will still drop quite a bit your best bet is to get a Stinger or Ohio Generator alternator, they r expensive but well worth it.
Old May 5, 2008 | 09:04 AM
  #5  
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Default RE: Do I need a higher amp rated alternator?

Oh ya one more thing DONT GET A CAP! Order goes like this ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, CAP
Old May 5, 2008 | 09:34 AM
  #6  
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Default RE: Do I need a higher amp rated alternator?

big 3 and have a good day.

no cap no need for larger alt no need for deep cycles u just need better connections. problem solved
Old May 5, 2008 | 09:48 AM
  #7  
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Default RE: Do I need a higher amp rated alternator?

are you running under drive pullies? You can bump your idle up just a hair to correct this problem.
Old May 5, 2008 | 11:45 AM
  #8  
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Default RE: Do I need a higher amp rated alternator?

big 3 and check all connections. Never a cap. you should have no problem with that system on a stock alt.

What size is your power wire?
Old May 5, 2008 | 01:14 PM
  #9  
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Default RE: Do I need a higher amp rated alternator?

What are the big 3?
Old May 5, 2008 | 01:47 PM
  #10  
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Default RE: Do I need a higher amp rated alternator?

What are these Big 3?


1. The (+) Altenator to the Battery

2. The Battery (-) to the Chasis

3. The Engine (-) to the Chasis



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