So with the new system, now I have the problem of dimming headlights and what not when the sub is turned up...should I get a capacitor or should I beef up to a higher output alternator? Does anyone know what the stock alternator puts out on a 04 Edge v6 4.0L? My roomate says to go to an alternator shop and get it 'wrapped' with extra copper or something to increase the output. Any one familiar with this?

 

Some alternator shops can do that, you have to ask around.

Your best bet is an alternator upgrade. Capacitors are a bandaid and you don't know if it will actually help until you buy one and install it. And they

 

"And they..." What? lol. You didn't finish, Matt.

Both are useful, but like in engines -- "there's no replacement for displacement". Meaning you need a power source that can handle the load.

That said, a capacitor can significantly reduce the apparent impedance of the source which is of benefit particularly with bass impulses. You do your best to make good wiring feeds but there is always some residual resistance and a cap can help "solidify" the power at the consumption end for intermittent loads.

 

Alternator. You can have an alternator rewound, but the cost of those is roughly the same as a high amp alternator new.

Like said above, caps are bandaid fixes unless you have a good size alternator, then a cap becomes a reservoir.

 

Alternators and batteries are the only way to solve a steady voltage drop problem. Caps simply stableize voltage.

Rewound alternators are alright but they tend to make less power at idle than an HO alt.

 

I believe we have 95 amp alternators but somebody can correct me if I'm wrong. Definately agree with the above, caps are more like bandaids. They still have the purpose of stability so they are still useful. HO alternator is your best bet. Buy 2 and send one my way when you get around to it.

 

That idle problem is dead on. I had this when I bought a 200 amp alternator in a bigger case (3G large case as opposed to the 3G small case).

My solution was to calculate the size pulley needed that would be smaller than the one I had, but wouldn't result in over-spinning the alternator. As it turns out, that happened to be the smallest pulley I could find anyway. It helped.

If you have an underdrive pulley on your crankshaft, then the problem is compounded.

My amperage requirements are because of a winch, but I also have a second battery, switching system, and a solar charger to keep the second battery at "peak" while "offline" from the main charging system. This way, it offers the ability to be a "self jump start" power source.

 

So can anybody refer a good HO alternator I can purchase, and where I can find it, one that is reliable and quality?

 

I got a new PowerMaster from Summit.

 

I was looking at powermasters website, doesnt look like they make one that fits my truck....04 Edge v6 4.0L

 

one for a '97 4.0 will fit it.

 

MeanGreen
Iraggi HO Alt
Ohio Generators

 

just find a large case 3G. choose ur bolt pattern flavor and go from there.

FYI, those 200A alternators dont work. a rib belt can only pull 180A, anything more and it will slip.

 

The parastic inductance is probably the biggest factor in the voltage drop from the Di/Dt. Therefore, placing a capacitor with low ESR as close to the amplifier can help with the large current demands. Keep the leads on the capacitor as short as possible. There are some other tricks that can be done to the voltage regulator to decrease the response time to voltage drops.