How are my lights dimming, badly?

[Psyence 10+ year member]

I have the equipment in my sig... a JL 1000/1 on a 13W7 ported, and I have a powermaster 200AMP alternator, 0 guage big-3.

My lights dim like a MOFO still. My battery guage looks like its bouncin around like its dancing also. I dont have the battery in there yet, but could this be why its still dimming? I'm going to get the battery tomorrow... But I just want to know if I should be expecting this to solve the problem...?

Click to read more...

 

[revrider1 5,000+ posts]

Check all your grounds again.

 

[Savstyle 10+ year member]

check your grounds on your amps, and it also could be your battery

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

sounds like you got a great setup, could definatly be that your current batt isnt supplying enough reserve power. im fairly certain that will solve the problem.

 

[prochobo 10+ year member]

sounds like you got a great setup, could definatly be that your current batt isnt supplying enough reserve power. im fairly certain that will solve the problem.

He shouldn't need a new battery. His current 200 amp alt should be giving him all the juice he needs.

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

not sure how i missed that part. thought it said he had like a 150a alt..... hmmm in theory a 1000w amp could draw aroun 70 ampers, lets say another 100 max for car, that still leaves 30 ampers left. only other thing i could think of is problem w/ alt, problem w/ wiring, or as stated above bad ground....

 

[Psyence 10+ year member]

Well... I have good grounds everywhere... Amps are grounded at the seat bolts, all cleaned and fitting properly...

Well I guess Ill see what the battery does....

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

did you set your gains properly? if you clip the piss out of the amp it'll potentially draw double the current

 

[danteBirosel 5,000+ posts]

if ur car is not running and ur running your system, of course ur gonna get high voltage drops. but when ur car is on, and u have that 200a alt, you really shouldn't be getting that kind of dimming....

-dante

 

[Psyence 10+ year member]

Yeah, this is running...

I have the gains set properly... Im really lost on why it would be getting bad voltage drops...

Back to the drawing board, lol.

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

what size power wire you got going to the amp? maybe your battery is almost dead and the alt is expending more energy to keep it charged

 

[RandyJ 10+ year member]

if ur car is not running and ur running your system, of course ur gonna get high voltage drops. but when ur car is on, and u have that 200a alt, you really shouldn't be getting that kind of dimming....

-dante

No, when it is running at the engine speed at which the alternator was rated 200A. If the motor puts out 90A at idle and your're bumping hard at idle, then you have succesfully bought the wrong alternator. An alternator does not always produce 200A of current.

 

[photocrazy8 10+ year member]

He shouldn't need a new battery. His current 200 amp alt should be giving him all the juice he needs.

i have a 220 amp alt and a 1000/1 and the 1000/1 draws 180 amps and the average car takes about 40-45 amps to run so there goes your voltage a drop. need more batteries or a huge deap cycle

EDIT: alt is 175 amps at idle

Nooblet is correct that when at idle your maybe getting half the alts amp rating. i ordered mine from Iraggi with a massive idle rating.

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

i have a 220 amp alt and a 1000/1 and the 1000/1 draws 180 amps and the average car takes about 40-45 amps to run so there goes your voltage a drop. need more batteries or a huge deap cycle

that amp does not draw a constant 180 amp //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[photocrazy8 10+ year member]

that amp does not draw a constant 180 amp //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

at just about full tilt three car audio shops in three diff cities said 175-185 amps //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif