Major issue

[BlurredVision 10+ year member]

So I have a random rarely happening serious problem. So I was on my way to the store, got groceries and went to the car. Cranked it an started to pull out and my car shut off while backing out of a parking space. All the way off. I couldn't even re-crank it dead. I looked under the hood for a few and decided to try again and it cranked right up. What could that have been?

Oh, something else weird it did was playing frequencies that I had tuned out before it did that. I have crossovers set, but it was playing music out of frequency.

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[The Camry]

playing music out of frequency. What does that even mean...

Have you checked your voltage? Sounds like a loose battery terminal to me.

 

[BlurredVision 10+ year member]

Well, its tuned to not play higher frequencies, but it did before it shut off. Like my amp had no crossovers set.

 

[els1989]

Kinda sounds like something grounded out on you

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[BlurredVision 10+ year member]

Issues resolved. Turns out I brought the truck with a bad alternator. The voltage regulator was shot and had readings all over the place. The stereo just added the finishing touches. So the frequencies playing outta wack and the random cut offs were caused by the vr. The new alternator is strong and my whole vehicle is performing better. It got so much louder from when I had it first installed. What I thought was normal was very weak and it sounded like that alt was a 60% tops output wise. I almost feeling like I should invest in a HO and get the voltage mod thing.

 

[Boominburban 10+ year member]

"the voltage mod thing" ... hmm, that sounds pretty technical man ....better take it to a good shop for that ....

 

[BlurredVision 10+ year member]

I remember either XS or Mechman, was selling a module that you could set voltages with. Don't really hear people talk about them now.

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

they're not going to do anything besides change the charging voltage, you wont get more output, and running at any voltage higher than 14.4 with a standard 12v AGM will cause it to gas.. dont do that.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

they're not going to do anything besides change the charging voltage, you wont get more output, and running at any voltage higher than 14.4 with a standard 12v AGM will cause it to gas.. dont do that.

15.1v is normally the limit. If a bit higher voltage ups the amps efficiency a bit and keeps overall voltage higher you will gain. If it's more stable it's a audible gain.

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

you're technically right, there's a range of acceptable voltages, but you're better off supplying it with more current so the voltage doesn't drop in the first place. i have a hard time believing that's going to be audible if the voltage just drops immediately anyway.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

I remember either XS or Mechman, was selling a module that you could set voltages with. Don't really hear people talk about them now.

This is the external voltage regulator most people use.

DO NOT charge over 14.8 or you can hurt your batteries.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

This is the external voltage regulator most people use.
DO NOT charge over 14.8 or you can hurt your batteries.

how do you go about installing one of these?

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

im pretty sure they just go in parallel with the current voltage sense line, or they may just work in place of the PCM telling the alternator what to do. depends on the vehicle

the best way to do it is to get a second alternator and run it at 16v and get a 14v battery for your amps at 16v, keep the stock electrical seperate.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

how do you go about installing one of these?

One lead to battery +12, one lead to ground, and one to "field" bolt on the alternator. The dial is to adjust your voltage to set it where you like.

The 109$ price tag is about the cheapest you'll find it. Many HO alternator companies just put a sticker with their brand on that unit and up the price 50$ or more.