2001 Eclipse RS. My brother used to have subwoofers in the car, but he told me that it "burned out the alternator." Can this happen? I have a 850 watt amplifier in the back along with a capacitor. It doesn't drain the car's battery, but he told me that the size of the eclipse's alternator is "too small" to support it ("a four-banger won't be able to handle it"). Supposedly, the alternator tries to make up for lack of power and eventually burns itself out, "costing you $800."

I don't know what to think, and a buddy of mine has a $150 12' Sub with a box ready if I want it. Will I end up spending $800, or is this just to make me not have subs in my car?

 

I have a 2000 Eclipse RS with an alpine deck and a dual channel 1600W amp (800x2) driving a 12" sub (4ohms).

No cap. No issues. ....Yet

 

You should be fine man. The capaciter will keep the amplifier from straining the alternator to much.

 

my brother says that he had to get a new alternator, for $500. Is this B.S. ? And how long have you had the subs in for?

 

$500 for an alternator is deffinitely bs.

 

even an aftermarket one shouldnt go more than 200

 

Even so, could it "kill" the alternator as he said?

 

I have a pair of 1500 Watt 15" subs, powered by a 2,600 Watt 2 channell amp. When I have it turned up it will dim my lights even though I have a 3 Farad Capacitor. Anything extra on your car causes your alternator to work harder, but an amp as low as that shouldn't be the cause of his so called "dead alternator" unless he drives around with his subs on full blast EVERYWHERE he goes with the volume cranked.