crest factor of typical pop/rock: 6-10 dB
efficiency of typical class D amp: 90% (best case scenario, 80% is more likely)
Voltage: 13.8v
Contour Alternator: 130A when functioning perfectly.
At first glance, it would be appear to be impossible that the factory system would have enough juice to power a 3000w amp:
I = P / E
Amperes = 3000w / 13.8v
Amps = 217A
But, that is not considering all the power wasted as heat.
3000w / .9% = 3333w, but more realistically, 3750w.
Now we are looking at even a more difficult load.
A=3750w/13.8v
A=271.7
Impossible you say?
Not really, assuming that clipping is not occuring, you are looking at an average of 300w with the amp running at full volume levels. 300w/13.8v = 21.7A or 27.2A when factoring in the efficiency.
So, with very conservative set up, and no clipping, the factory electrical system will easily handle the load caused by a 3000w amp. But, if you are playing test tones or heavily compressed music or test tones and clipping the amp to it's furthest extent, you can easily approach 1500w being produced on average. The factory system can NOT by any stretch, support the amplifier producing that power.
All that being said, is it possible that a less than surfboard sized amp can be a legitimate 3000w amp? Absolutely. Is it likely that this particular amp is anything more than a 1000w-1200w amp when bench tested? Not really.
