My stock alternator is rated at 90 Amps. I currently have 3 amps. Each has a max current draw of 120, 120 and 45. My gains are almost all the way down, which is good, but should I be using a stronger aftermarket Alternator? If so, which one do you all recommend? Also running 2 Optima Bluetops.

I use a 140amp marine alt from dbelectrical.com, and it rocks! <BR> <BR>Check out their site, or give them a call and let them know what you need - they can set you up with the proper alt for your system. But the experience that I had with them has been extremely positive.

dbelectrical is one of the best you can buy for price and customer support. They have an awesome warranty.

How do you know your amps are drawing that much power? 120 amps is a lot, an if you dont have your gains up, than I dont think your drawing that much. What amps are they. The 90 amp should be fine with your system.

sorry to butt in, but it's on topic. I'm about to put in a ARC FD4150 and an FD4100....pushing some Pro80's, interior speakers and an ARC 12" sub. Will the 100amp alternator in my 05 SAN suffice? I'm also going to be running the Kinetik HC1800 Power cell as my second battery...using a perko switch...

i can find the spreadsheet i've been looking for all day. calc's a system's current draw and reserve capacity of battery banks. someone posted it a while back, but i can't find it! I know I saved it too! <BR> <BR>search for it.

Jason, <BR> <BR>I didn't say I was using that much, if you read my post again, it says that is the MAX draw.

That should be fine Mark., You will know if it is not, your amps will cut out.

^not really. Amps will cut out when the batteries are dead AND the alternator isn't producing enough.

maybe that's where the Kinetik power cells will save me?

Mark, the kinetic batteries aer no better than any other AGM battery. They provide no benefit in a baot over any other AGM. They meet the ISAAC car competition standards for size that's why they are popular in that circuit. If you want high reserve capacity go with golf cart or forklift batteries. AGM do provide slighty better discharge rates but nothing that justifies the cost of the kinetic.

thanks for the info...I've heard somebody mention that before...I'll bring that up with my installer tomorrow...see how he weighs in on it...

Who's doing your install in Austin? Unless your personal friends with your installer.....the markup on the kinetic battteries is pretty high. Any installer who says " We'll put a couple blue tops in and you'll be able to run for a while" probably has not idea what he's talking about when it comes to batteries and how they are used in a boat. Especially in regards to reserve capacity.

Hydrotunes...install starts tomorrow...they have an excellent reputation here in ATX. They recommended that I don't go with Optima Blue tops... <BR> <BR>I'll post up tomorrow with their opinion....

In general you should be OK, but close. Have them install a digital voltage meter. If it drops below 12V turn the volume down. If it happens often get a bigger alternator.

If I choose to go with 2 or 4 6volt golf cart batteries, should I try to upgrade my alternator to charge them all or should I run them independent and charge manually after each use? <BR> <BR>Also, how can I figure out my amp draw? I have a JL 1000/1, 500/1, 450/4, and a 300/4. <BR> <BR>Thanks for the help.