Holy Power Drain!!!!

I have an 89 XLT with a 5.0l engine.It has the stock alternator and can't seem to keep up with the demands of my system.I have a Sony Cd player,Polk audio 6.5's in the door kenwood(soon to be polk also)6x9's in the rear behind the seats and a pair of 12" Polk audio subs.I'm running the 6.5's and 6x9's on the head unit for now.But I plan to add a
four channel Audiobahn amp to match the two channel I have powering the subs.What can I do to beef up my charging system which is getting beaten up already???? any help is appreciated.

The only problem is that the Polks' and Kenwoods' power is way too much for your cd player. The Sony can only push 30x4 (truly anyway), and the speakers are good for 100 rms easy each. Use a good 4 gauge power wire to hook that amp up, and I'm sure you'll notice a difference.

If that doesn't work, go to a electric supply store, and ask them for a capacitor. Find a nice one...streetwires....P.G. ...whatever. Print the specs and a pic and take it to the electric store. You will find them normally at an 80% discount or such.

After that, I'd have the electric system INSPECTED before purchasing anything.....

take care

Wade

Quote:

I have an 89 XLT with a 5.0l engine.It has the stock alternator and can't seem to keep up with the demands of my system.I have a Sony Cd player,Polk audio 6.5's in the door kenwood(soon to be polk also)6x9's in the rear behind the seats and a pair of 12" Polk audio subs.I'm running the 6.5's and 6x9's on the head unit for now.But I plan to add a four channel Audiobahn amp to match the two channel I have powering the subs.What can I do to beef up my charging system which is getting beaten up already???? any help is appreciated.

Chris,

Summit Racing (http://www.summitracing.com) should carry higher amperage alternators for your 5.0. Just keep the bracket/hardware so that you can mount the new one. I believe '89 F150s came with either a 40 or 60 amp alternator. You should be able to find an 80-120 amp alternator.

I would upgrade the alternator before adding capaciters or anything else to your stereo. You're going to wear out the stock alternator and then you won't be able to drive your vehicle because the battery will keep dying.

Do you have stock battery or have you changed it?
It doesn´t matter how big alternator you have (or will get) if you don´t have a battery that can accumulate the input. The bigger battery the more juice you can put int to it (and out)...
For starters you can make a negative cable running from the alt to the batt to shorten the way for the power, and reduce any unwanted losses...
Best of luck to you!