Thanks much.
Does size matter ?
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Av8r1
- Skipshooter
- Posts: 285
- Joined: August 15th, 2006, 9:57 pm
- Real Name: Bill
- Radio: Kenwood TS-530s
- Contact:
Does size matter ?
How large of a mobile amp can you run with out beefing the alternator?
Thanks much.
Thanks much.
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BigBopper
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SmallTruckBigRadio
Around 600 watts, depending on the alternator. The first step is to find out the size of your alternator.
One of the DaveMades, I think it's the M400, 1X4, is the biggest they recommend for a stock alternator. The DaveMades seem to have 10-20% better performance but seem to cost above 20% more.
Be careful of the amp manufacturers wattage claims at 15 or 20 volts. A stock system only runs 13.8 V DC with the engine running.
Davemade M400 1) 2290 transistor driving 4) 2879 transistors claims
(@15 Volts) deadkey of 400W swing 800W
(@20Volts) deadkey - 800W swing to 1.6KW
I would expect that your stock alternator will handle this one, but
I figure that the 13.8 Volts that your stock alternator is pushing, which is 8% less than the 15 Volt claim, will give you 8% less wattage.
so, M400 might give you a deadkey around 350 watts and swing to ~700 watts depending what the deadkey and swing of your radio is.
It is important that you match the amp to the radio. A radio that deadkeys or swings too high for an amps rating will burn it, and a radio with too low output will not drive it to its capability.
One of the DaveMades, I think it's the M400, 1X4, is the biggest they recommend for a stock alternator. The DaveMades seem to have 10-20% better performance but seem to cost above 20% more.
Be careful of the amp manufacturers wattage claims at 15 or 20 volts. A stock system only runs 13.8 V DC with the engine running.
Davemade M400 1) 2290 transistor driving 4) 2879 transistors claims
(@15 Volts) deadkey of 400W swing 800W
(@20Volts) deadkey - 800W swing to 1.6KW
I would expect that your stock alternator will handle this one, but
I figure that the 13.8 Volts that your stock alternator is pushing, which is 8% less than the 15 Volt claim, will give you 8% less wattage.
so, M400 might give you a deadkey around 350 watts and swing to ~700 watts depending what the deadkey and swing of your radio is.
It is important that you match the amp to the radio. A radio that deadkeys or swings too high for an amps rating will burn it, and a radio with too low output will not drive it to its capability.
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SmallTruckBigRadio
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Rex_foxhound
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Sly Dog
Re: Does size matter ?
You ask that kind of question without giving any info about the vehicle...Av8r1 wrote:How large of a mobile amp can you run with out beefing the alternator?
Thanks much.
