Too much power draw?

[NateF]

I've never had battery or alternator problems til I hooked up my system in a Honda. I never used a capacitor until I put my system in a Honda. My brother thinks I need to get a high output alternator because im trying to run too much power. I need some help/suggestions if I should try to find a high output alternator and where I should even look. Thanks

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[blazian87 10+ year member]

We need more details...

What vehicle specifically?
What equipment are you running currently?
What kind of problems are you referring to?
How low does your voltage go down to?
What battery are you running and how old is it?

 

[NateF]

2004 Honda pilot EX-L.
Pioneer avh-x2800bs head unit
4 Rockford p16 door speakers with no amp
2 p2 10 inch Rockford subwoofers hooked to a Rockford p450.2 amp with a 1.5-farad capacitor with red LCD meter.

problems:
Alternator that was in car when purchased, died. Not sure if it was stock or not. Replaced it with new one. Low end but same amps they all come with which is 130. I cannot find higher locally. There is no volt meter built into the car. Serpentine belt broke yesterday. Replaced it. But my battery light keeps coming on intermittently and I was told my abs light came on as well. When previous alternator went I lost the whole cluster panel and most of the lights came on including abs and battery.

Battery is a 24 -600 champion battery with a 30 month warranty (I have no idea how old battery is) warranty disclaimer says 2016 on it. I can't get full specs without pulling it out at this time. I do not recall replacing the battery in the 2-3 years I have owned the vehicle.

 

[Big Diego 27]

Your not pushing much power at all for any real negative effects from the system. I don't think you even need that capacitor. I don't think it's stereo system related.

 

[blazian87 10+ year member]

Yeah so you're definitely not drawing too much power. Check to see if you're actually getting the right voltage from your alt like you're supposed to. If it's really low, it could be a sign of a failing alt. I've had that happen to me before with a cheap alt from ebay I bought thinking I was saving money to have it crap out on me within a few months. That capacitor is not helping your situation either because it's going to keep demanding more from your alt.

 

[1aespinoza 10+ year member]

You may have a bad ground. Run a 4awg wire from the battery negative to the strut tower. Make sure paint is sanded off for great contact. Also make sure both battery terminals are clean. Keep us posted.

 

[NateF]

Before I put the cap in, bass hits would dim lights. That's why I put it in. That's what I was recommended to do. I did put the cheapest option alternator from AutoZone in as a replacement. come to find out recently that they're mainly just rebuilt. we did test the alternator and battery yesterday after I put a new belt in and it said that I'm getting 13 volts from the alt.

I will also check that ground wire as suggested.

 

[blazian87 10+ year member]

Before I put the cap in, bass hits would dim lights. That's why I put it in. That's what I was recommended to do. I did put the cheapest option alternator from AutoZone in as a replacement. come to find out recently that they're mainly just rebuilt. we did test the alternator and battery yesterday after I put a new belt in and it said that I'm getting 13 volts from the alt.

I will also check that ground wire as suggested.

Ask Autozone to do a full diagnostic check for your battery. I think your battery may be at the end of its life. If so, I would recommend you swap out to an AGM battery instead. Way more dependable and will work better with your system. Duracell Ultra Platinum AGMs from Sam's Club are good. It wouldn't hurt to also add the Big 3 upgrade if you haven't done so.

 

[THATpurpleKUSH 5,000+ posts]

You need to do an ELD bypass or will continue to have problems.

Late 90s to early 2000s Hondas and Acuras have an electronic circuit built in to the ecu to limit voltage for the sake of fuel economy. It needs to by bypassed to run at a constant 14.4v.


Just noticed how small of an amp you have, your problems are within the vehicle's charging system not the audio but you still likely need to do the ELD bypass.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

you dont need a new alt. This is a different problem definitely the ELD issue.

 

[NateF]

Ok I'll start with battery and big 3. Then if that doesn't help I'll do the ELD bypass. Thanks. I'll post updates

 

[20 hz bass machine Premium Member]

I'm late to the party but I agree. I had 2 jlw0v3's on a xd600 along with a component set on a pioneer d-8604 for years with the stock alt and never even had the headlights dim. This eld bypass along with a new battery sound like a very promising solution

 

[NateF]

Havent had a chance to get the battery tested but I went to the store and the car died. No power. No nothing. Opened the hood and smoke coming from around the alternator. Car won't try to start. No clicking, no nothing. Suggested to charge battery overnight and try again. But alternator It's definitely going to need replaced again.

 

[Slo_Ride 5,000+ posts]

I've run 1500 watts on a stock alt. This is the good old Honda ELD crap.

 

[1aespinoza 10+ year member]

Havent had a chance to get the battery tested but I went to the store and the car died. No power. No nothing. Opened the hood and smoke coming from around the alternator. Car won't try to start. No clicking, no nothing. Suggested to charge battery overnight and try again. But alternator It's definitely going to need replaced again.

Make sure you tighten every nut and fully plug in any harness on that alternator. My father's Jeep had a loose alternator harness, saw it and reached to fully insert, got burned. Good luck man. I know these things are frustrating but be patient. You seem very mechanically inclined so I have faith this will be resolved. In the meantime, we are here.