hello I just have a question for you guys I have a 400 watt sound system in my truck and I have the oem 95 amp alternator and my lights are flickering when it hits a low note which I knew would happen but im about to put a set of KC's and a set of ridged industries lights on the front of my truck and I wanted to upgrade my alternator my only options that I can find is a 130 amp or a 200 I have a 650 cca motor craft battery I don't want to over charge my battery and I also need to install my power cell I have for my sound system but what would you guys suggest that I do?

 

I dont believe you will 'overcharge your battery'

I would suggest the 130amp and then a red or yellow top with a higher CCA than your factory battery. Also what cable sizes do you have to your batteries? Stock? If so you might want to look into upgrading them.

 

I honestly don't know what size cables I have but about a week ago I bought a 650 cca motor craft battery I work at a ford dealership and couldn't pass up the good deal I got and the 100 month warranty I got with it

 

thats fine, an alternator will help your situation but i dont think it will fix it.

 

Also, too much amperage from the alternator will not overcharge your battery, an alternator only charges when current is needed (unless it is bad), so get the largest one that fits and you can afford.

If you do change the alternator, don’t forget you need larger cabling from the alternator to battery and a new larger grounding system all based on the alternator output amperage.
A new power wire to the starter via the solenoid and a new but extra ground wire from the starter mounting bolt to the battery.
The new wiring for the starter reduces the work the starter has to do getting power and looking for a ground to return the current to the battery, lets the starter run better and last longer.

 

If you don't think that an altinator will fix the ptoblem do you have an suggestions? And should I upgrade kt to like 4 gage wire?

 

The alternator will help.

Two batteries or an even larger single battery will help too.

What about a Capacitor on the power feed for the amp to handle the big booms.

 

I did some looking and found out that the 4.0 actually came with a 130 amp alternator and also 4 gage wire so I will upgrade to 2 gage wire and I do have a power cell for the big booms im just waiting on my truck to get out of the shop im getting the head gaskets done on it

 

New to me!


If manual transmission, it should have a 95amp alternator. If automatic, it should have a 105amp alternator. Explorers regardless of engine came with a 130amp alternator. The stock wiring should be 8ga, not 4ga. 4 is fairly large for a stock discount vehicle like a Ranger.