Lights still dim!

[Colt9699 10+ year member]

Ok I am running exactly whats in my sig at this time and I have done the big 3 in 4 ga wire all my power and grounds are 4 ga.

I checked all ground and they are bare and secure.

My car is a 1992 Geo Storm GSI, new battery, alt tested at 70 amps.

Why are my lights still dimming?

I cant see needing another battery with just this little bit running.

Click to read more...

 

[RandyJ 10+ year member]

DO they dim at idle or at all RPM ranges?

 

[flakko 5,000+ posts]

well the alt IS 70 amps you many need to upgrade your alternator. but i don get it your only running 400+w and you get dimming.

 

[Colt9699 10+ year member]

at Idle and I am asking the same questions...................

 

[RandyJ 10+ year member]

Well at idle it will put out a lot less than 70A most likely.

My math may be wrong but, the way I think it works is like so:

P=IV so I=P/V Assuming 14V will keep you without dimmage that would mean the amp is pulling 21.5A. Lets say it is 70% efficient, that is 15.5A added so that is 37A of draw on your electrical system from the amp only. Now, your figure willbe no where near that since most likely your amp is not pulling maximum current, but that is still a lot of strain on a little *** electrical system. Try a new battery because I doubt the stock is anything great.

 

[RandyJ 10+ year member]

And I just noticed you are running a mid amp as well, so that will only add more strain to your electrical.

EDIT: Especially since that amp is probably much less efficient than the sub amp.

 

[DemonaL 10+ year member]

ya, them biggers wires arnt put to use as much if you arnt getting the power, ya need a bigger alt.

 

[snb778 5,000+ posts]

Ok, im gonna guess that your ampSSSS together are almost 70 amps total....you need a new alternator bro

 

[JaysonR 10+ year member]

4ga wire for big 3? You really should've gone bigger, that would definitely help

 

[SirSmokeAlot420 10+ year member]

you don't need to buy a new alternator... I had the same problem.. Just get a Cap !!! .5 Farad will work if you wanna plan for the future than grab a 1 Farad Digital Cap... That will take the strain off the Alternator and save on your batterie.. Also its way cheaper than upgrading your Alternator...

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

you don't need to buy a new alternator... I had the same problem.. Just get a Cap !!! .5 Farad will work if you wanna plan for the future than grab a 1 Farad Digital Cap... That will take the strain off the Alternator and save on your batterie.. Also its way cheaper than upgrading your Alternator...

Your not a very smart cookie are you?

If his alternator is already straining to power his system, the car and charge the battery.. how is charging a cap going to take the strain off of the alt? You just added even more work for the alt to do. Nice one.

 

[Colt9699 10+ year member]

OK alt was tested as good by professional mechanic.

Battery is 4 weeks old brand new from wal Mart

Grounds are bare and secure.

I have run much bigger amps off of similar alts with no trouble.

Little amp is not hooked up(still need speakers for it)

So its just the viper, a somewhat effeicent amp.

I couldnt fathom putting a new alt in my car for a 300 watt amp........

The voltage drop is not extremely significant....dimming isnt super bad, multimeter shows its dropping to like 13 volts

I was told 4 ga wire was sufficant for my needs seening as it isnt the biggest amp on the block......and my old sony amp ,which I assume was less efficent then the viper didnt dim as much as this one does.

Amp gain is about 40% .....I don't have much for sound so if I was to turn amp up any higher it drowns out my music and all you hear is bass.

Ac dosen't work //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

all that is running is the stereo and the headlights.

The viper amp has a 25 amp fuse in it so I'm to guess it wont draw more than that...correct?

The other amp if it was connected has a 25 amp fuse as well....

I agree about the Cap I think it would add stress to my charging system.

Ok I guess I'll just deal with it as I am in place to upgrade alt or buy opttima battery.

Thanks for everyones input. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[RandyJ 10+ year member]

While the alt was tested good by a pro, it still puts out very little at idle, and I think that along with a below par battery are what is causing problems for you. I know you said it is brand new but it may still be not ideal for your system.

 

[tRiGgEr 5,000+ posts]

5) You're pushing your amplifier(s) into clipping

A much to common problem. Did you set your gains following the gain setting tutorial???

 

[AznRevlAzn 10+ year member]

you don't need to buy a new alternator... I had the same problem.. Just get a Cap !!! .5 Farad will work if you wanna plan for the future than grab a 1 Farad Digital Cap... That will take the strain off the Alternator and save on your batterie.. Also its way cheaper than upgrading your Alternator...

:slaps you for saying something stupid: