High Output Alternator Source? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

DouglasABaker · 20th June 2007, 02:31

Has anyone found any upgraded alternators for our beasts? I'd like something in the 180A range but can only find stock replacements...

I'm in the process of upgrading my vehicles audio system but am a bit concerned about the alternator. I'm not putting in anything outrageous, but let's face it, 120 amps just doesn't go very far with all the electronics in our vehicles. Let alone a decent sound system -- a 4x75 amp for the mids/highs + 250x1 for the subs will draw 40-50 amps on their own!

Thanks!

D-

rdm190 · 20th June 2007, 02:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by DouglasABaker

Has anyone found any upgraded alternators for our beasts? I'd like something in the 180A range but can only find stock replacements...

I'm in the process of upgrading my vehicles audio system but am a bit concerned about the alternator. I'm not putting in anything outrageous, but let's face it, 120 amps just doesn't go very far with all the electronics in our vehicles. Let alone a decent sound system -- a 4x75 amp for the mids/highs + 250x1 for the subs will draw 40-50 amps on their own!

Thanks!

D-

I had a 500x1 and a 300x4 in my Audi S4 with no issues whatsoever. I can't see the power systems being that different between the two cars.

I couldn't get the lights to dim, even with the biggest bass hits.

-Ryan

DouglasABaker · 20th June 2007, 03:16

Ryan -

That's a lot of power: 500 + 4x300 = 1700 watts. 1700 watts / 14 volts = 120 amps.

You should definitely have dimmed the lights using 120 amps for your stereo. 300 watts to a set of mids/highs as a whole heck of a lot. What types of amps did you have?

d-

rdm190 · 20th June 2007, 04:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by DouglasABaker

Ryan -

That's a lot of power: 500 + 4x300 = 1700 watts. 1700 watts / 14 volts = 120 amps.

You should definitely have dimmed the lights using 120 amps for your stereo. 300 watts to a set of mids/highs as a whole heck of a lot. What types of amps did you have?

d-

JL 300x4 to 2 sets of JL XR Components (front and rear)

JL 500x1 powering a JL W7 8'' Sub

I swear I could never even see enough drop in voltage to even dim the cabin lights noticably. Maybe the Audi had some high output alt that I was unaware of?

-Ryan

DouglasABaker · 20th June 2007, 05:41

Thanks Ryan!

A JL 300/4 and a 500/1, right? That would draw about (it was what I had bought originally before I decided to go with MTX) 65A at max.

Thanks for the feedback - the S4 has a slightly smaller alt, so hopefully an upgrade won't be necessary...

Very nice setup, btw - did you find that a single 8" was enough and what did you use for an enclosure (sealed, ported, bandpass, free air)?

d-

rdm190 · 20th June 2007, 05:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by DouglasABaker

Thanks Ryan!

A JL 300/4 and a 500/1, right? That would draw about (it was what I had bought originally before I decided to go with MTX) 65A at max.

Thanks for the feedback - the S4 has a slightly smaller alt, so hopefully an upgrade won't be necessary...

Very nice setup, btw - did you find that a single 8" was enough and what did you use for an enclosure (sealed, ported, bandpass, free air)?

d-

My single 8'' was in a sealed (JL W7's should only be used in sealed boxes, even thought they can be used open) fiberglass box. The JL W7's, as the box says, is capable of warping space and time. The problem was the sound deadening on my rear seats killed a lot of the sound. The 8'' does not have the deep thumping base of a 12 or even a 10, but that is not the kind of music I listen to. Put on some good alternative music or some rock and the 8'' will rattle the fillings out of your teeth.

My single 8'' W7 was louder (note: not deeper) then most people I knew with 12'' setups with a lesser speaker.

-Ryan

6spd · 20th June 2007, 08:44

The 540iT uses a watercooled 150amp

DouglasABaker · 20th June 2007, 15:16

Can it be retrofit to an M5? Watercooled implies the need for a connection to the radiator...

d-

6spd · 20th June 2007, 22:46

Yes they connect to the cool system, I don't know if they swap on mounting points. I have never seen the watercooled, I would ask a rebuilder if any of the parts are interchangeable between the two(Windings and Reg).