My Son has been telling me this for a long while, and now he has me getting a 1500 watt amp for my 2022 Ford Edge to drive 2 10's. Reckon i will start at the front and work my way back. Great video btw. I'm 69yo and have been into sound systems my whole life and don't see myself slowing down yet.. First system was a 8 track (quadraphonic) in my 1964 1/2 Mustang Convertible when i was 16. Thanks again for the video you rock man!
Man you are very educational. I have learned so much watching your videos. Its real people like you that we need on here for car audio. Thanks for your help!
Everything matters, The alt, the batteries, the wiring quality and size, and most important is the installation. That's why a good system is not cheap. You will need all these things to get the sound and performance in it like you say.
I love how your electrical system is simple yet to the point. It don't have a bunch of fancy terminals and look all pretty yet it's effective and it performs. I stress to people all the time that it's not about what you got but having everything done right and simple yet proper. Engine bay reminds me of mine lol. And everything said on this video was truth!
I have a 02 lexus ls430 with single fosgate t1 12 subwoofer wired to 2 ohms on a kicker cxa1200.1 amp. Stock 130 amp alternator with Big 4 and yellow top optima battery under the hood and a xs power d925 battery in the trunk. All 0 gauge ofc wires. Used a voltage boost diode and my voltage stays around 14.0 volt full tilt 😊
That agm battery will start having voltage drop to the point of clipping the amplifier at about 70% charge. You will never get anywhere close to the amount of play time you suggested. I have been through this with my boat operating without an alternator. Though agm are better than lead acid, 3000 watts off of one is not happening..if someone wants any amount of playtime without charge, what you need is lipo4. A 15AH lipo4 will play longer than that Agm you have that's rated at 50Ah. Lipo4 will stay above 13 volts and maintain 100+ amp draw until 17% charge. Vs 70 to 75% on agm.
Smart man. You are exactly right. I'm running a dual alternator setup with 200ah of lifep04 lithium going to 2- Audio Apex CAB4500. Those are pushing 4 Skar VXF 15s in a 6th order enclosure. My voltage doesn't drop below 14. Took me a long time to figure it out myself but now I have the power to make power. Actually still going to add more power to it so my voltage doesn't move at all. That should be everyone's first goal when building a system.
Im getting a single VXF 15 here soon. What battery and alt would you reccomend? And how many watts rms can a single vxf 15 play on a sine tone? idk how big of an amp to get. Thinking Skar SKv2 3500 but idk.
@@bailey2517 you shouldn't need anything that big for only 1 sub but a good 2500 rms amp would be good. And a couple extra batteries and then you should be good.
Make sure u do not have ecu controlled charging before u buy a bigher alternator! I made that mistake with my ram 5.7 hemi ..It will be a waiste of money....U will need to find the most efficient amplifier u can and will need to have good reserve power....i have 3 batteries total
You may have to try the OEM 6.4 hemi 220amp Alt from dodge? I’m thinking about making that upgrade since it’s in the 6.4. My guess is those from be compatible w the 5.7 ECU.
@TheRealTMaze I made my own complete charging circuit with a voltage regulator and bypassed the ecu controlled charging..now I sit at 15v but u will get a check gauges light
have a question im trying to run a 3k amp hifonics and trying to upgrade my electrical want to go with a 370 alternator and a D4800 xs power battery but that battery say max 3000 watts but thats the battery my truck calls for group 48 i would rather run a D6500 but it will not fit in the battery box would you think the 4800 will work for my system i heard you say headroom alot but the 4800 will not give me that or would i have to get a second battery ? THANKS
What size and brand battery and alternator do i need for a 5000 watts system. My stock alt is a 220 i have a 21 Silverado factory Head unit 2 salt 2k amp 1 salt 200.4 4 channel amp. 4 x8 v.4 subs and a helix dsp 3s processor?
I have a 2014 dodge charger .. Im going to hook up 2 12 L7 q class with a kicker 1800.1 .. will I be alright with just adding a 2nd battery xs power d3400 or do I have to upgrade alternator as well… someone please help
07 Cummins 5.9. Running DD 4K amp with 4 dd supercharged 8” woofers. My lights start dimming and my amp voltage meter drops to 13.5ish when I turn up high level of volume. I have two optima YELLOWTOPS and a 370amp alternator. How can I fix the dimming light problem and is the volt dropping normal?!
Question I have a 2012 Ram 1500 I upgraded the alternator to a 250 amps a yellow top 34 class Optima battery and now I'm in the process of adding the second battery to run about 2,500 Watts can I run a standard battery Agm to support this and should I use the yellow top battery as the secondary battery and 1st battery say a standard agm battery??
I have a 320amp alternator puts out 14.8 volts never drops past 14.3 can't get more than 600 or 700 watts taramps 1800 oh and not on 40hz tones but on music
I have 160amp alternator in my silverado. I know my battery is going bad. I'm gonna upgrade to xs power d3400. I'm running about 1000w rms. should i be okay with that 160amp alternator? And would you know the warranty on the batteries?
I have a 1,200 watt total system with a 150amp alternator and not getting any lights dimming at all. I would think 1,000 on a 160 should be more than fine. Are you getting any dimming?
Would the big 3 make a difference on bass performance with a stock alternator? i know theres alot of factors in this but just in general would the big 3 run things smoother?
Thanks, My amp is a kxa 2400 and i have stock alt 160 and a 2nd battery d6500 and my amp will get hot overtime. my gains arnt crazy high or anything but at a certain point turning the gain up it doesnt get louder it just makes the amp hotter, im assuming its trying to provide more amperage but my alternator doesnt have it so its just overworking it self. i honestly feel like im only getting maybe 900-1000 true watts because i heard a buddy of mine who has a 3k amp and 260 alt with same battery as mine and its just twice as loud. i plan on getting a new alt soon and big 3 soon. im glad i found ur channel i gained alot of knowledge off your videos salute 👍
My stock alternator is 145 amps. I’m getting a 250 amp alternator. If I run dual alternators with the two will I be getting 395 amps or does it not work like that?
diesels have 1/0 powerwire some older deiesls are even 2/0 thru most there system factory. only one you have to upgrade is from your altinator to powerbank.
Will it hurt the system to have a primary lead battery and then an xs power battery as the secondary in the trunk to supply the sounds? I can only afford one xs battery for now and I wonder will this be ok to do for a little while.
Okay I need help with, what if you can't find an AGM battery that will fit your stock battery location? I'm trying to put a AGM up front, but I CAN'T find any AGM that will fit the location. I do have a AGM in the back, but just not up front. All battery that I have looked up are acid batteries that will fit my stock battery location.
I measured the space, but I literally can't find any AGM to fit my stock battery location. Im really not trying to run a acid battery. It defeats the purpose
@@abdomination Yep! Even if I went smaller 😂. Ima true basshead, so whatever I can find that fit I'm going to it hahaha. My car is a 99 Plymouth Breeze, battery group 75.
I wish mech man stop playing and make there 500 amp mechman for other manufacturers except for chevy so many system builders arnt just running a suburbans
Rc on batteries is generally rated at 25amps. Usually wat ur headlights require. Meaning it can run ur head lights for that amount of time if u forget to turn them off after u turn off ur car. Lol bro ur not pumping 3k wats for over 2hours with ur car off. Don’t believe me trying and spin that diesel over without starting it, u be lucky to last 5 minutes.? U would probably need a battery as big as a vehicle to supply these insane claims. Moral of the story people get a bigger alternator as your best investment and don’t bump hard with the engine off….. I’m gone
No one! is explaining this subject like you are. Keep up the good work you are doing gods work man, thank you.
My Son has been telling me this for a long while, and now he has me getting a 1500 watt amp for my 2022 Ford Edge to drive 2 10's. Reckon i will start at the front and work my way back. Great video btw. I'm 69yo and have been into sound systems my whole life and don't see myself slowing down yet.. First system was a 8 track (quadraphonic) in my 1964 1/2 Mustang Convertible when i was 16. Thanks again for the video you rock man!
IT TAKES POWER TO MAKE POWER!!!! Electrical is the key to a successful system….
Man you are very educational. I have learned so much watching your videos. Its real people like you that we need on here for car audio. Thanks for your help!
I’m so Glad I found your channel x Sir
Everything matters, The alt, the batteries, the wiring quality and size, and most important is the installation. That's why a good system is not cheap. You will need all these things to get the sound and performance in it like you say.
I love how your electrical system is simple yet to the point. It don't have a bunch of fancy terminals and look all pretty yet it's effective and it performs. I stress to people all the time that it's not about what you got but having everything done right and simple yet proper. Engine bay reminds me of mine lol. And everything said on this video was truth!
Brother, you and your channel are definitely a Blessings!!🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Following you,
I'm starting my system ALLLLLLLLLLLL over again. '13 GMC Sierra crew cab. 3" Lift seat, need box.
Pocket Change 318 text 404 694 4818...
I have a 02 lexus ls430 with single fosgate t1 12 subwoofer wired to 2 ohms on a kicker cxa1200.1 amp. Stock 130 amp alternator with Big 4 and yellow top optima battery under the hood and a xs power d925 battery in the trunk. All 0 gauge ofc wires. Used a voltage boost diode and my voltage stays around 14.0 volt full tilt 😊
Thanks for what you do.
That agm battery will start having voltage drop to the point of clipping the amplifier at about 70% charge. You will never get anywhere close to the amount of play time you suggested. I have been through this with my boat operating without an alternator. Though agm are better than lead acid, 3000 watts off of one is not happening..if someone wants any amount of playtime without charge, what you need is lipo4. A 15AH lipo4 will play longer than that Agm you have that's rated at 50Ah. Lipo4 will stay above 13 volts and maintain 100+ amp draw until 17% charge. Vs 70 to 75% on agm.
you mean LIFEP04? if so then yes that would certainly do it, their discharge voltage curve is fantastic
@Jeremy Vest yes, lifepo4.. my phone was autocorrecting to a word that doesn't exist. Thanks for clarifying.
@@dougbrook6223 lol it's all good, My phone screws up so many words way too often 😂 and that one sure is a strange one for it.
Smart man. You are exactly right. I'm running a dual alternator setup with 200ah of lifep04 lithium going to 2- Audio Apex CAB4500. Those are pushing 4 Skar VXF 15s in a 6th order enclosure. My voltage doesn't drop below 14. Took me a long time to figure it out myself but now I have the power to make power. Actually still going to add more power to it so my voltage doesn't move at all. That should be everyone's first goal when building a system.
Im getting a single VXF 15 here soon. What battery and alt would you reccomend? And how many watts rms can a single vxf 15 play on a sine tone? idk how big of an amp to get. Thinking Skar SKv2 3500 but idk.
@@bailey2517 you shouldn't need anything that big for only 1 sub but a good 2500 rms amp would be good. And a couple extra batteries and then you should be good.
Started Maintaining my batteries and It makes a big difference. Appreciate the info.
Thanks again for the vids bro..very important
Hey brother I really appreciate you explaining this I will be doing my homework and doing some upgrades
Preeaaach!!💪🏾💪🏾💯💯
Great video.. A class content
BEST VIDEO IVE EVER SEEN ON UA-cam X 100
Can you do a Single battery vehicle Comparison? On your F-150
I just gotta re-share this on Mechman F-Book page. The information is simply too great not to. Thanks for all you do MBE!
Crazy I'm watching this video as Im about to order from your site
Awesome info!!!!
Man..
Just when i thought i was good and ready to bump lol. Now i gotta go buy a $350 AGM battery! Damn it son! Oh well. Good video my friend.
Make sure u do not have ecu controlled charging before u buy a bigher alternator! I made that mistake with my ram 5.7 hemi ..It will be a waiste of money....U will need to find the most efficient amplifier u can and will need to have good reserve power....i have 3 batteries total
You may have to try the OEM 6.4 hemi 220amp Alt from dodge? I’m thinking about making that upgrade since it’s in the 6.4. My guess is those from be compatible w the 5.7 ECU.
@TheRealTMaze I made my own complete charging circuit with a voltage regulator and bypassed the ecu controlled charging..now I sit at 15v but u will get a check gauges light
That higher output alternator makes a big difference than that stock and having wet cell with AGM is a no no unless you running a isolator
have a question im trying to run a 3k amp hifonics and trying to upgrade my electrical want to go with a 370 alternator and a D4800 xs power battery but that battery say max 3000 watts but thats the battery my truck calls for group 48 i would rather run a D6500 but it will not fit in the battery box would you think the 4800 will work for my system i heard you say headroom alot but the 4800 will not give me that or would i have to get a second battery ? THANKS
What size and brand battery and alternator do i need for a 5000 watts system. My stock alt is a 220 i have a 21 Silverado factory Head unit 2 salt 2k amp 1 salt 200.4 4 channel amp. 4 x8 v.4 subs and a helix dsp 3s processor?
Thank You!!!!!!!!
Class is in session
I have a 2014 dodge charger .. Im going to hook up 2 12 L7 q class with a kicker 1800.1 .. will I be alright with just adding a 2nd battery xs power d3400 or do I have to upgrade alternator as well… someone please help
Nothing but facts
07 Cummins 5.9. Running DD 4K amp with 4 dd supercharged 8” woofers. My lights start dimming and my amp voltage meter drops to 13.5ish when I turn up high level of volume. I have two optima YELLOWTOPS and a 370amp alternator. How can I fix the dimming light problem and is the volt dropping normal?!
What do you think about lithium should I go lithium with a 400mechman alternator 12k taramps amp or is it ok to go agm?
✈️✈️✈️
Put wire ferrules on the wires going on and out of the fuse and also heat shrink tubing.Your fuse wires are too exposed.
Question I have a 2012 Ram 1500 I upgraded the alternator to a 250 amps a yellow top 34 class Optima battery and now I'm in the process of adding the second battery to run about 2,500 Watts can I run a standard battery Agm to support this and should I use the yellow top battery as the secondary battery and 1st battery say a standard agm battery??
340 alternator then delete agm battery and run a 200ah lifepo4 battery and your system will slam way louder and cleaner!
I have a 320amp alternator puts out 14.8 volts never drops past 14.3 can't get more than 600 or 700 watts taramps 1800 oh and not on 40hz tones but on music
And the most my amp pulls is 20amps
Oh and lol I have agm in back slam in front 😕😕 maybe I should get better front battery
I have 160amp alternator in my silverado. I know my battery is going bad. I'm gonna upgrade to xs power d3400. I'm running about 1000w rms. should i be okay with that 160amp alternator? And would you know the warranty on the batteries?
I have a 1,200 watt total system with a 150amp alternator and not getting any lights dimming at all. I would think 1,000 on a 160 should be more than fine. Are you getting any dimming?
100 % and capacitor will be more helpful or step up transfer
Transformer
Would the big 3 make a difference on bass performance with a stock alternator? i know theres alot of factors in this but just in general would the big 3 run things smoother?
Yes
Thanks, My amp is a kxa 2400 and i have stock alt 160 and a 2nd battery d6500 and my amp will get hot overtime. my gains arnt crazy high or anything but at a certain point turning the gain up it doesnt get louder it just makes the amp hotter, im assuming its trying to provide more amperage but my alternator doesnt have it so its just overworking it self. i honestly feel like im only getting maybe 900-1000 true watts because i heard a buddy of mine who has a 3k amp and 260 alt with same battery as mine and its just twice as loud. i plan on getting a new alt soon and big 3 soon. im glad i found ur channel i gained alot of knowledge off your videos salute 👍
My stock alternator is 145 amps. I’m getting a 250 amp alternator. If I run dual alternators with the two will I be getting 395 amps or does it not work like that?
Have you done the Big3?
diesels have 1/0 powerwire some older deiesls are even 2/0 thru most there system factory.
only one you have to upgrade is from your altinator to powerbank.
Which should be upgraded first, alternator or battery? If you could only do one
Alternator
@@M.B.Enclosures thanks man. Your the best car audio channel on youtube
But cone area is king? 🤔
Yes it is, but a "passsive" king who is only as strong as his amplifier, hiw is only as strong as its consistent amperage/power supply
@@michaelmiller7350 so he just a "figure head" then?
@@Loffon08 exactly, and the best option for a figure head (subwoofer) would be the ones with most potential to repeat information i.e. 🔊
Yessa!!!
Will it hurt the system to have a primary lead battery and then an xs power battery as the secondary in the trunk to supply the sounds? I can only afford one xs battery for now and I wonder will this be ok to do for a little while.
Never run a lead battery with a AGM. The AGM will always be charging the lead battery when the car is off. No it is not alright.
@@M.B.Enclosures thank you. I am learning so much from your channel.
I would upgrade your starting battery first
@@heartlessg4150 I did. 👍🏾
Okay I need help with, what if you can't find an AGM battery that will fit your stock battery location? I'm trying to put a AGM up front, but I CAN'T find any AGM that will fit the location. I do have a AGM in the back, but just not up front. All battery that I have looked up are acid batteries that will fit my stock battery location.
Just measure the space you got then look for agm battery that fits that.
I measured the space, but I literally can't find any AGM to fit my stock battery location. Im really not trying to run a acid battery. It defeats the purpose
@@jaydabassman7427 even if you went smaller hahaha. What is your battery group size and what car
@@abdomination Yep! Even if I went smaller 😂. Ima true basshead, so whatever I can find that fit I'm going to it hahaha. My car is a 99 Plymouth Breeze, battery group 75.
@@jaydabassman7427 I found a Duracell AGM right away
Mae you a google voice number and forward the calls to your cell phone boss. Salute.
solar panel is better than a charger
I wish mech man stop playing and make there 500 amp mechman for other manufacturers except for chevy so many system builders arnt just running a suburbans
Rc on batteries is generally rated at 25amps. Usually wat ur headlights require. Meaning it can run ur head lights for that amount of time if u forget to turn them off after u turn off ur car. Lol bro ur not pumping 3k wats for over 2hours with ur car off. Don’t believe me trying and spin that diesel over without starting it, u be lucky to last 5 minutes.? U would probably need a battery as big as a vehicle to supply these insane claims. Moral of the story people get a bigger alternator as your best investment and don’t bump hard with the engine off….. I’m gone