Massive dimming problem

[96TL 10+ year member]

I'm running a Sundown SAE1000D to a 12" FI Q. Stock highs. I have an '07 Hummer H3. The stock alt is 120 amps. I ran 4AWG power and ground wires for the amp. My headlights, dash lights, driving lights, etc, all dim so bad with the music it looks horrible at night.

I did some DMM checks on the batt.

Car off, music off, 12.8 volts.

Car running, music off, 15 volts.

Car running, music on, 13.2 volts at the lowest drop.

The battery under the hood looks like a crappy piece of junk. I didn't think it would matter with a 120 amp alt though. Should I upgrade the batt?

Thanks.

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[Racerx250 10+ year member]

big 3 and 0/1 wire. Try that first. I got 2 amp pulling 120a and a 105a alt. and I still don't dim.

 

[96TL 10+ year member]

Just the Big 3 should do it you think?

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

I'm running a Sundown SAE1000D to a 12" FI Q. Stock highs. I have an '07 Hummer H3. The stock alt is 120 amps. I ran 4AWG power and ground wires for the amp. My headlights, dash lights, driving lights, etc, all dim so bad with the music it looks horrible at night.
I did some DMM checks on the batt.

Car off, music off, 12.8 volts.

Car running, music off, 15 volts.

Car running, music on, 13.2 volts at the lowest drop.

The battery under the hood looks like a crappy piece of junk. I didn't think it would matter with a 120 amp alt though. Should I upgrade the batt?

Thanks.

dude...dropping to 13.2 volts is not a massive drop. theres people here dropping into the low 11's....THATS a bad drop, and dangerous.

any time you drop voltage you will dim. thats the nature of it.

bulbs are brighter @ 14V than they are at 13V and even less at 12V. thats all normal. in fact dimming, as annoying as it maybe and bad as it looks to your eyes, isnt dangerous (providing your not dropping real low, IMO you should always stay above 13V).

do the big 3 (doubt it will remedy anything as its all brand new wiring anyways and your not putting THAT much of a strain on the electrical system), and try to get a extra battery wired in. should help.

 

[96TL 10+ year member]

dude...dropping to 13.2 volts is not a massive drop. theres people here dropping into the low 11's....THATS a bad drop.
any time you drop voltage you will dim. thats the nature of it.

bulbs are brighter @ 14V than they are at 13V and even less at 12V. thats all normal. in fact dimming, as annoying as it maybe and bad as it looks to your eyes, isnt dangerous (providing your not dropping real low, IMO you should always stay above 13V).

do the big 3 (doubt it will remedy anything as its all brand new wiring anyways and your not putting THAT much of a strain on the electrical system), and try to get a extra battery wired in. should help.

Maybe I should just install an HID kit. It wont be as noticable at least. Thanks. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

Maybe I should just install an HID kit. It wont be as noticable at least. Thanks. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

ive never had HID lights, however i have heard that.

a nice cheap AGM (deka intimidator) never hurt anyone either //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[ent3rdadragon 10+ year member]

Hid's could possibly help. It helped when I replaced my stock halogens that were 55 watts. It dims slightly less now but it's still pretty noticeable.

 

[sdmtnbiker420 10+ year member]

post deleted

 

[audioarsonal 10+ year member]

try charging the battery you have till it gets warm that will give it a good fresh charge.alot of people over look this but it does make some differance.also BIG 3 will help as well.