X2E

My alternator is from Mechman. It's rated around 370 amps at normal driving rpm (where I've never measured, but I'm sure it's a fairly accurate specification), and it measures around 275 amps at idle rpm. I noted 275 at idle because that's what matters, when you're running the AC at night with lights on and have your foot on the brake, which is exactly where most sound systems are starving for power. www.mechman.com They build a pretty efficient low-drag setup with quite high output. It wasn't a direct replacement, but not too difficult to achieve. It's cranking out some serious amperage, but I haven't noticed it affecting the overall performance of the vehicle at all... For me, and since I'm running some large diodes and a couple of XS Power batteries, this charging system should be more than adequate for a 2000+ watt system (or 4000 watts, for that matter) in any mode of operation, as long as the engine is running.

Hi PrinzII... Sorry for the delay in response, I've been traveling a lot... I have no capacitors (capacitors are, IMO, nearly worthless in most cases and can even be a severe detriment if you don't have the alternator output to keep them charged and waiting for very short term high current demands in addition to feeding the mean amperage demands of the system). If you cannot feed the mean amperage requirements of the system with your charging setup, no amount of caps or other power buffering gimmicks will make your situation any better, and quite possibly much worse. What I do have is a large alternator (275 amps or so at 14.6 volts-roughly-available at idle rpm) and a couple of XS Power batteries to buffer short duration peak amperage demands. (I suppose a good rule-of-thumb is one of these per thousand watts?). I experience no dimming whatsoever even at night (at idle) with lights and A/C on, and with the sound system warping the rear hatch.

Since my last post here, I've removed the JL stealthbox and installed 4 10" JL10W3V3 woofers where my spare tire used to be (and then some)... Since I'm playing the odds, and I'm hoping that it's a good trade, and I believe it is, since my back is in no condition to allow me to perform a roadside tire-swap, and since I have about 5 different ways to cover roadside assistance, I don't feel too bad in doing this... On the audio side, my Edge is now of the status of "hammering". I've topped 140 Db SPL without taxing the system. In fact, I had to dial it back a bit since the "My Ford Touch" display seemed to get confused and blurry a bit with the SPL (it seemed to possibly be pushing everything on the screen at once), and whacked out the car's system to the point I had to reduce gains. My audio system is now more than my Edge can apparently handle. On the technical side (perhaps this deserves a new topic?) I am curious about whether it's possible to dissect the Sony audio head in my Edge and locate the DACs (digital-to-analog converters) and replace them with something else, like a pair of Wolfson converters? I've recently found that the Wolfson DACs used in reference recording and playback of so many of our most treasured tracks (I use them at home) are now much cheaper than they used to be, and damn, if I can feed the stock Sony's digital pickup feed into a pair of Wolfson DACs without a major rip-out, I'm all for it. Anyone?

I work in an industry where very tight clearances are common. Clearance is clearance, and .003" (about the thickness of a hair) is as good as a mile. If you can shove a pen in-between, you have at least 6mm (.2362" inches) of clearance there. Drive it.

If you're interested in some actual/factual results, I own a 2013 sport and I'm getting around 22-23 on the highway, and around 15 in city traffic.

This happened to me once, still can't figure out why... The "emergency slot" should pick up your paired chip in the smart key without any trouble and not leave you stranded... That darned owners manual is a pretty handy thing to have around if you ever happen to read it.

I'm not sure, but my suspicion is NO. The smaller displays in the SE/SEL models seem to tell you how you're doing on mileage, etc. and other trivial stuff... I doubt you can interface them with cameras... I think you would need something aftermarket or the touch system to make that work.

Well, I knew it wouldn't take long... I'm off on travel again next week. I'll take this opportunity to drop of my ride at the audio shop for a leisurely week of building and fitting my new sub enclosure which will hold 4 10" JLs, replacing the single 10" stealthbox (which will be up for sale, by the way). I'll probably spend a couple hours or so the following Saturday with the RTA and a laptop re-tuning the response curve, but I love that stuff...

I've been through this... and it's been a little bit painful, but not terribly so... I understand you have a Limited, but I own a Sport, and am not certain as to the degree of differences in alternator output, system integrations, etc., so my input might not be accurate on all counts. If you wish though, I would be happy to tell you how I worked around the Sync/My Ford Touch hurdles in getting a fairly respectable sound system. FWIW, (and this is my opinion) the stock front center channel and rear "D-pillar" "surround" in the Edge "premium sound" package are completely worthless. For that matter, EVERY speaker in that entire configuration could use a serious upgrade, but upgrading speakers alone won't make your Edge sound good. The D-pillar output is summed mono, and the center channel, well... just needs to be turned off, disconnected or trashed... trust me, I've studied the schematics. So YES, the center channel and D-pillars are worthless and not worthy of spending money on.

Actually, I had put a fairly large amp under the front passenger seat initially. It required removing some of the AC ducting for the back seat area, but it fit nicely.

I'm placing 4 10" JL audio W3V3-2 woofers in place of my spare tire. (My back is weak, and I can't imagine doing a roadside tire-change anyhow... besides, I have roadside coverage). I've been living with a stealthbox for a few months now, and a single 10" isn't cutting it for me.

Hello to all! I've recently found this forum and am looking forward to sharing my Edge experience with you all. I've been lurking for a while now, and currently own a 2013 Edge Sport. I am interested in performance and audio upgrades. I was competing as a member of the IASCA audio competition circuit for many years, and even Ford's best audio offering has been a huge disappointment for me. I have basically gutted the entire factory audio system (which I have hated from day one) save for the Sync and Touch systems already in place... putting something around 2000 watts of Audison amps accompanied by Dynaudio and JL drivers in it's place. If anyone here has any additional tips on making great audio in the Edge, I'm all ears!