alternator problem
08-15-2007, 02:36 AM
#1
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 35
alternator problem
I've got a 99 Hona Accord LX with a stock 80amp alternator and it just isnt cutting it. I only have my speaker amp in my car right now and, with the small sub i hooked up to it, even it is cutting out at high volumes when the car is running. Needless to say i need a new high output alternator as I'm about to put my 2000+w subwoofer amp back in. I've searched high and low for a 200+ amp alternator for my car and havent been able to find anything. The best i've found is a 170amp custom order alternator for $650USD+shipping!!! On ebay, a 200amp alternator for the V6 version of my car is $200. I would love to purchase this but am afraid it wont fit on my 2.3L inline-4 engine. I have seen 165amp alternators for my 2.3L but am afraid they wont be strong enough for my system. I have heard of dual alternator setups but have never seen one in action. Any thoughts on what to do in this situation?
the speaker amp is a 4/3/2 channel amp - alpine mrp-f320
the deck/amp/everything is definately connected properly
i've been up and down the lines a hundred times and everything is connected as it should be - ive done this more than a few times before
the sub amp is an earthquake phd-3 rated at 3000wrms@0.6ohms, 2800wrms@1ohm, ~1900wrms@2ohms
ground is good - 0-0 guage cable to a metal goundpoint on the chassis
my battery is an optima red top rated at 880 CCA - i do want to get another battery to wire in parrallel with this one but i know that isnt the cause of my current problem
i've never fidled around with or known much about alternators until just recently and am hearing more and more about dual alternator setups which is why i posed the question
ive been looking around to see if the V6 alternator will work on my car and havent been able to find much info which is leading me to believe that it wont
buy it and try it anyways?
to add to the above info:
when the engine is off, it never cuts out
Also, the rear speakers are powered by my head unit and they do not cut out
only cuts out on big bass hits at high volumes when engine is running
will not cut out at lower volumes
because of all of this i have decided it must be the alternator
am i missing something?
the speaker amp is a 4/3/2 channel amp - alpine mrp-f320
the deck/amp/everything is definately connected properly
i've been up and down the lines a hundred times and everything is connected as it should be - ive done this more than a few times before
the sub amp is an earthquake phd-3 rated at 3000wrms@0.6ohms, 2800wrms@1ohm, ~1900wrms@2ohms
ground is good - 0-0 guage cable to a metal goundpoint on the chassis
my battery is an optima red top rated at 880 CCA - i do want to get another battery to wire in parrallel with this one but i know that isnt the cause of my current problem
i've never fidled around with or known much about alternators until just recently and am hearing more and more about dual alternator setups which is why i posed the question
ive been looking around to see if the V6 alternator will work on my car and havent been able to find much info which is leading me to believe that it wont
buy it and try it anyways?
to add to the above info:
when the engine is off, it never cuts out
Also, the rear speakers are powered by my head unit and they do not cut out
only cuts out on big bass hits at high volumes when engine is running
will not cut out at lower volumes
because of all of this i have decided it must be the alternator
am i missing something?
08-15-2007, 11:23 AM
#2
First, I'd ask myself if the car is really worth spending all that money on and how long your going to keep it.
A 1999 is already 8 years old. Kids seem to think cars last forever, then wonder why maintenance and repair costs use up all available funds.
When my last car was 8 years old i dumped it for 1000.00, glad to get rid of it. My wifes car is a 99 and we're looking for something about half that old, just to get by for the next few years.
IMHO, If you want to build a big high power system, get a bigger car. My V8 chevy came with a 140 amp alt. and if i wanted a bigger alt they're easy to replace. Lots of room for subs and speaks, lots of room if i wanted another battery.
Just a suggestion. Hope i didn't step on too many toes....
A 1999 is already 8 years old. Kids seem to think cars last forever, then wonder why maintenance and repair costs use up all available funds.
When my last car was 8 years old i dumped it for 1000.00, glad to get rid of it. My wifes car is a 99 and we're looking for something about half that old, just to get by for the next few years.
IMHO, If you want to build a big high power system, get a bigger car. My V8 chevy came with a 140 amp alt. and if i wanted a bigger alt they're easy to replace. Lots of room for subs and speaks, lots of room if i wanted another battery.
Just a suggestion. Hope i didn't step on too many toes....
08-15-2007, 11:48 AM
#3
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 478
If your amp is cutting out with the vehicle running and it is not cutting out with the vehicle off, it does not make sense that it is your alternators fault.
You're alternator will produce more power than your vehicle uses so you should have more amperage and a higher voltage to your amplifier while the vehicle is running.
I don't know what would cause this situation. Is something possible interfering with your remote wire while the vehicle is running?
I'm clueless as to what the issue is, but it doesn't sound like an alternator to me.
You're alternator will produce more power than your vehicle uses so you should have more amperage and a higher voltage to your amplifier while the vehicle is running.
I don't know what would cause this situation. Is something possible interfering with your remote wire while the vehicle is running?
I'm clueless as to what the issue is, but it doesn't sound like an alternator to me.
08-15-2007, 12:26 PM
#4
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 60
I agree with smoke on this one. This doesnt sound like an alt problem.
Mind you, you still may want to do that upgrade if you are throwing in a 2000w amp. But for purposes of your existing problem with the cutting out, I dont think its an alt problem either.
Mind you, you still may want to do that upgrade if you are throwing in a 2000w amp. But for purposes of your existing problem with the cutting out, I dont think its an alt problem either.
08-16-2007, 12:52 AM
#5
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 35
alright
so any idea on where to start?
also could this not be a problem of my alternator not charging the battery fast enough between bass hits?
to tom:
the car only has 40k on it and is in immaculate condition
i really like it and the way it drives plus there is tones of room in the trunk and more than enough for another battery or bigger alternator
so any idea on where to start?
also could this not be a problem of my alternator not charging the battery fast enough between bass hits?
to tom:
the car only has 40k on it and is in immaculate condition
i really like it and the way it drives plus there is tones of room in the trunk and more than enough for another battery or bigger alternator
Last edited by falcon1; 08-16-2007 at 01:01 AM.
08-16-2007, 01:38 AM
#6
test the alt see what is is giveing out ?
if your alt is on its way out and the car is using more then a bad alt can give it will use the battrey but if the speakers are useing alot of power then it will cut out
so test the battery and the alt !
if i'm looking hay why not start there ?
if your alt is on its way out and the car is using more then a bad alt can give it will use the battrey but if the speakers are useing alot of power then it will cut out
so test the battery and the alt !
if i'm looking hay why not start there ?
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