Headlights dimming...

[johndoe1234 10+ year member]

Im getting dimming on songs with fast punchy bass in my car, but when i played a bass mekanik song just now the voltage at the battery didnt drop below 13.2vat idle...(is that too low?)

My question is, what would be most effective to stop or reduce the dimming?

Big 3?

Extra battery?

The car is a 2000 honda accord 2.3l stock 70 amp alt(i think)

im running an alpine mrp850 for powering my sub and a ma audio hk398 for running my comps

Any opinions?

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[loopkiller 10+ year member]

Bigger battery(ies) near the amps. Basically what you are seeing is that when you play a more dynamic sound, your alternator regulator is too slow to keep up. However when you play a song with longer bass notes (less dynamic), the alternator can produce enough power.

Another fact is that when you have a power load that changes rapidly, it is easier to see the difference in light output. Just because you can't see the changes with the longer note does not mean you are not actually seeing a voltage drop then as well.

The only true way to diagnose the issue is to use a DMM at the amp inputs. Check the voltage with both types of music and see if the voltage remains the same, or if you like you perceive it, the voltage is higher under the less dynamic music.

 

[johndoe1234 10+ year member]

Oh ok thanks, ill look into that. Im assuming for the power im running I only need a small battery right? Any suggestions?

 

[Torgus 10+ year member]

big 3 1st

then start adding batts

 

[johndoe1234 10+ year member]

How many feet of power wire will i need (a rough guess) and where can i buy it by the foot?

 

[Enellz 10+ year member]

Try knukonceptz.com. They make good wire, and I would recommend doing it in 0g

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

Oh ok thanks, ill look into that. Im assuming for the power im running I only need a small battery right? Any suggestions?

Two HC1400s, one for under the hood and one for the trunk near the amps.

Looks like you are running about 1250wrms. If I am wrong, let me know.

 

[johndoe1234 10+ year member]

Two HC1400s, one for under the hood and one for the trunk near the amps.
Looks like you are running about 1250wrms. If I am wrong, let me know.

Ya thats about what im running. Ill look at knu for the wiring. What will I need ~10 ft? I was planning on 0 gauge

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

Ya thats about what im running. Ill look at knu for the wiring. What will I need ~10 ft? I was planning on 0 gauge

For the Big 3, 10 ft should be plenty.

If you are talking about adding the back battery, of course that will not be enough. You will need probably 30 ft to be safe for the two 1/0 runs (power & ground) when adding the rear battery.

 

[GMCJimmyslt2000 10+ year member]

Two HC1400s, one for under the hood and one for the trunk near the amps.
Looks like you are running about 1250wrms. If I am wrong, let me know.

First thing he needs to do is the big 3. Why waste 300$ for batts when 30$ and the big 3 could fix his problems.

If big 3 doesn't help, than I would look into batts. If that doesn't solve the prob. Timefor a alt.