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malkamus · 07-25-2007, 02:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by durwood

First he has already upgraded his alternator, second no way does he need a bigger alternator-just to run his headunit, come on now. If there is no signal going to his sub amp then it's not drawing ANY current other than to idle so maybe a amp or 2.

Secondly, the regulator on the alternator is too slow at times to deliver more current instantly, therefore the voltage starts to drop to the voltage level of the battery, which provides reserve current. SO a battery does regulate essentially.

Anyway, the op has done a pretty good job of trouble shooting IMO, but I would like him to answer the questions I asked earlier, before he goes and starts spending more money on what could be something really simple.

The regulator is not designed to deliver any more power than the 13.3 to 14.1 it is designed to do. Which does not matter anyway as the amps is what is needed here. If his car is pulling more amps than the alternator is pushing out regardless if he upgraded already, he needs a bigger alt. If he has multiple or high draw amp(s) his carputer, whatever other factory options, plus AC and anything else he added aftermarket he may well not had upgraded to a big enough alt. Besides if he went with a larger factory unit he probably only added 10 to 20 amps.

07-25-2007, 02:33 PM	#28
malkamus Low Bitrate Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 90	Quote: Originally Posted by durwood First he has already upgraded his alternator, second no way does he need a bigger alternator-just to run his headunit, come on now. If there is no signal going to his sub amp then it's not drawing ANY current other than to idle so maybe a amp or 2. Secondly, the regulator on the alternator is too slow at times to deliver more current instantly, therefore the voltage starts to drop to the voltage level of the battery, which provides reserve current. SO a battery does regulate essentially. Anyway, the op has done a pretty good job of trouble shooting IMO, but I would like him to answer the questions I asked earlier, before he goes and starts spending more money on what could be something really simple. The regulator is not designed to deliver any more power than the 13.3 to 14.1 it is designed to do. Which does not matter anyway as the amps is what is needed here. If his car is pulling more amps than the alternator is pushing out regardless if he upgraded already, he needs a bigger alt. If he has multiple or high draw amp(s) his carputer, whatever other factory options, plus AC and anything else he added aftermarket he may well not had upgraded to a big enough alt. Besides if he went with a larger factory unit he probably only added 10 to 20 amps.