NotLawReview

I know this has been addressed a bit, but I have a slightly different question about it...

I have a new to me '04z where the previous owner used to take the car to shows and has a nice system in it (though it appears to be somewhat old). Alpine CDA-7995HU, JL 500/1, JL 300/4, Boston Acoustics Components front and rear, and a 10w3v3 sub.

Once I got all of the wiring sorted out (though the install was pretty, they clearly lost track of the RCAs as the front right and rear left signals were swapped, a couple of speakers were accidentally unplugged, etc.) I next tackled the headlight dimming issue that I noticed by installing a Saccity Big 3 kit.

As I'm still getting dimming, I figure I'll clean up the grounds and see if that's the cause of the problem, but if it isn't, would the installation of some projector headlights with an HID kit solve the problem? It's my understanding that the ballasts would be providing constant power....

Thanks!

Curt D

When do they dim....idle, while cruising, only when bass hits? Just a little more detail.

NotLawReview

It appears to only really happen when the bass hits. There's definitely a drop in voltage of over a volt in those situations (as read through the DIC).

Last night I decided to clean up the grounds from the negative of the battery to the chassis, where both the factory wiring and the saccitycorvette big3 grounding wires are secured. I'll find out tonight if that helps.

Sirk17

You may need a power cap.

reath1

Cap won't help much if any at all. Spend the extra cash and put a HO alternator in there and be done with it.

NotLawReview

I've thought about that, and I need to check out if the alternator is being underdriven (previous owner did the major modifications), as it doesn't make sense to me that a 500 and a 300 would be too much for the amp.

As to the other question, would putting HIDs on the car take care of the issue?

reath1

Those amps could very well be placing a strain on the alt. I personally have no idea what amp draw they actually have. I do know that if you go with a HO alternator it will solve the problem though.

As far as the HID's, if you want them go for it. But I see that being a band-aid on the dimming light problem. You could try a good cap, and it may solve the issue, but I see that also as a band-aid, but much cheaper option.

NotLawReview

Yeah, I have read quite a few threads and opinions on caps and how the general consensus nowadays is that they aren't really worthwhile... I'll start looking into a HO alternator, thanks!

reath1

I have a unit from DC Power. Doesn't throw any lights. Very satisfied with it. There are several manufacturers on the market.

NotLawReview

did you go with the 180 or the 300? Factory is 110 iirc, correct?

reath1

I went with the 300 but I'm running 3 batteries and amplifiers capable of drawing close to 600 amps. I have 0 light dimming.

markcz

I have a 270a DC Power HO Alt, it puts out more current at idle that the stocker does at max capacity.

At idle it puts out 14.7v. If I turn A/C on, all lights on, both heated seats on, and crank up the stereo so it's using all 900w.... voltage will drop down to 14.6 on the really hard bass thumps. Remember, this is AT IDLE, the HO Alt will work.

HID's would prob work also, but they may cause radio reception problems and may not work if the problem is bad enough.

Mishawaka

I would think a capacitor would work, if the lights dim only when the bass hits hard then the charge from the capacitor would maintain what is needed during the momentary voltage drain. I would try that before a new expensive alternator.