should i or should i not have system

[kevxr2002]

hey guys I have a audio system in my car ccurrently and thinking that i may need to remove it.

first I have two Cadence 15" subs and a Cadence 2300W competition amp. Now I cant give u specific models due to the fact they dont sell them anymore and honestly i dont remeber. I have pics in the post your audio thread.

I have had them in the car for 5 years. I have changed the alternator one time about 2.5 years ago and now this week. Is this normal life span? Should I have anything along with the system to take any stress off the alt?

I realize this maybe hard to answer without know all the specs on the audio equipment but any sugguestion would be nice.

[Honzo]

do you have a cap?

[burton160w]

Yea with that much wattage you should definitely have a cap on it. There shouldn't be really a need to remove it (audio is the most important necessity in a car). Don't go for the cheap $30 Walmart junker, plan to spend at least $100 for a quality one.

2.5 years for an alternator isn't horrendous. Actually, if it takes that long, I wouldn't worry too much that it's your subs putting too much strain on it. Especially in our cars, where the alt is notorious for going. I just recently replaced mine actually.

But in short - no. That's stupid. Without subs your car won't be able to start, and if it does start you're going to look ridiculous down the street with all your bass-less audio.

[Comando489]

a cap. is only a bandaid fix. it probably will not solve much IMO

[iceberg65]

2.5 years isnt that bad a cap wouldt really take strain off the alt. Look into the big 3 wiring upgrade and see if that helps. you can also look into having the stock alt rebuilt to give more output.

[Honzo]

well i was going to say if he does to throw it in the trash... according to E1, the best configuration leaves the cap in the trash

[kpeeks]

Power Accoustik sells a battery/cap combo thing strictly for the audio system. Might check it out.

[MOMO]

i seriously doubt that amp is pushing 2300 watts but im sure its pushing our alt to the limit.

Best solution would be, a rewound or H O alternator (there are several choices available to you... you just have to search) and an isolator set up or a dual battery set up with a big three upgrade for our wiring system. (also do a search... or it may be stickied somewhere.)

[kevxr2002]

Originally Posted by burton160w

Yea with that much wattage you should definitely have a cap on it. There shouldn't be really a need to remove it (audio is the most important necessity in a car). Don't go for the cheap $30 Walmart junker, plan to spend at least $100 for a quality one.

2.5 years for an alternator isn't horrendous. Actually, if it takes that long, I wouldn't worry too much that it's your subs putting too much strain on it. Especially in our cars, where the alt is notorious for going. I just recently replaced mine actually.

But in short - no. That's stupid. Without subs your car won't be able to start, and if it does start you're going to look ridiculous down the street with all your bass-less audio.

yes I hate looking ridiculous after looking so awesome with my bump for so long.

[bgred619]

if its the chrome series cadence amp then my vote would be to rip it all out and send me the amp. i loved that series of cadence amps but some1 decided to break into my car and take them all away from me. and there kinda hard to come by now.