I have been doing a lot of modifications to my CR-V recently, mostly power-hungry upgrades like stereo equipment and lighting. So far I have already added an 800 watt subwoofer and a pair of 55 watt fog lights. This weekend I am installing a Westin Safari Light Bar with another pair of 55 watt driving lights. I also plan to add another pair of 100+ watt off-road lights to the roof or onto the light bar (I drive a lot at night, usually in crap-tastic weather ). I feel that I am reaching (or already exceeded...) the maximum output of the stock alternator, which I believe to be around 100 amps.

Anybody with a ridiculous amounts of lighting or a crazy stereo system that can chime in on max power output, or even about adding additional batteries/aftermarket alternators?

 

I have 2600 watts Of stereo and 35 watt HIDS. I run a second battery (800 CCA) and i still get a lot of dash dimming (hids don't dim due to their design). I think the stock alternator is 90 amps and my sub amp uses that on its own lol. I'm thinking of running a second alternator where the ac pump is. I'm sure you will be fine. Lights don't add nearly the same stress that an amp does. Add another battery If you want.

 

While subs put more stress on the battery/alternator, it isn't a constant draw like lights are. Eventually I am going to hit my 90-100 amp limit, especially when driving on hot summer nights with max AC . Good information about putting a second alternator near the AC pump. Certainly a cheaper option than a custom high output alternator...

 

As i said, my sub amp alone draws 90 amps.

 

Yeah of course, you are rocking 2600 watts! I guess I will have to do the math on the lights (wattage / voltage) and think about additional batteries/alternators when I hit around the 90 amp limit.

Do you have a higher capacity battery? Because if the alternator is using all its power to blast tunes, the battery has to run the other electrical components like headlights, which would drain a normal battery fairly quickly without constant charging.

 

Yeah a larger battery may be needed. The easiest way is to use a multimeter with an amp clamp, turn everything on and see how many amps are being used. The biggest issue for a larger battery is there isn't really room. My second battery sits between my front seats and that's "bad" due to off gasses thr battery gives off when charged/discharged. A gel cell like an optima would be the best option as it doesn't off gas.

 

As much as dOing the math makes sense, it doesn't for 2 reasons. You don't know what your existing load is and you can't count in the resistance in the lines and connections.

 

His amp may say X amounts of watts but that means absolutely nothing. I have a custom 270a Dc power alt on my 99 crv, along with 2 g31 Dekas and a g34r deka in front. That is powering 2 2200's which are both strapped on 1 18, I also have a 1000w amp running the door speakers. If anyone has any questions regaurding the crv's and stereo, feel free to pm me. I have dont ALOT of work stereo wise to my car and can def give you some good advise on stereo equiptment itself.

 

I dont want to contradict what you are saying, obviously you know a little bit if you know enough to clamp the amp, but its easier to go off of amp fusing on the amp itself. But my main point is optimas are a complete waste of money actually, not a good battery for the money and not a very big batt. Like I said I have 3 batts in my V, if anyone wants pics Id be more than happy to post them up.

 

my sub amp is only rated for 1000 watts, but peak output is actually 2000 (tested). My speaker amp is rated for 600 watts, but im sure it only puts out a fraction of that.

 

Where did you get the high-output alt? Is it a custom build? Did you retrofit another engine's alt? I have done some searching and haven't really found a legitimate aftermarket alt for the CR-V.

BTW I am more concerned about the lights then the audio equipment. Kinda threw the sub in because the stock speakers weren't cutting it...

 

The alt is from Dc Power Engineering, but when you see the price you probably wont like it lol. They are serious business and you gotta pay to play. Honestly you would need a hell of a lot of lights to justify getting an aftermarket alt lol. but if you do feel the need and plan on maybe upgrading audio in the future an alt would be a good idea. Dc is pretty much the best in the business but there are also some other companies such as Excessive alternators and Tenney alternators that make them for our gen 1's. Both have a pretty good reputation and are direct fit. The DC was direct fit although I had to modify the alt bracket slightly because the Dc's custom machine the alt casings out of aluminium and are larger alts.

 

It is hard to do research on these companies as most of the people they are marketing too are the competition stereo crowd and do business through the forums.

 

Lol those are some nice (and expensive! ) alts! Damn with an alt like that I could light up AND rattle the hell out of the entire neighborhood. Too bad that doest fit too well with my current budget .

Someday...

 

mechman also makes alternators for the b20. I was talking to him via email last week actually. These are the prices/alternators that i got.

170 amp
300 rpm turn on
500 rpm - 120 amps
800 rpm - 150 amp
1200 rpm – 170 amps
$449

240 amp
500 rpm turn on
650 rpm - 100 amps
800 rpm - 140 amps
1500 rpm - 240 amps
$549

 

Yep mechman has them too. I just didnt mention them because they are close in price to the price of the Dc's and I have seen more than a few problems with the mechmans in general. You really dont ever hear about problems with Dc's, damn things are bulletproof.

 

steve meade runs mechman alternators, if that counts for anything.

 

Honestly hell no, most people in the car audio community think Meade is a complete Dbag. All the youtube kids think he has the loudest car in the world LOL. I know a **** load of people with much louder cars. Not to mention his website is all about being biased, and 99% of the people giving advice are kids that dont know a damn thing. Plus meade prob gets those alts free and doesnt really have to worry about replacing them.

 

I think everyone can agree that he is a douche bag.

 

Sweet we agreed on something lol

 

lol

 

i got some questions for my 1997 crv i got way more power than what your running hit me back

 

Yes Please! The pictures...