dimming head lights
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Heathrow FL
dimming head lights
Hooked up my orion xtream amp its 200 watts x 2, 4 gauge power and ground, 1 farad cap and when I get hard bass hits I'm still getting dimmed lights? Its a 98 coupe with the original battery in it. The eye is green and there was no acid leakage under it when I took it out but it did seem to be kind of bulged out on the sides a tiny bit. Could I just need a new battery? Well I'm going to replace it tomorrow anyway, but will this fix it is the question. My DIC voltage is around the mid to high 13's when running. By the way thanks every one for the help so far, this forum was the best thing I came across.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Dallas City IL
Re: dimming head lights (c5a4)
Thats what happens with a lot of current draw. Not much you can do. Capacitor only helps with quick bass notes, not extended bass drains. When this happens, the altinator has to recharge the battery, the cap, and run the whole system. Only help would be adding a 2nd battery. This adds weight, and will only help, but not solve your problems. The XTR's are current hungry amps, I don't thinks replaceing your exsisting battery will help much. But if you do, go with the Optima Yellow Top.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 2
From: Windermere FL
Re: dimming head lights (JoeyG)
If the cap is good, bigger alternator and/or battery. I'd try the battery first. The lights shouldn't dim from just one amp. I have three about the same size with 4 gauge wire and no cap with no dimming even with AC and other accessories on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 5
From: Satellite Beach, FL, USA
Re: dimming head lights (c5a4)
The alternator cannot put out a lot of power at idle. Another thing to do is check all the wiring for a poor connection. You can try and measure voltage drop across cables and terminals with a DVM.
First run the stereo with the engine off and measure the battery voltage and then the voltage at the amp when running at high volume. Repeat the test with the car running. If you see large differences, try and isolate it to a specific cable or terminal.
First run the stereo with the engine off and measure the battery voltage and then the voltage at the amp when running at high volume. Repeat the test with the car running. If you see large differences, try and isolate it to a specific cable or terminal.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 28,738
Likes: 41
From: Frankenstein never scared me. Marsupials do, because they're fassst…and they DART, THAT'S crazy!
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
Re: dimming head lights (c5a4)
Adding a second battery will only compound the problem. That is just another drain on the alt. First check all cables, wires and grounds like stated above, you shouldn’t be having that problem with just one amp and 4-gauge wire. I would also recommend upgrading the electrical wiring under the hood. Add a 4-gauge or larger wire from Alternator to positive battery post; fuse it with ANL fuse slightly above what the alt is rated at. Run ground from negative battery post to chassis and from engine block to chassis. That will greatly improve the ability of your alternator to power your electrical system and is relatively inexpensive for the benefit you receive. If you want to change the battery I too would suggest an Optima Yellow Top. Also, if you really need the extra voltage I would recommend you upgrade your alternator to a higher output alt before adding addition batteries. Multiple batteries are not what you need with your setup.
If you need me to elaborate further just ask.
Hope this helps…. :) :flag
If you need me to elaborate further just ask.
Hope this helps…. :) :flag
