Headlights Dimming?

[bradl79 10+ year member]

i am barely using 700 rms and my headlights are dimming, i do have the big 3 0ga cca, why would my headlights still dim?

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[gckless 5,000+ posts]

Because you're drawing more than you're supplying, and your system voltage is dropping. Simple.

 

[bradl79 10+ year member]

how can i fix that, a new alt?

 

[calebkhill 10+ year member]

Try going a little easier on your gains.

 

[eg9 10+ year member]

Alternator would be the best.

Extra batteries or capacitors won't do much unless you can keep any additions charged.

 

---------- Post added at 11:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 PM ----------

 

Try going a little easier on your gains.

What's the fun in that????

 

[calebkhill 10+ year member]

[quote name='eg9']Alternator would be the best.

Extra batteries or capacitors won't do much unless you can keep any additions charged.

---------- Post added at 11:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 PM ----------



What's the fun in that????[/QUOTE]

Lol, it's cheaper.
@bradl79;
Sure your not clipping?
overdriving your system will give you mean voltage drop.
Can you cut back on since power somewhere?

 

[eg9 10+ year member]

[quote name='calebkhill']Lol, it's cheaper.
@bradl79;
Sure your not clipping?
overdriving your system will give you mean voltage drop.
Can you cut back on since power somewhere?[/QUOTE]

Cheaper yes but just take the car audio out the car if you have to turn it down.

Spend the money on an alternator, you'll be happier!

 

[calebkhill 10+ year member]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[Side Show 10+ year member]

nah get a second batt, prob solved

 

[bradl79 10+ year member]

not clipping b/c i already set my gains using an oscope so i know they are not clipping

 

[Side Show 10+ year member]

no bass boost? bass turned down on the deck, lpf at 80hz, no bass control knob? eq at flat?

 

[CaptainMaximus 10+ year member]

What ohm are you running at? And definitely a new alternator, before problems that come from low voltage start showing up. Does your amp or cone of your subs get warm? Did you redo the alternator ground AND the engine ground?

 

[bradl79 10+ year member]

i am running fronts at 4ohm, rears and subs at 2ohms, i guess i could check my voltage and see where its at, should i change my sub to 4ohm, they are not really dimming alot, just barely noticable, and i do not have bass boost on, i never really noticed until tonight i was in my drive way listening and they were dimming just a little bit

 

---------- Post added at 11:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:12 PM ----------

 

also they were doing it while not playing any music, too

maybe its just my eyes, i tested the voltage and it was at 14.5 and when engine running was 14.3 to 14.1

 

[CaptainMaximus 10+ year member]

We're the headlights pulsating? Definitely monitor your voltage if they are dimming with no music... Definitely check your grounds both the engine chassis ground and alternator ground...

 

[eg9 10+ year member]

Any system 1000 watts or over 100a current drawn would recommend upgrading something.

Guaranteed your stock alternator will only maintain stock amperage draw. Anything above that will kill an alternator.

Adjusting gains or this/that knob won't get you anywhere.

Adding batteries or caps won't do ugh either. Adding caps or batteries only does so much, your alternator still has to charge what you have.