biggest amp for cb's?

[dbales]

What would be the biggest size amp (rms watts) that you could run in a CB7 without upgrading the alternator, adding a battery, etc?

[Jon]

It's not a science, just a bunch of math.

Take the amperage of the alternator and multiply it by 40% and you'll get the average reserve current capacity.

Multiply the number of channels by the watts per channel (the RMS rating).
Double that number to account for the inefficiency of the amplifier.
Divide by the average output voltage of the alternator (typically 13.5-13.8 volts).
Then divide that number by three (music typically only averages a third of the average power in a test tone).

And that will give you a ballpark estimate.

EXAMPLE:

Our alternators put out about 80 amps (some more, some less), so 80 x 40% = 32 amps <--- this is your key number

Say you get a four channel amp outputting 200 watts RMS a channel.
So that would be: 200 x 4 channels = 800
Double that number to account for inefficiency: 1600
Divide that number by alternator output: 1600 ÷13.5 = 118.52
Divide that number by three (average power needed for a test tone):
118.52 ÷ 3 = 39.50 amps
Your final number is 39.50 amps, compare that to the 32 amp reserve current capacity of the alternator.

Like I said its not an exact science, but you get a ballpark figure.

[sonikaccord]

lol. You can't beat numbers. I was going to say around 500w, but froot has a better answer.

[dbales]

So would a 2 channel amp putting out about 200-300 rms watts per channel be a safe way to go without killing the battery?

[sonikaccord]

Any system will kill the battery if the car isn't running. We're talking about running an amplifier without dimming your headlights at night.

[dbales]

Yeah I know it will kill the battery when the car isn't running because the alternator isn't recharging it, but I was just wondering if an amp that size would be okay without upgrading any of the electrical components and such.

[Roque]

Yeah I know it will kill the battery when the car isn't running because the alternator isn't recharging it, but I was just wondering if an amp that size would be okay without upgrading any of the electrical components and such.

ya if you do the math then ur amp rating is 24.69 on ur two channel amp running 250 watts per channel. so it should be fine to use.

[Accord214]

It all depends lol!

[Brandoncb7]

I know your question was "without" upgrading anything. But why not get a second battery or maybe just upgrade to an optima or something similar?

[Roque]

ya u could just go with a yelllow top or wait to fry ur alternator then buy a new one but its gona bee some money either way.

[Brandoncb7]

ya u could just go with a yelllow top or wait to fry ur alternator then buy a new one but its gona bee some money either way.

Hopefully this isn't you being a smartass to me. If I was unclear in my last post or maybe i'm taking what you wrote the long way i'll explain further. If he were to get an Optima battery and replace the one under the hood with it, it would help out tremendously. If he were to put a second battery in the trunk instead of replacing the other under the hood, and I think this is what you meant by burning up the alternator, they make a solenoid that tells the alternator which battery to charge at what time that way it never overworks itself and burns up. It was like 70 bucks for one from CKR a few years ago. I'd say buy a cap but they have never done me any good.

[Adan]

I think he should be ok..i don't think he's going to put a monster amp in his car big enough to dim his lights..and it's common sense if you are..atleast upgrade your batt..i have a Rockford Fasgate 1800 with the Epicenter and im good!

[da1prettyboii]

u can go as big as u want....just have the car on when u playin the music

[Brandoncb7]

u can go as big as u want....just have the car on when u playin the music

That's only if you are NOT moving. Driving down the road at night with a more than sufficient amount of stereo in the car and you will damn sure need more power. Hell I got pulled over for my shit dimming. Prattville cops are horrible but still. They thought my shit was unsafe at night. I personally would just upgrade and safe myself my the trouble later.

[90_ACCORD]

So would a 2 channel amp putting out about 200-300 rms watts per channel be a safe way to go without killing the battery?

lol. You can't beat numbers. I was going to say around 500w, but froot has a better answer.

you can go a whole lot higher than that