Im bout to put 3 kole audio kmx 15's in my car and i was wonderin what do i need to upgrade in my car?

Question

they are each 1000watt rms and i was wonderin how big of a capacitor i need,and do i need a new battery,and how big of a altenator to i need to upgrade to

Answer 1

Rule of thumb when using caps, 1.0 farred for every 1,000 watts rms. Do you need these? No, they are a waste of money. It is nothing more than an energy bank sitting there waiting to be called on, and that is it. Do the big three upgrade (as it is called). Google it and you can find out all the info that you need to get this done. As for the battery, Optima is good, just not as good as they once where. There are others out there that are much better, like kinetic, but will cost you alot. You really do not need a HO (high output) alternator, although it is highly suggested to get one.

By the way James H. is an idiot, he has no clue to what he is talking about. Just what is a 3000 watt capacitor? I thought they were measured by farred. Well the last time I checked they were, oh that was about an hour ago. Learn before you give advice James.

Answer 2

Capacitors are a big waste of money...  Get a Yellow top optima battery, 200 amp altenator, and upgrade all the ground wires to the battery and the power wire from altenator to battery. Use a 0 gauge to run to the amps from the battery too.

Answer 3

You'll need a very high capacity alternator, i'd guess like, a 3000 watt capacitor, at least, and Get a DEEP CYCLE battery.

They maintain the same power level untill they die.

Answer 4

Well George... it's Farad....

Anywho...

If your total system power is 1000 watts RMS or more,  you will need to:

1. Upgrade the alternator to a high output alternator

2. Upgrade to a heavy duty deep cycle battery

3. Upgrade the "Big 3" - that is to replace (or add to) the power wire between the battery and alternator, the ground from the battery to the chassis and the ground strap from the engine/tranny to the chassis with at least 2 AWG wire.

Failure to do this will result in the early death of the alternator  as it will eventually fail.

Here is a guide that will calculate what size alternator and power wires you need  http://www.datafilehost.com/download.php...

You will need Microsoft Excel. If you don't have Excel, use this link http://www.box.net/shared/nkkw1dhk4g

A second battery is never a good idea as it's an added strain on the alternator to charge two batteries AND supply power for the car. The ONLY time a second battery is useful is if the audio system is to be used with the car off.

A capacitor is only good so far as the audio system isn't trying to pull too much from the electrical system. A cap doesn't provide more power, it's designed to 'stiffen' the voltage to the amp, nothing else. If the current isn't there, a cap won't help.

The alternator must have at least 20% more amperage power than the entire vehicle and sound system combined for a cap to be of benefit which is ironically the same requirements for an amp to be efficient.

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