I need a little more juice...

Welp I noticed this evening that I seem to have enuff power. The alternator seem and looks new I am thinking about taking her out and getting the battery and alternator tested.

I checked at work and the biggest alternator is a 140 amp. I need to go BIG! I am going to big a few subs in the future and do the big 3.

So I guess question is whats is the biggest amp i can use and biggest battery?

You can get your alternator rewound to put out more than 140 amps. Most auto parts stores also sell 200 and 250 amp kits.

In fact, if you're serious, I know a guy who is looking for a stock 140 amp and I believe he has a 250 sitting in his garage taking up space. I can inquire tomorrow when I see him.

As for "going big", how big is "big"?

serious systems run dual alternators,.simple to do with astro van accessory bracket IF you are willing to delete the a/c,.look around the truck forums,.



Nick

Stingroo wrote:

In fact, if you're serious, I know a guy who is looking for a stock 140 amp and I believe he has a 250 sitting in his garage taking up space. I can inquire tomorrow when I see him.

As for "going big", how big is "big"?

Well I wanna go BIG but not too too big, I might do the two 8' subs in the spare tire and / or the the 10" in the rear hatch...

See what your buddy says sting on what he would like to do...

I feel like such a n00b but a 250 alternator wont fudge nothing up right? I mean I have ran a dual battery setup in my other car with my kicker comps and 2000 watt amp and didnt blow nothing up lol j/p. I just dont want to chance messin sumthing up in the wagon....

I run a 600 watt rms bass amp with a 100 watt rms, four channel amp for the non-bass frequencies. I have had this system for almost ten years, and I have 'tested' it's wattage and durability on numerous occasions (because I am hard-of-hearing) when I am coming home from church, frightening nearby drivers. The bass amp is fused with a commercial 30 amp slow blow fuse, and the other amp is fused at 20 amps slow blow. I have NEVER had an issue with with dimming lights or a dead battery. As yet, I have never blown a fuse. I went with the slow-blows because the Ford Motor Company was generous with their fuses and GOOD fuse holders and terminals. Your stock alternator has plenty of oomph. I use a stock sized Die-Hard, but if you want to go anal, you can find the highest 'reserve capacity' RV/Marine battery that will fit in the battery case. The important thing is to make sure your wiring is up to snuff. I mean the battery to ground (chassis AND body), battery positive to alternator AND underhood fuse box, and YOUR wiring to and from your amps. If you do it right, I can't imagine that you will have any issues.

Maybe it is a battery I am definitely gonna get it check out for sure before I buy new...

Stingroo! Whats up with that alternator???

And if indeed it is a battery I will prolly get one from work now I carry Exide Batterys, would there be a different make and or model that would have a bigger and better battery for our wagons?

Talked to alt guy, he needed the 140 to use for now because his 250 has a bearing going bad, but he does plan on getting it rebuilt.


I tried, man.


Get your battery and alt tested. It's likely one of those. I personally would do the big 3 before buying a bigger alt or battery as a precaution. Then see where you're at.

Thanks man...

I was going to get 0 gauge wire but even with my discount its like 160 bucks for a spool of it, thing that also stinks is that have never seen 0 gauge terminal connectors...

eBay is your friend for terminals.

And you don't need a whole spool of wire. Here you go:

https://weldingsupply.securesites.net/cgi-bin/einstein.pl?Next::1:UNDEF:OR:terms::PA#A2

It's like $3 a foot for red and black.

You don't need killer-sized wire. You DO need excellent connectors and connections.

If you plan on running the system while parked, like picnics, cruise-ins, you might consider a two battery system. While parked you would run off the 2nd battery so you will still be able to turn the engine over later.

Dave

lakeffect wrote:

If you plan on running the system while parked, like picnics, cruise-ins, you might consider a two battery system. While parked you would run off the 2nd battery so you will still be able to turn the engine over later.

Dave

3rd seat footwell,.

Yeah, that might work!

Should help wintertime traction, too!

This sure is a biggin lol...

Holy hell that thing is crazy.

Well, that is the kind of thing you'd need to do a few hours of boogeying off the battery only.