Alternator and power system questions

[Josh///M3]

I have an optima battery with a monitor and all that neat stuff. My question is whether my alternator will be able to handle the system i'm going to put in. I have xenons, and i'm going to be running around 1200 watts. What are my options? a lot of capacitors? a bigger alternator? Or should i just leave it alone and put a phoenix gold 15 farad capacitor block on it? :p

Thanx for your help guys,
Josh

[Rob Levinson]

Are you drawing 1200 watts <i>peak</i> or <i>continuously</i>?

If continuously... sheesh. Salada power. You would need an uprated alternator, not sure who could do that for you.

If it is just peak draw, the Optima might be able to handle it for you. The cap is a good idea anyway just so you don't get low power during these peak-draw moments.

- Rob Levinson
<a href="http://www.uucmotorwerks.com"><img border="0" src="http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/pics/uuclogo_small.gif"></a>

[Josh///M3]

That ain't peak, thats RMS. I'm going to keep the gain down, but i don't wanna blow the whole system. Not definite yet, but thats the setup thats going in.

Have fun,
Josh

[fourfa]

there are larger alternators for other E36 models (110A on the biggest, if I recall correctly, and that's pretty big). Just get one from the auto parts store.