Audio Systems: car amp install, 2006 dodge caravan, kicker amp

Question
QUESTION: i have a 2006 dodge caravan recently purchased a 2500 watt rms kicker amp and have had no luck on what i need to upgrade in my van.spoke to kicker tech and get different answer every time i was told that a 150 amp alternator upgrade is all i need but other tech told me i need 300 amp alternator plus 2 additional batteries please advise
thanks

ANSWER: This is a class D fet amp and surely can draw lots of power. If you have it connected for the full 2500w (a one ohm load impedance) it will draw lots of current from the car system.

The actual upgrade of your battery and alternator is somewhat subjective.  Why?  Because it depends much on the speakers you are connecting to the amp and the type of music you are listening to and the longevity of your playing.

To give you the maximum, total power availability in the total conditions:  Full load on the amp, pumping heavy bass all the time and for long periods of time you will need the following:

A:  2500W amp running heavy bass music will be drawing, in actuality, about 3db down from the maximum signal - this due to the nature of music signals.  So, the amplifier draw off the car system will likely be about 1200W under these conditions.

B: 1200watts with a 12v system means the current draw is 100A.  (Power is voltage times current; or 12v times 100amps = 1200watts).

C:  So, you will need an alternator and battery system that will support a draw of 100 amps.  

D:  You will need 2 or 4 gauge wires from the battery terminals through to the amplifier.  You will need an alternator output of 150 amp alternator - to leave enough to supply other parts of the car and a battery system that will support this same level of constant current.  You will have to consult the specs on the battery you choose.  I am not a fan of batteries in parallel because of the seesaw loading effect between them.   Adding a really big power cap may be helpful as well, but they are costly so you will have to decide if the bang for the buck is a pay off in that regard.

Hope this helps.

Cleggsan

PS:  In the case you are a light listener, keeping the sound level at low levels and listening for short periods of time without lots of thumping bass the existing system may be just fine.  You might just try it out before you do the upgrades; run it for a few days and decide what you think.  If the battery gets discharged too quickly and the lights go dim then you know you need upgrade immediately.




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for the info i have another question i believe my stock alternator is  136 amp  if i run the amp with out the upgrades is there a chance i can blow it up? i do like your suggestion trying first before i do upgrades also when you say i need 150 amp alternater is that total output or do i  need an additinal 150 on top of my factory 136 amp

Answer
No, total amp output of one alternator of 150 amps should be adequate.

The current alternator may be sufficient if you are not running your system for long periods of time with heavy, loud, bass dominant audio.

You will not blow up anything, but over time with heavy use you might lose the battery or wipe out the diodes in the alternator.

I would start by adding a high output, heavy duty battery and see how it goes.


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