Expert: Cleggsan - 1/18/2012

Question
I have a 2006 dodge stratus. I want to install a mtx thunder 5601 amp pushing two apline type r 12s and a alpine MRX-F30 - 4-Channel 600 Watt Max Speaker Amplifier running 2 6 1/2 type r speakers in the front along with 2 type r 6*9 speakers in the back. Is that going to be to much of a load on the electrical system and if it is what can i do so that it does not create any problems and still use the equipment i have?

Answer
The MTX thunder will draw around 300w off the battery system when pushing near maximum power output to the speaker system.  The Alpine will be drawing around 200w if all 4 channels are being driven to full audio output.

Therefore, you will, under full drive, be drawing a total of 500w which will amount to about 42 amps.  Your 2006 dodge stratus is rated - I believe, based on generic information from the net - is an 85 amp capacity.  The other circuits draw heavily from the the battery/alternator when the engine is running and the lights are on, too.  The night time lighting system in the car will draw at least 20 - 30 amps but much more for braking, air conditioning, etc.  Here is a chart that will give you and idea of what the accessories draw:

http://www.procarcare.com/includes/content/resourcecenter/encyclopedia/ch11/11fi

Of course many of these accessories are operating only for a second or two, like the brake lights or the turn flashers.

Finally, the characteristic of music is such that the average power being pulled from the battery is much less even when the amps are being drive to clipping; it is the nature of the music material.  It measures out that typical rock type music when driven to full clipping power of an amplifier is about 1/3 of full power.  Therefore, you can assume you might be drawing only around 10 - 15 amps.

However, this is still marginal.  When you get the system all installed and you crank up the audio to its max with the lights on just watch to see if the headlights are dimming with the music.  If so, you will need a high output alternator and probably a higher output battery.  If you are planning on keeping the music level reasonable or if you listen to "smooth" music you should be alright.......

Hope this make sense to you.  Let me know further if need be.

PS:  You might want to consider adding a power cap to the system which can smooth out the demand on the car system when lots of bass music is being played.  They cost much less than an alternator!  But, they won't add extra power - only smooth out the peaks and valleys of current during the music play time.