alternator question

[clbrfan]

I was wondering what the stock alternator on a base 2009 vibe is rated at. I have had no luck with the google searches I have done or reading the posts on this site. I will be upgrading my audio system shortly and am not going all out, but really dont want my headlights dimming and other electrical problems. What i plan on adding is a polk audio 1100.5 - 5channel amp running at 80 watts x 4 @ 4 ohms and 400 watts x 1 @ 2ohms connected to polk audio mm6501 componets for the front doors , polk audio mm651coaxial for the rear doors and polk audio mm 12dvc subwoofer. I am not planning on adding a new head unit for probably a year or so. So basically can the alternator handle it or do I need a cap or second battery or do I need to upgrade the alternator. I already have the speakers and amp and have been saving my money to get it installed and would like some input on what else I need from unbiased people that aren't trying to sell me unneed crap. and no i dont have any pics of the vibe it is a 2009 carbon grey base manual and the only option is ac

[Old Tele man]

...something you're forgetting: the OUTPUT power into the speakers is only a fraction of the INPUT power from the battery/alternator...and typically runs somewhere between 50% (2X) and 30% (3X), depending upon the amplifiers' "Class" of operation....that means a 400W OUTPUT could be "sucking" anywhere from 800W to 1333W from the battery/alternator!...of course, with most music, you're not getting 400W output continously, but rather in bursts of loudness, and thus bursts of LOTs of power draw. But, its still a lot of power being drawn even if it is only momentarily (ultra-caps can help here).

[gimmegimme]

The service manual says:Rated Output 80ALoad Test Output 56A

[Old Tele man]

...at 14Volts that's between 784W (@56A,nominal) and 1120W (@80A,maximum), pretty much the numbers for that amplifier...but what about all the REST of the electrical needs in the car (engine, radio, lights, etc.)?

[joejoev]

The best solution to avoid any electrical problems would be to upgrade the alternator. However, a 1 farad cap should suit your needs based on the specs you provided.My personal experience: No dimming headlights, no electrical problems with the following components installed and accessories running in my '04 base Vibe. This applies to both the OEM 320cca battery and upgrade to 650cca (after OEM not holding charge). 80%+ of my driving is at night. 386,000 actual miles.Pioneer AVH-P6500DVD head unitLightning Audio 1 farad cap (forget model #)Audiobahn A4002V Amp (100Wx2 RMS @ 4ohms)- Boston Acoustics Pro60SE components (125W RMS, 3ohms)Audiobahn A4004V Amp (50Wx4 RMS @ 4ohms)- Polk Audio Db650 2-ways (60W RMS, 4 ohms)- 2 Kicker Comp 8" subs (100W RMS, 8ohms each) wired parallel & bridged across channels 3-4CB radio continuously on while driving (hard wired & fused at battery)DRLs or headlights & fog lights always onHVAC fan always running on #2, 3, or 4Phone charger plugged into 2-prong outlet for 2-3 hours per day

[Sublimewind]

Hi and welcome to GV... !! First off, caps will help the dimming lights, but do practically NOTHING for the electrical system itself, in fact it often acts as MORE of a load than it remedies.. You should be fine... as mentioned, you would be using "rated" power day to day... unless you listen at full volume all the time... A better battery would be a good idea.... Thing is, the car runs form the alt while the motor is running, and only dips into the battery when the load exceeds the output of the alt.. Doing the "big 3" on the car would help.. A good quality 4-1/0awg supply cable will help... (I like kicker hyperflex) Really the best overall would be a different alt.. I just got a 140A for my Subie for ~200 from Maniac Electric Motors...

[Old Tele man]

...who sells or remanufactures Vibe/Matrix "high-output" alternators these days?...many, many years ago, I did a DIY on my Mopar alternator, replacing all the diodes and the stator (output) winding to go from 60A (stock) to 100A (police).

[Sublimewind]

http://www.maniacelectricmotors.com/index.html130A for Matrix/Vibe ~220$http://www.maniacelectricmotor....html

[clbrfan]

First off thank you to all for the replies, very helpful information. I am planning on using stinger, and pac parts for the install I used to work foe Aamp of America and left on good terms and still should be able to get them at cost. My amp will only accept up to 4 gauge wire, but I plan on using 0 gauge into a one - 0 gauge to a two - 4 gauge distrubution block in case I want to add another amp later on. I know if I do add another I will definetly need an better alternator. Another question should I double inline fuse the power wire, once close to the battery (0 gauge say about 250 amps) and again after the distrubution block (4 gauge say about 125 amps) or would that be overkill. The amp has 3 - 40 amp fuses in it. Also can I do the ground wire the same as the power two 4 gauge into one 0 gauge. The amps will be close together (1st under passenger seat and if added second under drivers seat) because I have heard you dont want more than a 3 feet of ground wire. I also will be installing some stinger roadkill I have 4 of the bulk packs total of 144 square feet. And with the roadkill should I still install baffles for the door speakers? Thank you in advance.