alternator problems HELP!

[budahbuddy803 10+ year member]

i own an 89' oldsmobile cutlass with about a 800rms watt system. whenever i turn it on about mid level or higher i have the pioneer deh-p7700 and it has the battery level reading and when my subs hit it drains the battery to about 12 volts instead of 14 and the alternator begins squeaking terribly! i would like to know if any one knows what is squeaking. The belt running through the alternator has frayed and a little bit has torn off. if that is the problem it is an easy fix but if not i do not know what to do. a new alternator i guess would fix it but if not i do not want to just waste $100. also if i get a new alternator would it significant difference in the voltage when my subs hit? ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

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[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

definately replace the belt if it is frayed regardless if it will make a difference or not. what does your volt gage on your car read? if you have one. get a dmm and measure your voltage. not sure what you meant by yur last sentence. 800 watts shouldn't run down the at like that unless you are possibly clipping the amp. if you must get a new alt, invest in an HO alt.

 

[budahbuddy803 10+ year member]

at idle it is 14.5 volts but when i turn the volume to about 30 or higher it reads about 12 volts when my subs hit.

 

[PhatTonyDeMarco 5,000+ posts]

Did you set your gain on the amp correctly using a DMM or o-scope?..

If not, I bet your amp is experiencing clipping which can have massive voltage spikes and cause large current draws, which equals low voltage.