headlights dimming

[93redbeast]

so my system is installed now, and if i have the volume up at a decent level, my headlights and tail-lights and everything dim whenever the bass hits? what can i do to fix this... would a secondary battery help?

 

[Alec]

You need a capacitor installed in the power lines to your amps, a new higher capacity alternator, or both. I don't think another battery will help unless you run your stereo with the truck off for extended periods of time.

 

[Magicfan25]

A cap costs approx $200, you can get a high output alternator for not much more. Personally I'll be gettin a high output alternator, probably wont need a cap then. Another battery is only good if you run just the system off it and you have to charge it all the time

 

[B94Sport]

With only 500 watts you should not be getting dimming... I'd get your alternator checked. What gauge wiring are you running for the amp's power and ground?

 

[93redbeast]

I'm running 4 gauge amp wiring and i believe 8 gauge ground. It was all installed at tweeter. It might be the alternator... the X is almost 10 years old. I was considering a cap as well, would i need to have it installed or could i do it myself? and could i get one online / what brands would people reccomend? also, where can i get a better alternator...

 

[Magicfan25]

I would just do a search for high output alternators. there were some good 200+ amp replacement alternators for $230 or so I think. I would go that route and then see if you still need a cap or not. I dont think you would with that much alternator

 

[B94Sport]

Get a high output alternator from http://www.mrlaternator.com.

I have the 200 amp one from them I and I love it.

If you current alternator is not able to keep the headlights from dimming, a cap is only going to help a little bit. You will still need a new alternator, and here is why:

Capacitors take time to charge and then discharge all of their energy at once. (Charging = additional draw on alternator). The small ones (1 farad) probably take about 10 seconds to fully charge. Now think about that... How often do you listen to a song where the bass only hits once every ten seconds? Almost never. So yeah, the cap would help you for every 4th or 5th hit, but for the other ones, your headlights will still dim.

Now, if you go get a 200 amp (or possibly even 130 amp alternator) for a little more money than you would pay for a cap, you will never have any dimming problems - especially with only running 500 watts... Might as well get a good alternator in case you want to upgrade systems in the future.

 

[jordan23]

Keep your GROUND wire the SAME GAUGE as your power!!! Don't skimp on ground! You should also upgrade the battery to chassis ground wire to THE SAME GAUGE as your power wire...you should have NO dimming then!

Jordan23

 

[Explorer94GV]

200 amp altenator should solve your problems it didnt for me though....like jordan said keep ground and power wire same gauge. I still get dimming and my battery needle still goes crazy.