Lights still dim, time for second battery?

[Rashaddd 5,000+ posts]

Not to mention he should have more than enough alternator to handle the power he is running assuming it is in fact working correctly.

yea I looked at that after i posted...160 amp alt? That should be enough to handle a 2-3kw system...I've got almost 2kw on like an 80 amp alt right now and one battery and no dimming...voltage stays pretty steady in the low 13's at full tilt at idle, sometimes dropping into low 12's

I'd get your alt checked out, and double check all your connections.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

I would see if the alt maker suggests or has a smaller pulley to help increase idle output.

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

ill have to check that alternator then

should i take it to a mechanic or do car audio places do the idle fix?

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

A mechanic would probably tell you that you don't need more power. They typically do not understand the needs of high power car audio systems. They will tell you to not turn it up that loud. LOL.

IMHO, you probably just need a second batt. FWIW, if you mix batteries, you run the risk of shorter life spans. If you are going to have multiple batts, they should be matching units. I would highly suggest an HC1400 for the trunk to match the HC1400 in the front. After that, you should be 100% god to go as long as the alt you have is working as it should.

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

darn, Batcap 2000 is out of the question then. maybe i should sell the hc1400 and get two batcap 2000 lol. where can i get my alter check to see if it's supposed to be working right?

i dont really want a battery in the back, would it make a big difference to have 2 in the front rather than 1 in front and 1 in back?

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

I would ask your alt manufacturer about the pulley. As far as 2 in the front I would GUESS it would help BUT not as well as putting it in back. also depends on your wire job and size of wire. Still would venture to guess more than half your problem is idle output

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

Alternator was bought on eBay, here's a link

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-2002-Honda-Accord-Acura-CL-4-cyl-165Amps-Alternator_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a543Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem360094601476QQitemZ360094601476QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I have no knowledge of alternators lol or what the pulley does. i have all 0 gauge except 4 gauge from amps to distro block. i did the big 3 upgrade with the knu 0 gauge wires.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

ask them about it. you can contact them still can't you? A smaller pulley will rotate faster with engine RPM thus make more current at an idle RPM

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

yea i did, it's gonna take some time for them to respond. what "all" do i need to do with this pulley after i find out?

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

replace the one that is on your car now with it...you may also need a new belt (tad smaller) if they do recommend it they may very well have all the parts you need or know what parts you will need....

 

[TurdFergueson2 5,000+ posts]

I got a cap I could sell you. It has blue LEDs too.

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

hmm sounds like more pain than the battery. i'll still get this pulley problem fix and another kinetik hc1400 in the back or the hc2400.

would replacing my current 0 gauge wire from battery to distro block help? i bought it from somewhere here long time ago and it's a welding black wire, but it looks smaller than my knu 0 gauge.......

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

I got a cap I could sell you. It has blue LEDs too.

srry, looking for the hc1400 and hc2400 now, may just get another one off ebay soon. man, can't believe how much i've spent on car audio.

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

If you go for the HC1400, it wouldbe a perfect fix. The HC2400 is larger, takes up more space, weighs more, and cost more too. Simply add in the HC1400 in the rear and make sure you run 1/0 between the 2 batts. Also make sure you use 2 fuses in that interconnect. One on each end as close to the battery as possible. Mount the rear HC1400 as close to your amps as possible for maximum power.

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

If you go for the HC1400, it wouldbe a perfect fix. The HC2400 is larger, takes up more space, weighs more, and cost more too. Simply add in the HC1400 in the rear and make sure you run 1/0 between the 2 batts. Also make sure you use 2 fuses in that interconnect. One on each end as close to the battery as possible. Mount the rear HC1400 as close to your amps as possible for maximum power.

i may go with the hc1400 depending on my budget, but the hc2400 is always good to have in case i upgrade everything later. i'm going to try putting a second hc1400 in the front and see how that affects the dimming.