Please give advice on volt drop. Thanks

[Ksan 10+ year member]

OK guys I know I have to do all three but which should I do first, I will have to save to get them all done. So can I see an improvement from one? If so which is most important?

I have a 2004 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab Hemi Truck. I have a Hifonics 1608D on two 10 inch subs and a Kicker 200.2 on polk comps. My volts are droping big time at high levels. I have a 140Amp Alt, so which to start with? Big 3 first? Battery first? Bigger Alt First? Thanks for the help guys.

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[Toxic_Acoustiks 10+ year member]

If I were you and money was tight, i'd go for the big 3 for now, and then batt. and then alt.

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

I did the big 3 after i got the battery and alternator and it helped a lot. no dimming after doing big 3. i was still getting volt. drop and dimming with battery and 175amp alternator until i did the big 3 with 0 gauge wires.

 

[91Chevy 10+ year member]

Start with the Big 3. After that, I'd upgrade your battery, depending on what it is (especially with the stocker). That's a decent alt, so I'd put that last on the list.

 

[TNTR70 10+ year member]

how old is the battery? sounds like it isn't holding charge real well....alt is doin all the work

 

[Ksan 10+ year member]

It is the same battery that came new on the truck in 2004. It is a very large battery and cranks easy, everything is fine until I turn the system up to around 20 and the the volts drop BIG time. I am talking from 14.4 to around 11 or so if I am reading it right, lights inside the dash and headlights when on dim badly. Thank you all very much for the info and help. I am going to start working on this problem this week.

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

It is the same battery that came new on the truck in 2004. It is a very large battery and cranks easy, everything is fine until I turn the system up to around 20 and the the volts drop BIG time. I am talking from 14.4 to around 11 or so if I am reading it right, lights inside the dash and headlights when on dim badly. Thank you all very much for the info and help. I am going to start working on this problem this week.

sounds like the big 3 with 0awg will help

 

[tristanmay 10+ year member]

big 3 man, geter done.

its also the cheapest by far out of the 3

that should do it with the amps you got running, its CRAZY how cheap of wire the car was built with.

also if that doesnt do it your should save up and get a battery. your dont have to go crazy expensive either, just a good ole deep cycle would do the job great(600cca and up)

also sealed is best just to be on the safe side

or your could go with an audio battery which normally have a better discharge rate, but you dont have to.

good luck!

 

[csu87 10+ year member]

big 3, then batt and alt if enough money

 

[UpGradde 10+ year member]

If I were you and money was tight, i'd go for the big 3 for now, and then batt. and then alt.

x2

 

[Ksan 10+ year member]

Could you guys please point me to the wire I would need to do the big three. Thank you for your time.

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

Could you guys please point me to the wire I would need to do the big three. Thank you for your time.

http://www.knukonceptz.com/productMaster.cfm?category=Power%20Wire

0 gauge is the best

 

[McIntosh 10+ year member]

http://www.knukonceptz.com/productMaster.cfm?category=Power%20Wire
0 gauge is the best

I just EMailed Knu about their ampacity claims asking for test results that verify them. I certainly expect no reply. They have a customer base PT Barnum would be proud of. If you want real wire, go to an electrical supply house. If you need flexibility, ask for welding or locomotive cable. It'll probably cost less and certainly be safer than what these bass-head predators are selling. Spelling everything with a K is soooo kool. Taking candy from a baby comes to mind.

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

For a stock alt and probably up to a 200 amp alt maybe higher, I would assume Knu 1/0 for a big 3 would be more than sufficient. Think of all the factory 140+ amp alternators that are hooked up with 10 awg to 8 awg. 1/0 from any company is 1/0. It's just going to cost more if you go with a company who targets audio fanatics. Welding wire would be cheaper.

As far as the order of the upgrades, big 3, battery, then alt. Unless your alt really has a strain on it, I don't think you'll need to upgrade it. 140 amps is a pretty decent rating for a factory alt. Even after the big 3 and battery you may get some dimming. The voltage drops won't be nearly as severe though. My car has 1/0 for the big 3 and an Optima D34/78 yellow top up front. My voltage drops went from drops of almost 3 volts to less than half a volt by replacing my battery and doing the big 3.

 

[only126db 10+ year member]

I'd say battery first, thats an old battery. You already have a good size alt for that system. The big 3 is an option, but I bet money if you put a fresh battery in it you'll notice a big difference.