In article ,
"David" wrote:

The mechanic is right!

The alternator has to provide enough amperage to power your car's entire
electrical system, charge the battery, then feed your amp. Most replacement
alternators only provide sufficient power to support the vehicle's OEM
needs, with little left for a slammin' system...

You need a larger (amperage-wise) alternator and/or a 1F (or larger!)
stiffening capacitor...

David
UnderTheDash.com

Sorry, but a stiffening cap is worthless. Do the math for the voltage
swing on the cap and compare it to that of the battery. The capacitor
is insignificant.

You'd need to be drawing surges over 250 Amps before a cap became
worthwhile, and it would have to be a ****load bigger than a few Farads.
Effort would be better spent on adding a second battery with a very high
cranking rating.

Even handheld mobile transmitters use capacitors of 1F to 5F. Putting a
few F on a high powered audio amp is like waxing your car to make it go
faster.



"SHRED©" wrote in message
news:IVbzb.26297$Bk1.22835@fed1read05...
I am on my 4th alternator in my 1991 Integra.
Napa autocare service centers are replacing them, under warranty, until
now.
They referred me to an auto-electric shop. This shop claims that my car's
wiring is fine but the amplifier in my car is responsible for destroying
the
Napa alternators.

I have an Alpine MRD-F752 5ch (75wx4 and 250wx1) driving 4 PA DX6's and a
JL
Audio 12".

The mechanic at the auto-elec shop claims that he tested the amp and it is
drawing between 50-80 amps!! This is a 60amp rated alternator so with the
lights and A/C, etc..he claims the stereo is pushing it over the edge.

Wait a minute...Watts divided by volts= amps.
325w / 12v = 27amps..right?

Why would that Alpine be reading so high?

Why do my headlight dim with the bass note thumps even when not blasting?

I think it is a Napa alternator issue...as in junk.

I have to call them in the morning and let them know if I am going to
remove
the amplifier. Damn I'd hate to do that it sounds so sweet.

WTF can I do? I am scrambling for electrical answers I know little of.

Why do my friends, in little Honda Civics and other vehicles, have no
problems driving 500 watts with the stock alternators?

Thanks