Audio(power) Upgrade?

[Franklinnn 10+ year member]

Okay, i have a few questions about how i should go about my Car's next audio upgrade.

1. I probably could read through and find the answers but i done a ton of reading and would like to throw out my situation. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif My setup is 1 alpine type E running a 500 watt bridged 2 channel amp at (2ohm?) with 8 gauge wiring.

The bass is perfect for how i listen to my music which is loud and fairly hard hitting which i think the system does fine.

HOWEVER i do dim the lights a little too easy.. I have read a lot and it could be a few things and there are a lot of big small and huge upgrades i can do, what dont know what is right for me.

1. Bad battery. - Its possible, but when the system is off everything runs fine and car starts perfect.

2. Bad alt. - not too possible, since it charges my battery good enough for the system at low volumes and car runs smooth.

3. Bad grounds - I have checked my amp's and it looks fine against the frame on hard metal.

4. too much resistance in wires - highly possible because of draw from system.

Solutions:

BIG 3 - i could do it! but what gauge of wire? would 4 work? or any disadvataged with going with 1/0? i think 1/0 is too much and what size of fuse from alt to battery 150 amps?

better battery - check old one?

high output alt?

other solutions?

any help would be greatly appreciated //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

i spend 12 hours a day at work on a computer and dont have too much time to troubleshoot so quick tips and solutions would be great! and maybe help compile a shopping list //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

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[Enellz 10+ year member]

Do the Big 3, 4 guage should work fine since not running alot of power. Also upgrade your power wire to 4 guage. Check all your grounds, make sure its bare metal, if not sand it down. Also a HO alternator is not needed, and if the Big 3 doesnt stop the dimming maybe get a bigger upfront battery

 

[Franklinnn 10+ year member]

Thanks Enellz! ill double check all wiring and grounds, and 4 gauge for a 750w system?

My biggest concern is getting power where it should be first, then my car audio.

I thought 8 gauge for power is good, and dont want to upgrade it if it will get too much excess power to the amp.

also what sizes of fuses should i have? i think i have an 80amp to the sub and was planing on 150amp from the alternator.

And does anyone know how or someone who can get to the alternator on an 05 neon easily... its like all the way down by the CV axels, and running it where the stock wire is looks painful, or i need to get it to run across and through by the engine, but should be fine if i get some insulation or hard resistant looming and make **** sure its secure somewhere snug and not too hot.

EDIT:

one more question, would it be good or bad if i did the big 3 with 1/0 for the main power and 4 gauge for the grounds?

 

[Franklinnn 10+ year member]

Bump //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif