Lights... need some electrical help.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Boise ID
Lights... need some electrical help.
Here is what I have:
JL 1000/1 (1200watts on Bench) B/D
JL 450/4 (501watts on Bench) A/B
JL 300/2 (360watts on Bench) A/B
Electrical:
1. 250 AMP Alternator
2. PG Platinum post connectors.
3. 4 guage from Battery to power block
4. 8 guage in addition to factory to Alternator
5. 4 guage to ground point
6. 8 guage in addition to engine ground (checked with ohm meter)
7. 2 One FARAD caps wired with 8 guage to the distro blocks
Now even when cranked my voltage stays at 13.9volts all the time, even with the head lights, and heater on low. But during big kick drums or bass hits the lights dim. Now during long transients it's not a problem, only sudden bass hits. That is why I thought the caps would help, but they made no impact that I could tell.
I had replaced my battery with a Shucks spiral cell battery 4 months before the stereo.... that is my last guess.... any suggestions?
JL 1000/1 (1200watts on Bench) B/D
JL 450/4 (501watts on Bench) A/B
JL 300/2 (360watts on Bench) A/B
Electrical:
1. 250 AMP Alternator
2. PG Platinum post connectors.
3. 4 guage from Battery to power block
4. 8 guage in addition to factory to Alternator
5. 4 guage to ground point
6. 8 guage in addition to engine ground (checked with ohm meter)
7. 2 One FARAD caps wired with 8 guage to the distro blocks
Now even when cranked my voltage stays at 13.9volts all the time, even with the head lights, and heater on low. But during big kick drums or bass hits the lights dim. Now during long transients it's not a problem, only sudden bass hits. That is why I thought the caps would help, but they made no impact that I could tell.
I had replaced my battery with a Shucks spiral cell battery 4 months before the stereo.... that is my last guess.... any suggestions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 2
From: Wesley Chapel Fl
Re: Lights... need some electrical help. (brianw21)
The 4ga is running all three amps? If that is the case your power wire is too small. That 1000/1 would take a 4 ga alone. What size is the ground on the amps and caps? Your under hood wires sound fine but you defiently have to upgrade your amplifier and cap power wires.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 11,840
Likes: 0
From: Galloway NJ
Re: Lights... need some electrical help. (brianw21)
I double checked, it's 2 guage from the battery to the power distro, 4 guage from the distro's to the amps. 2 guage on ground as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,682
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Lights... need some electrical help. (Metal Wulf)
This is a very common problem on that JL1000/1, its very hungry for power.
Upgrading to 0 gauge to the power distro block should help. I'd eliminate the ground distro block and ground all the amps to a single point. I've never seen the need to combine it all back together then ground it again.
Upgrading to 0 gauge to the power distro block should help. I'd eliminate the ground distro block and ground all the amps to a single point. I've never seen the need to combine it all back together then ground it again.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Lights... need some electrical help. (brianw21)
It won't make any difference to your light dimming if you install larger wires to your audio equipment. The problem is the voltage regulator in the 250 amp alternator. The regulator cannot respond as fast as the current pulses from large bass program events. Run your audio eqt off a separate battery/alternator to eliminate light dimming during music passages.
