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How much electricity do you need to upgrade your car’s audio system?

My friend drives a Ford Mustang, and the other day he let me take it for a spin _on my own_! The stereo system was so on point, that it got me thinking about what kind of upgrade I could do to my own car. I don’t really know where to start, but how much electricity would you say is needed to take my car’s audio to the next level?

avatar
Elaine Duvet · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Your friend sounds pretty cool! Not only is he a rockstar on the road, but #sharingiscaring. There are multiple ways you can improve the quality and experience of your car’s sound system.
Here’s what we know about how much electricity it takes to upgrade your car audio:
  • Adding a high-power amplifier can deliver lots of energy to high-power subwoofers. At about 13.8 volts, these types of amplifiers can use around 100 amps of current.
  • Keep in mind that just using your car’s AC and headlights while the engine is running can use up 30-40 amps of power alone. And if your alternator can only produce up to 80 amps, there’ll be only 10 amps left for your stereo. That’s not enough.
  • If you’ve got a system with less than 1,000 watts RMS of output, it’s rare that you’d need to upgrade the car’s electrical system.
You can also upgrade to a higher output alternator. After all, it’s the ultimate source of your car’s power. Typically, your standard alternator lives in the 80-120 ampere range and can only use about half of its power for amplifiers. Look for a 250-300 ampere aftermarket high output alternator that can handle the systems in your car as well as a high-powered stereo.
While we do recommend
consulting a professional mechanic
before upgrading your vehicle’s electrical system, now you have a better idea of how to rock out on the road.
We also recommend not overpaying for car insurance every month. If you want cheap car insurance quotes fast, get the
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