How much juice do I need from my Altenator?

[Doc Voodoo]

I have a 1966 mustang with a 55 AMP altenator. What size do I need to power two 200 Watt MTX amplifiers along with the 10 disc changer radio and equlizer ?

 

[Saleen4971]

what size fuses do your amps have? my amps have 2 25's and 2 30's, whcih makes a 110 amp load total. but thats at max draw, so you dont need an alternator that makes that many amps, but keep in mind, theres also everythign else in the car runnign off of it.

 

[UMDSmith]

Most new cars have a minimum of 60 amps. I very easy way to check is hook up a voltmeter while the car is running, and do a test. Do a test first with only the car on, the meter should be in the green. Then start turning on components (headlights, highbeams, heat, windshield wipers, dome light) see if it stays in the green/yellow. Then kick on your stereo with some thumps. If it drops in the red, it means that your alternator can't handle it and charge the battery at the same time. If it only drops during the VERY hard thumps, you could make due with just a capacitor (sp?). If its way down in the red, I'd suggest an upgraded alternator. 100amp should be more then enough and I believe they make nice 100amp single wire alternators.

 

[93GreenLX]

I have a 200 amp alternator...but then again 4000watts of stereo equipment...100 amp should be plenty for you

 

[91BlckGT]

I have a 1966 mustang with a 55 AMP altenator. What size do I need to power two 200 Watt MTX amplifiers along with the 10 disc changer radio and equlizer ?

I'd pose this question to PA Performance. They should be able to hook you up with an alt that fits your front engine dress (assuming you have a 289, and that they don't have the same configuration as a modern 302).

That being said, if they are similar enough, the cheapest route is to pick up a rebuild 130amp model out of an SN-95 (like the 94 and 95 mustang GT). 130Amp with a Optima Yellow top is all the power you'll need, and will allow your system to grow if you want it to.

 

[93GreenLX]

You stock alternator should be fine with that but if not the 95amp upgrade they offer will be more than plenty