500w and lights dimming!

[microhaxo 10+ year member]

here is the info...

130 amp alternator

8 gauge wire setup

75A max load amp with a fuse rating: 40A x 2

500w rms powering 1 subwoofer

Lights are dimming quite a bit, what is going on?

before you shout the big 3, remember that 500w rms and 130a alt should power this with no problems at all..

so with all that being said what do you think is going on? my ground wire for the amp is connected to a bolt of the chassis in my trunk.

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[silvercookie 5,000+ posts]

what amp are you running?

 

[WhoSayWho? 5,000+ posts]

How old is the vehicle?

 

[jbizzle 5,000+ posts]

I had dimming problems on an 02 chevy trailblazer also with 500 watts, all you need to do is the big3 and you should be set.

 

[MasterOfAllBass 10+ year member]

to op, where are u loc in MN? I live in mn and i can help you alot

 

[microhaxo 10+ year member]

well im kinda doin wrong on the power wire, im using 8 gauge and i believe that is rated at 60 amp. but my amp draws 75w max and it has 2 40w fuses. Do you think the 8 awg could be the problem for the dimming?

car is 95 Ford taurus

amp is SONY XM 2200 GT

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

sounds like a weak ground

 

[silvercookie 5,000+ posts]

sony is the problem

 

[bizzy07 10+ year member]

Maybe go bigger than 8 guage wire??? And yes, do the big 3; my car was done with 8 guage factory I upgraded to 2/0 and it is a world of difference.

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

8ga if true 8ga is plenty big enough for your amp

 

[microhaxo 10+ year member]

Hmm, well i got this 8 gauge free with an old 10" sub i bought a few years back. Id be suprised if it wasnt rated true 8 gauge..

I think ill go and buy 4 awg and see if it makes a diff. Ill for sure do the big 3 if i dont see much of an improvement.

 

[romans535 10+ year member]

Is this a factory battery, if yes then I would start their

 

[Rashaddd 5,000+ posts]

Old, worn out, crappy factory 8 gauge wiring for the big 3 will act like 16 gauge. Gauranteed big 3 will fix it.

 

[darkhunter139 10+ year member]

Id try big three and at least 4 gauge power wire first. (id just do 0 gauge in case you want to upgrade)

 

[duce2k 10+ year member]

At mimimum upgrade your battery to ground wire first, that should help