Ground Problem?

[Buttlice 10+ year member]

Im running a 1200 watt amp on one sub with 4awg wire. When it was first installed, it was working fine. Now when im playing music really loud the headlights will start to kinda flash twice and they get REALLY dim, then my whole system shuts off, including the CD Deck. I have noticed that, in the morning, when starting my car up it will turn over quite a bit slower than what it used to. The battery is almost brand new, just got it last year. Do i need a capacitor or something? Any ideas on why it would do this? Gets really annoying when it does >:O

Click to read more...

 

[jrwalte 10+ year member]

The reason it is happening is because your voltage is dropping dangerously low, at least below 10 volts. This causes electrical equipment to start shutting off.

The reason for low voltage now but not before can be a multiude of things.

Some are:

1. Alternator going bad

2. A ground has come loose

3. because a possible combination of either/or of the above, the 'new' battery is now bad.

1. Have an auto store 'load' test the alternator. This one can be tricky. The alternator may be well enough to give enough charge for the battery and pass the test, but when under heavy load from a stereo it may not output what it used to and keep the battery at a good charge.

2. Check this first. Look at all main negative connections and verify they are tight and not corroded. These are battery > chassis, engine block/alt > battery or chassis, amp > chassis or battery.

3. Have auto store test battery. If it is bad, it is probably because of 1 or 2 causing stress to the battery. Get a new battery and determine what the issue is.

Oh, and no capacitor. It will not help in the slightest with this situation.