I've narrowed my choice down to these choices.

Mechman 270

DC Power 270 XP

I was wondering if the extra 35-40 amps at idle is worth the extra $150. I'm only running one AQ2200D, and I don't have an endless pile of money. I'm almost certain what the responses will be, so I think I'm leaning towards the Mechman.

Let me know!

Have you looked into the SP and HP lines from DC Power? You could probably get away with one of those along with your extra battery.

I know if it was me I'd purchase a DC product, but there seems to be a fair amount of people having issues with them.

Try doing some research on google between the companies products and see what others have to say from experience. (and obviously others can comment in here)

I can say: my dc alternator worked wonderfully, it made a ton of amperage at idle, driving down the road, anywhere and everywhere. It bolted right up, didn't have any issues. But DC Power is extremely busy and often times hard to get in contact with.

I run a DC Power and love it, my brother uses DC Power as well and is quite pleased. Idle amperage will be important if you plan to listen to your system while stationary, especially if you decide to strap 2 AQ 2200ds. Idle amperage also helps in the lanes if you plan to compete any. DC Power offers a 2 year warranty compared to Mechman's 1 year. If you're on a tight budget, as Stefan pointed out, the SP and HP series from DC are good choices as well.

Don't let a few negative threads steer you away from DC. Mark and Arron let them have vendor space here for a reason.

Thanks for the replies, guys. Does anybody have any experience with DC's SP line? I could afford the 270 XP, but as you can imagine $450 is a lot better than $600 for a person with no income. I put a thread up on DC's page about the differences between the XP and SP lines, which can be found here. The only problem is the most obvious thing, the price...

Let me know your opinions guys.

If you plan on upgrading amps or strapping another down the road then I'd definitely go with the biggest one you can afford.

If you have no intentions of upgrading to a bigger amp(s) and just using that aq2200 and front stage amp, then the lower line alts from DC and your extra batteries in the rear should do well.

Mainly just comes down to how much you really want to spend

Anyone that asks how much I spent on my alt laughs and talks about how outrageous that is, but it takes power to make power and there isn't any fairy dust I've found that magically makes power.

I've been to shows where others had aftermarket high output alts and their voltage at idle was terrible, worse then stock, Alts made mechanical noise, induced noise into the stereo system, and just didn't make any power close to their rated output.

But I can happily say that I never had any issues with my dc xp, voltage drop was a thing of the past, and when I did need help with wiring the alt I called DC and Rob walked me through everything.

Just my two cents.

X2 on everything Stefan said.

I have nothing but great things to say about DC Power and all of their staff, Rob, Kyle and Stan are always extremely nice, very helpful and have always taken real good care of me. I can't wait to order and install more of their units. (unless it's another Caliber, that thing is a Bish to get to)

Both are good alt. Bat and charger is where you spend the hard earned cash! Cause from my reading the alt only maintain your batts. Not charge it. Just something to think about.

Both are good alt. Bat and charger is where you spend the hard earned cash! Cause from my reading the alt only maintain your batts. Not charge it. Just something to think about.

It's all expensive, we didn't choose a cheap hobby here Mason is right about the alternator being a maintainer and not a charger, a quality battery charger is a must.

Thanks for the replies fellas, I think I just may go with the 270 XP. I'll sleep on it and see how I feel tomorrow... If I do end up getting another vehicle and strapping 2 AQ2200s, it would be the same engine, so I wouldn't have to get it re-cased or anything like that. We'll see...

Edited June 28, 201114 yr by burko

Just a Suggestion here ...

I went to the local auto parts store and bought a GM Delco alternator for the same year model as our truck, but a 3500 series with the 454 ... same bolt pattern and location ... but a 140 amp alternator instead of the stock 80 amp ...

I am charging 2 battteries up front and 3 Alpha Gel Cells in the battert bank in the bed ... Going on 2 1/2 years with NO problems and minimal times on the battery charger (only nights before shows/events) and sometimes I forget to do that.

Hope this helps some ...

Again, just a suggestion ...

You wont have a problem with a mechman alt either. They are very solid alts that produce goad idle voltage and kick in max amperage's at low rpm's. The only difference I can say that is good about mechman is the adjustable voltage boost module that they are sending out with most of the alt's they are selling lets you control the charging voltage better if your car can use that they offer it. Both companies are good flip a coin

Edited June 28, 201114 yr by crunkjuice1

I believe I've made a decision. I finished the big 3 tonight, and one of the bolts on my original battery was too short, so we had to improvise and use a metal furniture foot thing that happened to have the same thread size (lol it looks so stupid). Due to this weird setup, the wire that goes to my D1200 from that battery is not making proper contact; I've got a volt meter connected to this secondary battery, and it's sitting at 12.7 with the truck running. So we will make a Home Depot run tomorrow to get a proper bolt. When we do this, I'll give it a test run and if my voltage is still dipping, I'm going to order the DC 270 XP. My reasoning is the fact that I might strap 2 AQ2200Ds in the future and get another BTL and wall off my truck ( ), so I would have to get an alt that could handle the extra load at that point anyway. I'll update tomorrow and tell you guys what the deal is.

I believe I've made a decision. I finished the big 3 tonight, and one of the bolts on my original battery was too short, so we had to improvise and use a metal furniture foot thing that happened to have the same thread size (lol it looks so stupid). Due to this weird setup, the wire that goes to my D1200 from that battery is not making proper contact; I've got a volt meter connected to this secondary battery, and it's sitting at 12.7 with the truck running. So we will make a Home Depot run tomorrow to get a proper bolt. When we do this, I'll give it a test run and if my voltage is still dipping, I'm going to order the DC 270 XP. My reasoning is the fact that I might strap 2 AQ2200Ds in the future and get another BTL and wall off my truck ( ), so I would have to get an alt that could handle the extra load at that point anyway. I'll update tomorrow and tell you guys what the deal is.

There is a three week delay for alts from DC BTW. I am in the same situation and in need for a new alt. Most likely wait a week and call back and place my order.

I believe I've made a decision. I finished the big 3 tonight, and one of the bolts on my original battery was too short, so we had to improvise and use a metal furniture foot thing that happened to have the same thread size (lol it looks so stupid). Due to this weird setup, the wire that goes to my D1200 from that battery is not making proper contact; I've got a volt meter connected to this secondary battery, and it's sitting at 12.7 with the truck running. So we will make a Home Depot run tomorrow to get a proper bolt. When we do this, I'll give it a test run and if my voltage is still dipping, I'm going to order the DC 270 XP. My reasoning is the fact that I might strap 2 AQ2200Ds in the future and get another BTL and wall off my truck ( ), so I would have to get an alt that could handle the extra load at that point anyway. I'll update tomorrow and tell you guys what the deal is.

There is a three week delay for alts from DC BTW. I am in the same situation and in need for a new alt. Most likely wait a week and call back and place my order.

That sucks

But I'm willing to wait.

I can have a 270 out the door shipping to you in 2 days or less.

We will have our vendor space set up here as soon as we have the time, we have been busy building alternators and have not had the time to get established with Mark over here. That's happening this week, look for it.