Headlights are dimming

[Alladin]

Hey guys, I installed my system this weekend and have an Alpine MV-F345 amp installed. I thought they weren't power hungry, but when the bass hits my headlights are dimming quite a bit. Also, my battery is sounding real weak when trying to start my car. Any ideas on what's causing this?

Thanks

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[Chevyaudio 5,000+ posts]

what kind of car do you have, and if you can find out how many amps is your ALT. putting out. All you might need to do is get a good deep cycle battery and do the

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[Alladin]

It's an 02 Mazda Protoge 5 with the original battery.

 

[jsloan10 10+ year member]

Upgrade your battery to something that has a minimum of 800cca, and upgrade your alternator to something with an output of around 140amps.

Also upgrade your ground wire from your battery to the fender and upgrade the engine blocks ground strap, in your case I reccomend 4gauge wire.

Beefing up the charge wire from the alt to the + battery terminal is a good idea, a fused 4gauge line would work well, you could get away with 8gauge though.