loss of power

[imral3 10+ year member]

during passages with a lot of bass, if my car is not moving i experience a drop out of bass (plus the headlights pulsate). i would assume my amps are trying to draw more power than my alternator can provide while idling. what would be the recomended cure for the problem.

i currently have the following installed in a '93 escort hatchback (please don't snicker to much):

sony cd head unit = 52w x 4 (driving front and rear speakers)

component 6.5" mid bass / 1" titanium tweeter up front

6" x 8" coaxil in rear

two (2) MTX RT2200 amps bridged mono each driving an MAaudio 12" sub each in it's own sealed enclosure

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[mrray13 10+ year member]

a HO altenator to start, then cap each amp.

 

[imral3 10+ year member]

i did not think i would need both a HO alternator and CAPS for such minimal watts?

and while im here... would you recomend putting the subs (facing the rear ofcourse) right behind the seat or close to the very back of the car?

 

[natem33 10+ year member]

Try a cap first. It's the easier and cheaper than a new alternator. Both amps will be able to run off of one cap. That should nearly eliminate your problem. Your escort alt is not designed for anything else besides starting the car and the stock accessories.

 

[taylor 10+ year member]

A CAP IS NOT A SOLUTION TO A WEAK ALTERNATOR!!!!!! go get your alternator tested, if it weak replace it. if not get a power cap. but if you still have probs get a H.O. alternator.

 

[natem33 10+ year member]

NO ITS NOT A SOLUTION, but it helps take the load off. I would guess that he has a small alternator, not a weak alternator. Not many people are willing to drop $400 for an aftermarket alternator, but $90 for a cap is a little more reasonable and will help. Even to replace the stock alternator isn't cheap if a person can't do it themselves.

 

[taylor 10+ year member]

Yes it will if your alternator is in good shape. But at the shop i work at some kid was complaining that his amp ****** and it kept cutting out, so we tested his alternator and it was putting out 14amps. So then next week he comes back after christmas and his parents bought him a power cap. Then he complained when it still kept cutting out. So he brought back all of his stuff and got his money back. We told him it was the alternator but he didn't believe us.

 

[natem33 10+ year member]

Good point. I have been plagued with alternator problems in my driving years (all Honda Accords). When my alternator was going out my Stereo was never affected until the final few days of the alternators life. I would have starting problems, acceleration problems, and my head lights were always very dim. that's why I suspect a stock alternator that cannot handle the extra amp draw (unless he is having other probs as well). It's a small car with a small alternator, and especially when he said that it was happening when the car was idle. Although that could be a bad alt, I would first say that it just doesn't have the ability to provide that much power unless it is being ran at a higher RPM. I'm not saying that taylor is wrong, just that I would suspect his theory secondary.

 

[mrray13 10+ year member]

ok, i feel the need to clarify my first response. what i meant was get the new altenator first, then if that didn't complety resolve the problem to try the cap. i don't see why a new h/o altenator wouldn't solve the problem.

if i remember right escorts came with 90 amp altenators. you should be able to pick up a 110 amp or higher for right around $200 at the most. look into later model escorts, tempos or similar ford cars. you might find one cheaper!!