Car Stereos: car audio, power short, dodge ram 1500, amp alternator

Question
QUESTION: i have a dodge ram 1500 yr 2005, recently i have had three polk mm1240's installed i have a ZX1000.1 amp for the subs and a ZX200 amp for the infinity kappa door speakers and tweeters. also i have a pioneer head unit. my problem seems to be lack of power from the alternator vbecause i find that if i turn up the volume one of the amps will shut off or go into protection mode most of the time it is the door speakers but sometimes the bass shuts off as well, i believe that i have a 136 amp alternator stock with the truck do i need a bigger one or what else can i do. oh and sorry i recently bought a optima yellow top battery and it helped a little but they still turn off.

ANSWER: Blake, you could be on the right track.  There are many different causes of that situation.  Are the amps properly ventilated?  Are the power and ground wires large enough?  Do the lights dim when the bass hits hard?  As for alternators, the latter is the clue.  If your lights dim on big bass hits, then the alternator is not keeping up.  It wont even keep up with other upgrades.  If the lights do not dim, the wires may not be large enough and can not carry the amount of power needed for the larger draws.  If the wires are large enough, you may be able to add a capacitor to supply the added voltage when needed and keep the amps from shutting down.  I would suggest a capacitor (at least 1 farad) to start. If you still have amps shutting down, then start looking for a larger alternator.  Hope this helps, Scott

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QUESTION: Hey, I think your right I need a new alternator. The lights do dim and I already have a big capacitor. The wire is 0 Gage I think or 2 I'm not sure but it's Memphis wire and it's good and I have a 180 fuse the amps are good amps and there vented well I don't believe that they get too hot. My problem now seems to be that the only option is a $400-&600 alternator my truck already has a larger than normal alt it's 136 stock that comes on the truck but only a custom alt will work no other company makes a bigger one that I know of. "do u"? And again I spent $2500 on the system I was just hopeing for a cheaper solution than a custom alt I don't have any more money to dump into this. Lol but thank you and if u have another solution please let me know if not I'll need to go with the alt. There was no need to get that big of a system and have it not play at it's full potential. I appreicate your help

Answer
I would have to agree with that.  There is a reason why we buy the high power equipment, and that is to crank it up.  I have seen HO alternators for as low as $250 for 200 amp alternator.  First, I would go to your local alternator repair shop and see if they can build one up for you.  They may be even cheaper than $200.  Good Luck, Scott