Is this bad?

**x-40oz-x** · 08-04-2006, 10:04 AM

OK the other day i bought a 10" sub and a 800watt amp, hooked them all up and everything is fine. I was just wondering how much more it's making my alternator work and how hard it is on the battery.
If i turn the keys to accesories with the car not running i can actually see my volts meter go down everytime the sub pounds. Is that bad?

**x-40oz-x** · 08-04-2006, 10:14 AM

oh yea, the engine is a 79 350sbc
and the battery was brand new in december.

**StangKiller615** · 08-04-2006, 11:07 AM

Do you have an upgraded alternator? and how many watts are pushing through your amp?

**StangKiller615** · 08-04-2006, 11:35 AM

With the key turned back and engine turned off you are drawing power from the battery. With the car turned on (engine running) you are drawing power from the alternator. I would not recommend running the stereo with the car turned off, as the battery will die quickly. You may want to look into upgrading your alternator to atleast a 160 amp alternator. Your stock alternator is already having a hard enough time powering the cars electrical system, this is the reason you will notice voltage loss and dimming lights. If your amp is pushing over 1,000 watts, then you may want to check out a 1 fared capacitor. Your best bet would be upgrading your alternator to one with more amps than your stock alternator.