Whether you’re a dedicated car audio enthusiast with loud subwoofers or just someone who savors the charm of crystal-clear sound on your rides using amplifiers with several thousand watts, the importance of selecting the right alternator for your car audio system can’t be overstated.
This underappreciated powerhouse not only propels your vehicle’s electrical functionalities, from lighting to audio but also plays a crucial part in optimizing the performance of your sound system.
With a high-demand audio system and varying alternator models to consider, which alternator should you choose for the car? Let’s find out.
It’s recommended around 75 amps of alternator capacity for every 1,000 watts of amplifier power in the car audio system. This ratio ensures the alternator can manage the increased demand and continue to charge the vehicle’s battery effectively. For example, if a car currently has a 120 amp alternator and needs to support an additional 1,000-watt audio system, an upgraded alternator should have approximately 200 amps for optimal performance.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| The power requirements of your car audio system dictate the type of alternator you need. |
| The compatibility of the alternator with your car’s electrical system is critical. |
| Refurbished or used alternators can be cost-effective, but they come with potential risks. |
| Top alternator brands for car audio include Mechman, DC Power Engineering, and Excessive Amperage. |
| Installation costs of high-output alternators can range from $100 to $400, depending on various factors. |
Without a properly functioning alternator, the audio system will not work correctly, and the battery will suffer. For more details, check out the detailed guide about how an alternator powers a car audio system.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Alternator for Car Audio
Selecting the right alternator for your car audio system can be a challenging task, but it doesn’t have to be.
There are several factors you need to consider, and understanding each one will make the process a lot easier.
Understanding Your Car’s Electrical System
The electrical system of your car is like its nervous system—it connects everything, delivering power where it’s needed. To select the right alternator, you need to understand how this system works.
First, you need to know your car’s voltage and current requirements. These values are usually stated in the car’s manual. If you’ve modified your vehicle’s electrical system (such as adding a high-performance stereo or additional lighting), your requirements may have changed.
When choosing an alternator, you need to consider its output at idle as well as at high RPMs.
An alternator that delivers a high current at high RPMs but fails to deliver at idle can cause a myriad of issues. For example, your lights could dim, or your audio system could flicker or cut out when idling.
The Power Requirement of Your Car Audio System
To meet the power requirements of your car audio system, you need to account for the number of devices in the system and the power they draw.
For instance, high-end audio systems with multiple amplifiers, subwoofers, and speakers often demand much more power than a simple stereo system. An amp kit can help manage these power needs efficiently.
Choosing the right alternator to meet these power needs is crucial to prevent straining your car’s electrical system and potentially damaging your audio components. You don’t want your favorite tunes interrupted by audio dropouts or worse, damaged audio equipment.
Stock Alternator vs. High Output Alternator for Car Audio
Stock alternators are designed to meet the power needs of your car as it comes from the factory.
However, if you’ve upgraded your car audio system or added other power-hungry accessories, a stock alternator might struggle to meet the increased demand.
That’s where a high-output alternator comes in. High-output alternators can produce more current, making them a preferred choice for powerful car audio systems.
They’re designed to handle larger amp loads without affecting the performance of other electrical components in your car.
But keep in mind that while high-output alternators provide more power, they also generate more heat and may require upgraded wiring to handle the increased current.
Compatibility with Your Car’s Electrical System
Regardless of how powerful an alternator is, it won’t do you much good if it’s not compatible with your vehicle. For instance, the pulley systems can vary between different brands of vehicles—what works for a Chevy might not work for a Ford.
When choosing an alternator, ensure it fits properly, has the correct plug configuration, and uses a compatible pulley system.
Misaligned or incompatible components can lead to premature wear and tear or even failure of the alternator.
Refurbished or Used Alternators
While choosing a brand-new alternator may seem like the safest bet, sometimes the budget may not allow for it. In such cases, refurbished or used alternators can be a cost-effective alternative.
Refurbished alternators are usually tested and repaired by professionals, making them more reliable than used alternatives. However, you should be cautious when considering a used alternator. They might have hidden issues and wear that could lead to premature failure.
Benefits of Using a High Output Alternator for Car Audio
The decision to upgrade your car’s alternator isn’t always an easy one. There’s the cost, the installation process, and the selection process to consider.
However, if you’re serious about your car audio, choosing a high-output alternator can yield several substantial benefits.
Enhanced Audio Performance
Remember the first time you upgraded your home audio system, and you could suddenly hear every beat, every note, and every nuance in your favorite song?
That’s the kind of improvement we’re talking about when it comes to enhancing your car audio performance with a high-output alternator.
The high-output alternator provides a consistent and robust power supply, ensuring that your audio system performs at its best at all times.
It can handle the power-hungry demands of advanced audio components, ensuring that they operate optimally without drawing power away from other essential vehicle systems. That means no more dimming lights or stuttering performance when you’re cruising along with your favorite tunes cranked up.
For those of you who, like me, appreciate the finer details in music, this can mean the difference between merely listening to a song and truly experiencing it.
With the right high-output alternator, your car audio system can deliver crisp, clear sound, even at high volumes or when operating multiple components simultaneously.
Increased Power Supply
If you’ve ever tried running a high-end audio system with a stock alternator, you may have noticed a few issues.
The lights might dim, the performance of other electrical components might suffer, or your audio system may not perform as expected when multiple components are running. This is due to the limited power supply from the stock alternator.
Upgrading to a high-output alternator ensures that all these components receive the power they need to function optimally.
Best Brands of Alternators for Car Audio
Selecting the right alternator for your car audio system involves more than just understanding your vehicle’s electrical needs—you also need to consider the brand.
The brand of your alternator can have a significant impact on the performance, reliability, and longevity of your audio system. But with so many brands on the market, how do you choose the right one?
Here’s a rundown of some of the most reliable and top-performing alternator brands for car audio systems.
Mechman Alternators
Mechman is a renowned brand in the car audio world, known for their high-quality high-output alternators.
They offer a wide range of options to suit various vehicle makes and models, and their alternators are highly respected for their superior performance and durability.
DC Power Engineering
Specializing in high-output alternators, DC Power Engineering is a go-to brand for many car audio enthusiasts.
Their alternators are known to deliver a steady and reliable power supply, which can greatly enhance the performance of your audio system.
Singer Alternators
Singer has earned a solid reputation for its high-performance alternators that meet the demands of advanced car audio systems.
Their alternators are designed with the needs of audio enthusiasts in mind, providing the increased power that high-end car audio systems require.
PowerBastards
Despite the unconventional name, PowerBastards.com is a reputable provider of high-output alternators.
They offer a wide variety of options for different vehicle models and a handy online tool to help you choose the right alternator for your needs.
While these top brands in the industry, remember that the best alternator for your car audio system will depend on several factors, including your vehicle’s specifications, the power demands of your audio system, and your budget.
Costs and Warranty of High Output Alternators
Once you’ve selected the right high-output alternator for your car audio system, two other essential factors need to be considered: the installation costs and the warranty of the alternator.
These can greatly affect the overall value of your purchase and the long-term performance of your car audio system.
Installation Costs of High Output Alternators
Let’s begin with the installation costs. High-output alternators are typically more complex than standard alternators, so it’s advisable to hire a professional for the job to ensure a proper fit and maximum performance.
But, as we all know, professional installation comes with a cost. Now, the exact installation cost can vary depending on several factors, such as:
- The specific make and model of your car
- The complexity of the installation process
- The labor rates of the mechanic or the auto shop you choose
From my experience, you can expect to pay somewhere between $100 to $400 for professional installation.
This is a rough estimate, and actual costs could be higher or lower depending on your specific application.
Warranty Considerations for High Output Alternators
Next, let’s move on to the warranty. Much like any other significant automotive part, high-output alternators usually come with a warranty. This offers you some protection against defects or issues that may arise after purchase.
Warranty coverage can vary greatly between different brands and models. Some offer a limited one-year warranty, while others may provide a more extensive two or three-year warranty.
The warranty typically covers defects in materials or workmanship but usually doesn’t cover damage caused by improper installation, misuse, or normal wear and tear.
A warranty is a must-have when purchasing a high-output alternator. It’s an added assurance that you’re investing in a reliable product backed by the manufacturer if the manufacturer is confident in the quality of its own products.
Further Reading About Car Audio Alternators
What Size Alternator is Best for Your Car Audio?
If you’re planning to upgrade your car’s sound system, choose an alternator that can provide enough power to meet the demands of your system.
But what size alternator is best for your car audio needs?
The answer depends on a variety of factors, including the size and power requirements of your sound system, as well as the make and model of your car.
For more information, read the article about what size alternator is best for car audio.
You I Hear Alternator Through Car Speakers
Do you often hear the alternator through car speakers? You’re not alone in this. In fact, it’s a common issue car owners face. This often occurs due to a phenomenon called electromagnetic interference (EMI), produced by the alternator and picked up by your vehicle’s audio system.
A poor grounding connection, a faulty alternator, or even a compromised filter in the power supply can contribute to this annoying interference. To gain a deeper understanding of why this happens, read more about the cause and potential solutions for hearing your alternator through your car speakers.
Conclusion
Selecting the best alternator for your car sound system is essential to maximize the audio experience.
It requires understanding your car’s electrical needs, power requirements for the installed car audio, and selecting an alternator that’s perfectly matched with your vehicle’s specifics.
High-output alternators, especially from brands like Mechman, DC Power Engineering, and Singer Alternators, can substantially boost your system’s performance, ensuring a steady, reliable power supply for even the most demanding sound systems.
However, the true cost of a high-output alternator isn’t merely its upfront price – installation costs and warranty considerations also play a critical role. So, while it might be tempting to cut corners, the long-term benefits of professional installation and a solid warranty can save you from potential headaches down the line.