How much power can I use?

[Milton]

I've got an 2003 XLS and I'd like to know what's the most powerful amp, in watts, i can use without having to change or add something like battery or alternator?

Many guys in here just say they have 2 or 3 amps with hundreds of watts, and thats ok, I just like to know what else u had to change to give that amps the power they need, or if you are having problems when start the truck.

I think an Explorer have a 130Amps alternator, but i dont think i can use it all for my amps.

Oh, and by the way, do all Explorers have the same speake rsize of 6x8"? because many threads are about this and i think it's always the same answer, if not what size does my 2003 has ?

Sorry for the noobs questions, ... and my ugly english.

 

[DOZIER]

Yours should also have 6x8's. You could go about maybe 1000 watts and be ok without an upgrade on the alternator or an extra battery. You will need a capacitor after about maybe 300 watts. I had about a 300 watt ample mono amplifier on two JL Audio 12 w-1's a few years ago and I have a 2001 Sport and it made my headlights dim at night. I purchased an SWX digital capacitor seen in the link below for a relatively cheap price and it did awesome and my headlights never dimmed again.
http://mitekfactoryoutlet.com/products/brand.cfm?detail=ok&brand=13&PN=CAP1D&colorid=0
you can get them for far less than on this link. just look for it. probably around 80 dollars.

And welcome to the site!

 

[Supergumby5000]

hmm, i got two alpine type-R subs and two MRD-M605 amps going in my explorer. this going to require some capacitors/aux battery? subs are 500watt RMS and 1500watt max......glad i saw this post hehe.....

 

[Aero540T]

First off never look at max ratings they are basically useless...the RMS wattage is all that matters.
I used a cap in my last car and it didn't do anything, and I hear that quite often. If you upgrade anything, first do the Big 3 under the hood in at least 4 gauge wire. If that's not helping, I'd go for a HO alternator, and then a better battery.
I'm running 2000 watts RMS right now and getting a little headlight dim and that's it. I'll be adding about 450 watts RMS more for my front stage later once things come in. The only upgrade I've done is the battery negative to chassis I did in 0 gauge, also I'm using 0 gauge for my power/grounds as well.

 

[DOZIER]

Well when I had my six twelves in my truck a few months ago, I was running around 3,000 watts and I had an SWX digital capacitor. I ran 1/0 ga all the way to the back. I did not do the big three. I also had an optima yellow top. I had no problems. But I had the capacitor since I had the two jl twelves because the headlights were dimming.

 

[davesexplorer]

I haven't touched my alternator yet, have a kinetik monster up front, big3, dual runs of pos/neg 1/0 wire to the rear running a Hifonics Goliath 1ch @ .5 before impedance rise(5000+w), MA HK398 @ 4 ohms per channel(~300w) and a MA HK597 4ch 4 ohms per channel(~650w). I'm fine daily driving, but if I want to go nuts- voltage can and will drop on me... around 10v.

It's all in how you're goin to use your stereo. I always start with a battery when I get a new vehicle simply because a new high output alt is $$$, and a big ol batt can hold me over till then.

I dont use caps though, stupid things never helped me... other than for cosmetic reasons.

 

[Supergumby5000]

The big3? maybe i should read up a little more on this not sure what that is/means. Getting a new battery was already on my list of things to do. how much $$ will a HO alternator run me? Where can i read up on this big3?

I hope im not stealing someones post btw.....

 

[DOZIER]

a 240 amp alt. is running me for 375.