Is an HO alternator completely necessary??

Question

My system currently is about 1300 watts rms. I am running it no problem on a stock alternator, stock big 3, stock battery. Im gonna be upgrading my system to around 2300 watts rms. Should i be fine if i just upgrade the big 3 and get an optima battery? cuz i dont want to have to buy an HO alternator unless i absolutely have to.

Answer 1

yes I would upgrade this system is going to take alot of power to run and you still need to run all your other systems if your running output drops below 10v your car is going to die and risk computer damage so spend the $ now or later

Answer 2

yes upgrade

Answer 3

If you plan on upgrading to that much power you are going to HAVE to upgrade to a HO alternator.  There is not going to be any stock car that will have a big enough alternator to handle the power demands of a system that big.  I am actually surprised that you haven't had any problems with a 1300w RMS system.

If you want to do it right then you will need to do all three upgrades (big 3, battery, and alternator).  The alternator is going to be the most important of them all because that is where the power if coming from.  If you do not upgrade it you will probably have to upgrade it anyways later on because you will wreck your stock alternator.  

You are going to need a pretty big alternator if you do upgrade.  It is usually best to get as big of an alternator as you can fit.  Don't upgrade to something like a 200A alternator because that will not be enough for a system that large.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

You're fortunate to be okay with 1300W RMS on all stock, to be honest.  If you're looking to skimp on one of the electrical upgrades, I'd skip the Optima and get the HO alternator first.  The "Big 3" and HO alternator will be a better combo upgrade then the "Big 3" & Optima battery, IMO.

Answer 5

I'd upgrade the alternator if you're going to 2,300 watts.  Especially if it's rms watts.  If you're talking about peak watts, you might not need the alternator.  Depends on how many amps your alt puts out.

Answer 6

Yea i would. check out some power cells to.