I was hoping someone with a bumpin stereo and a couple of driving/offroad lights could help me out. I am going to put a single 10 inch sub in my xj with a 500w amp. Down the road, I will add 2 driving lights. Who knows what else may be added: gps, cb, more lights........
Is this too much for the stock alternator?
What's the best replacement for stock?
If I went with a 160 amp, I really only need to run a few wires to upgrade the wiring, correct?
I want a clean, offroad capable rig. I don't mind the thump of a stereo but I don't want my lights dimming everytime the bass thumps.
Thanks -- hard to find in search I searched like "alternator stereo driving lights" - didn't know what to search for... Hopefully, one of ya'll can help. Thanks in advance.

 

i have a 950 watt amp hooked to all my door speakers and a 10 inch sub. i also have two 100 watt lights that used to be on my desert bike. the guy used it for racing in the desert and had to have bright lights. the stereo is very loud and the alternator seems to keep up with everything. you should be just fine.

 

I have a 2400 watt fosgate amp pushing my subs and a 480 amp pushing 6 speakers and 2 130 watt lights with no problem but i do have a 6 farad capacitor holding up the amps. but barely a noticeable flicker. you should be all set with a 500w amp. Find a cheapo capacitor if you see a power drain i bought a Kole capacitor and love it only 120ish bucks

Edit: http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp~TID~73496~PN~1
a good read on a cheaper upgrade

 

i have winch, lights, and sub. no problems...

 

I have 2 12" subs with 500 amp and a set of fog lights on the front. They rarely fade with the bass.

 

I have an amp that is capable of 400rms for my 12" sub and 1200watt amp for my 4 speakers,35wwatt HID's,and 2 100watt offroad lights no problem either my alternator is rated at 117amps.

 

Man, my set-up must be pushing more power than I thought. I have dual 12" cadence wild beasts (700w rms 1400w peak a piece) with a cadence 1200w amp with capacitor (forget what size). I no longer have them in my jeep but when I did, my lights would dim horribly, same thing in my truck I have them in now.

 

i got 2 kicker cvr 10's and a 1200 watt hyphonix amp. it dims the lights and the battery gauge jumps up and down but everything works fine

 

with my 2 10" Rockford sub's in a box with my 1200 watt Sony amp going my gauge moves a little but lights don't really dim. My lights actually dim when I first turn on my stock heated rear window though.

 

I have a 1000.1 jl amp and in the summer running the air and the subs at the same time is not a good idea it fried my alternator but i got a capititor and now it seems fine but i am going with a 160 amp alternator or mayber a 220

 

One good amp is more than the Cherokee can handle.

More important than watts is the current the amp draws. I've had single amps that would turn the truck off.

 

I have a 1000 watt Kenwood amp pushing 2 12" Infinity subs. When I turn it up really loud and have the door open, the overhead lights dim a little bit. Don't notice anything dimming or gauges moving while driving.

 

That's what I needed to know -- thanks..

Any advice on a good battery to cap things off? I can tell when it's cold mine ain't cranking so well anymore...

 

Odyssey.