Upgrading alternator??

[mjscharlotte]

Hey guys,
I'm installing speakers front and rear and (2) 10" subwoofers in my crew cab Ram 1500. I will be powering the components with a Soundesign 800.4 amplifier and a 1600.1d for the subwoofers.The subwoofers are Tezla 1.0 and the speakers are Ground Zero GZCM Pro 6.5" and Ground Zero tweeters GZCT 0500. At what point do you guys upgrade the alternator and/or install a 2nd battery? There's not alot of room in the engine bay to put another battery - where would you put it? Thanks

 

[regal81455]

I'm sure others will chime in but currently I've got a a d6.1200 and an x502 ( 154A possible draw IIRC ) and haven't upgraded anything other than doing the big three. I haven't noticed any issues with voltage drop enough to warrant a new alternator even with lights on BUT alternator would be first and that would be based on your amperage draw. I'm not familiar with either amplifier - how much amp draw do you anticipate?

I think most are mounting a second battery, if needed, on the frame rail somewhere near the rear seating or in the bed.

 

[mjscharlotte]

I'm sure others will chime in but currently I've got a a d6.1200 and an x502 ( 154A possible draw IIRC ) and haven't upgraded anything other than doing the big three. I haven't noticed any issues with voltage drop enough to warrant a new alternator even with lights on BUT alternator would be first and that would be based on your amperage draw. I'm not familiar with either amplifier - how much amp draw do you anticipate?

I think most are mounting a second battery, if needed, on the frame rail somewhere near the rear seating or in the bed.

According to the website for the amplifiers - the maximum draw for the 800.4 is 78 amps and 39 amps for (music). The maximum draw for the 1600.1 is 174 amps and 87 amps for (music).

 

[regal81455]

That info is mildy confusing. Do the amps have fuses on them or are they fused on the wire only?

 

[Hemi395]

I'd upgrade the alternator with the big 3 before a dual battery setup.
If you do decide on an alternator, get one from JS Alternators. Very high quality alternators up to 410amp and they're a great company to work with.

https://js-alternators.com/product/...500-pickup-250-320-370-390-410amp-alternator/

 

[mjscharlotte]

That info is mildy confusing. Do the amps have fuses on them or are they fused on the wire only?

The Amps have fuses in them..

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
800.4 EVO X – 4Ω
Power @ 12.6V @ 4Ω: 4 X 132 WRMS
Power @ 12.6V @ 2Ω: 4 X 200 WRMS
Power @ 12.6V @ 1Ω: N/A
Bridge Power @ 12.6V @ 4Ω: 2 X 400 WRMS
Bridge Power @ 12.6V @ 2Ω: N/A
Power @ 14.4V @ 4Ω: 4 X 147 WRMS
Power @ 14.4V @ 2Ω: 4 X 223 WRMS
Power @ 14.4V @ 1Ω: N/A
Bridge Power @ 14.4V @ 4Ω: 2 X 446 WRMS
Bridge Power @ 14.4V @ 2Ω: N/A
Operating Voltage: 8V – 16V
Current Draw (Music): 40 A
Current Draw (Max): 80 A
Recommended Fuse (Music): 40 A
Total Efficiency: 79%
Damping Factor: 200
Frequency Response (-3dB): 5Hz – 22kHz
SNR: 91dB
Crossover HPF: 45Hz – 850Hz
Crossover LPF: 45Hz – 850Hz
THD + N (10% Rated Power): 0.1%
Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 4.4 x 1.9 in
Product Dimensions: 14.8 x 11.3 x 5.0 cm

 

[Graygoose]

what are the fuses, and how many?

 

[regal81455]

what are the fuses, and how many?

Exactly - this will help us determine the actual amount of pull expected. Alot of times an amps power is overstated, knowing how many fuses of whatever size can give you a pretty good idea whether or not the power it indicates is real or not.

In general I think on these rams you're going to be good up to or just over about 150A MAX draw without too much worry of having to upgrade an alternator or adding a 2nd battery.

The specs you indicate above are wildly different and present two completely different scenarios. You're either looking at a 125A draw or a 250A based on the info above. Generally speaking it's not provided the way you have given it to us.

 

[regal81455]

The Amps have fuses in them..

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
800.4 EVO X – 4Ω
Power @ 12.6V @ 4Ω: 4 X 132 WRMS
Power @ 12.6V @ 2Ω: 4 X 200 WRMS
Power @ 12.6V @ 1Ω: N/A
Bridge Power @ 12.6V @ 4Ω: 2 X 400 WRMS
Bridge Power @ 12.6V @ 2Ω: N/A
Power @ 14.4V @ 4Ω: 4 X 147 WRMS
Power @ 14.4V @ 2Ω: 4 X 223 WRMS
Power @ 14.4V @ 1Ω: N/A
Bridge Power @ 14.4V @ 4Ω: 2 X 446 WRMS
Bridge Power @ 14.4V @ 2Ω: N/A
Operating Voltage: 8V – 16V
Current Draw (Music): 40 A
Current Draw (Max): 80 A
Recommended Fuse (Music): 40 A
Total Efficiency: 79%
Damping Factor: 200
Frequency Response (-3dB): 5Hz – 22kHz
SNR: 91dB
Crossover HPF: 45Hz – 850Hz
Crossover LPF: 45Hz – 850Hz
THD + N (10% Rated Power): 0.1%
Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 4.4 x 1.9 in
Product Dimensions: 14.8 x 11.3 x 5.0 cm

Just looking at that I'm guessing they actually don't have fuses and they're expecting you to fuse it just after the battery and then again ( recommended ) right before the amp. If you can get a picture of the amp, you should see fuses on it's exterior - if it doesn't then plan on the above statement.

 

[crash68]

The advantage of a second battery before upgrading the alternator is the ability to play without the worry of not being able to a start the truck. Also with a dual battery set up is less voltage drop while the vehicle is running/both batteries being used at the same time.
A larger alternator is needed when the constant draw exceeds the the output of the stock alternator. Keep in mind playing music doesn't make the amps consistently draw any where near it's fused.

 

[88ROOK]

Hey guys,
I'm installing speakers front and rear and (2) 10" subwoofers in my crew cab Ram 1500. I will be powering the components with a Soundesign 800.4 amplifier and a 1600.1d for the subwoofers.The subwoofers are Tezla 1.0 and the speakers are Ground Zero GZCM Pro 6.5" and Ground Zero tweeters GZCT 0500. At what point do you guys upgrade the alternator and/or install a 2nd battery? There's not alot of room in the engine bay to put another battery - where would you put it? Thanks

UNLESS you're going to put a plow(plow takes alot of draw) on there is no need as the current setup will handle alot of power