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New alternator or capacitor?

LBoy

Member
Joined
June 7, 2004
Messages
15
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0
City, State
NY
Year, Model & Trim Level
1997 Mountaineer AWD
First off I will kinda give the rundown of my system. It basically consists of four high-passed 6X8's(getting ~100rms each) and two MTX Thunder 8000's getting 500rms from a JL class D amp(500/1).
I also added headlights that are 55/100(harness from Suvlights.com) and replaced the fogs with a set using 135 watt bulbs in each.
So its definately sucking down some juice.....but nothing earth shattering.

As one could guess,the headllights dim pretty badly on bass peaks. Its the JL and the subs thats doing it. If I turn the remote gain down,then I can crank it at will and nothing dims. But even with a little bit of sub added to it,the lights dim again.

I am debating getting either a 20farad cap for the system or a 200amp alternator. With carbon caps being so small and cheap now,I find no sense in getting a 1 or 2 farad electrolytic cap when I can get a serious motha for 50 bucks more.
Anyone have insight into which would be better if I were to only get one?
From what I have been taught,the cap is only a band aid to make up for not having enough alternator to begin with.......
I run both in my Mustang(thats the real money pit) with no power troubles at all.....not even close....and thats running 1500rms......
Of note,all the wiring in the lights and system was done right. Proper wire guage and grounding was taken care of when everything installed. I am also running an Optima red top.
Thanks for the help.......sorry the post is so long.
 



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why not a battery isolater and a second battery in the hatch area in a battery box
 






I fully agree, do the big 3 upgrade first, its only wiring....
 






after reading the artical i agree with the big 3 not only will it help your audio but the motor will also see some benifits to like getting a good spark on the plugs and all the sensors will get the right amount of voltage too
 






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