How much can the stock alternator in Mavericks support? Edventually I would need a bit of power for stereo with a few large subs and a small computer with small LCD monitor.
Then put in another fuse panel. run 10 guage wire to it and make sure all the xtra accessories are fused and all Have proper grounds. Make sure the main 10 guage wire is fused also. I mounted a 8 fuse panel to the sterring column bracket and used push in fuses. these power any extra acc. other than what came from the factory. hope this helps. ps. dont go cheap on any wiring or installation. I soldered all connections and used shrinkwrap tubing on top of all joints. Anything drawing more than 15 amps should have 14 guage wire. Anything using 15 or less 16-18 guage is ok.Anything over 20 use 10 guage. !0 guage will handle up to 30 so that is the fues you use in your main power wire. This kind of wiring has worked for me for a very long time. never a fire or problem so far. never scrimp on safety. good luck
The alternators for 73 can be anywhere from 38 to 61 amp depending on the cars options, engine etc. The regulator also matches the alternator. A 100 amp Mustang unit will go on and is a one wire internal regulated unit. You should also consider a larger battery capacity. The charge lead from alternator to battery needs to be increases in size. General rule is to size the alternator at 150% of average max, current drain. 100 amp alternator running a max output is 1500 watts but that does not mean they should be running at that level at anytime except short bursts of charging the battey or it's life will be short. This is why the 150% rule should be the min.
Is that a real number or just an example? It almost has to be an example because 2000 watt amps for subs aren't uncommon I would probally have a max load of 2500 watts depending on what sound system I decided to install. But I need the car first
Are you kidding? 15 volts times 100 amps = 1500 watts at max charge rates. No it is not an example. Since I have no way of knowing what powers you are planning on, you have to do some home work and size the power of the alternator/ battery to your planned use or you will have a lot of problems. As it is the alternator will not supply peak currents at an audio rate because the regulator will not and is not designed to respond that fast. A large capacitor bank in needed if your going to knock trees down with high power bass. 100 amp alternator won't be large enough.
I'm putting a 100 amp '79-'82 LTD alternator on now as the drain on the police Mav is a bit much for the 60 amp alternator with everything running including the heater. This unit uses the same external regulator as the original ones on our cars. Fit is a problem as the bigger alternators are also sized larger, but after some cursing and regrouping, it fit. Not much adjustment room though. I'm considering removing it and notching out the bracket to allow for more movement for adjustment, but I'll have to see if it is necessary in the end. The stator and field wires need changed to a plug in type, but a retrofit item is readily available anywhere. I needed to change the pulley to a double belt one as it is an a/c car, which is part of the fit dilemna. I just substituted the one from the original unit. All I need I to get is minutely longer belts and it should be back up and running, hopefully.
PCGUY112887 if the subs are killing a system at max power, you just install a cap to take care of the hard hits.
Maybe I should just go with lower power subs I was just looking at prices and the difference between 1000watt subs and 500 watt subs wasn't much (the 500 actually more expensive) but after thinking about it now I think it would be better to go with like 2 300 watt subs with built in amps... I don't have the cash to spend on a big system just to power the damn thing. So now after regrouping in my mind I am thinking about 1000watts max for extras (still kinda too much). And remember this is just thinking I don't even have a car yet EDIT - Humm maybe just 1 250w 10" would do it? Also how important are rear speakers? I have never taken the time to pay attention to car audio so I don't know what a car with no rear speakers would sound like... Soo without rear speakers I have 250watt - Sub 100watt - Front Right speaker 100watt - Front left speaker 150watt - Computer max load 600watt - Total MAX extras load Sounds much better.
Ah ha, now the truth is coming out. Tell the judge to bring in the jury. Amazing what a little knowledge will do to reality. Like Paul Harvey says, " now you know the rest of the story". Take care.
In the past what I have done is just got better alt. I would get another battery so you have 2 hooked up. Not any cheap ones. Another question. Are you going to run your high's off the amp or head unit? Like everyone else said too though get a cap will sound better in a way and won't be flashing your head lights. If you go to any Sub web site depending on what brand you are getting they show you the best way to hook up your subs. When I had my expedition I just ran 0g from battery to a spliter with fuses to everything. I had 2 800wt speakers with 2000watt amp then had 6 highs and my lights didn't dim at all. but its alwasy SUV
Amp... there isn't really a head unit (computer controled sound, doesn't put out much wattage in sound). I think I need to figure out the best placement of speakers. I woulden't be sure on how to install a cap without reading a how-to on it. Anyone know of any sites that have general speaker setup and powering? EDIT - Hehe... wonder the price on this thing. http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2004/07/6GAlternator/index.shtml Anyone know where I could buy that and if it would even fit on a maverick? I mean it should... made for mustangs and the maverick would have a 302 in it like a mustang...
Give Rick Harmon a call at PA-Performance he can set you up with a 3rd Generation alternator that will put out 100 Amps at idle and 200 Amps max. I put one on my car and it works great. You will likely need to convert to serpentine belts to prevent belt squeal. http://www.pa-performance.com/ 1-877-471-8010
