Calling the electrical guys
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Orlando Fl
Calling the electrical guys
I have a C5 with a 1 year old yellow top battery. Once I moved to Florida, I've noticed that the voltage in the car drops to around 12 in the heat and I often have the stereo blank-out on me when I turn it up a bit and need some power for the drivers. My question is, do you think the battery is shot OR the alternator isn't working as it should be?
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From: San Diego Ca
Heat is the biggest culprit in any stereo system, but you dohave some options. 1st I would check all of your wiring used to power you amps. If you have more than one you will need to get a power distribution block from radio shack or your local installer. 2nd if all of your connections are good and not corroded than check the wires used to ground the amps. 3rd you may want to consider up grading you wires, especially if you a using 8 guage or less. Keep in mind if you upgrade the power wire besure to up grade the ground at the same time. 4th after you have done all of that and you still have the same problem you my want to consider getting a 1.0 farad cap. That way you can blast all you want and your voltage should stay the same. As for your alternator if it was going bad you will see that your voltage gauge will be bouncing around and then your car will be hard to start, this is the beginning just before it gives up its ghost as you are doing 80 mph or more and your car dies out on you. These are my .o2 on it hope it helps.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Orlando Fl
Thanks Splash - It was a high grade installation and did use all your wiring suggestions. The Farad cap IS something Ive been considering but don't know if they really work. What also has me wondering is that the voltage system will often only run around 12 volts when its hot - with NO stereo on... So:
Do yellow tops go bad that soon and are they serviceable?
Any other symptoms that an altenator is going bad? (Mine doesnt vaselate any more than I've indicated)
Do yellow tops go bad that soon and are they serviceable?
Any other symptoms that an altenator is going bad? (Mine doesnt vaselate any more than I've indicated)
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Orlando Fl
Originally Posted by TorqueWinsRaces
It sounds to me like your alternator may be going bad.
Yes, a 1 Farad cap works.
Yes, a 1 Farad cap works.
(any recommendations on a farad cap?)
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by webdzynes
The car starts fine - lights work good... Could it be the battery?
(any recommendations on a farad cap?)
(any recommendations on a farad cap?)
You might also look at a one farad cap ... so funny, but I JUST talked to my stereo guys about a cap and they said I probably didn't even need one with a yellow top. I hope some of this helps.
BTW, I'm running a 600W amp, one 12" sub, an Alpine DVD, NAV, Rear view camera, and all component speakers. I have had no issues since I found the loose wires.
Good luck 
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From: San Diego Ca
Even though you had a high grade install S..t happens I would still check it. As far as the cap is concerned alot of companys sell them you just have to look around and quality depends on weight so be careful. I agree with myvettedream get your charging system checked or if you have volt meter you can check it yourself.
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Safety Car
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From: Orlando Fl
Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
I had the same exact thing ... I thought heat (possible factor) ... I thought alternator (Do a load test and check it), mine turned out to be a loose wire ... check all your power connections and grounds. It shouldn't take you too long, but make sure you check the plugs / connectors. Those things also get loose sometimes.
You might also look at a one farad cap ... so funny, but I JUST talked to my stereo guys about a cap and they said I probably didn't even need one with a yellow top. I hope some of this helps.
BTW, I'm running a 600W amp, one 12" sub, an Alpine DVD, NAV, Rear view camera, and all component speakers. I have had no issues since I found the loose wires. Good luck
You might also look at a one farad cap ... so funny, but I JUST talked to my stereo guys about a cap and they said I probably didn't even need one with a yellow top. I hope some of this helps.
BTW, I'm running a 600W amp, one 12" sub, an Alpine DVD, NAV, Rear view camera, and all component speakers. I have had no issues since I found the loose wires.
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by webdzynes
I run (but not that loudly - you can talk to the passenger) 2 - 500/1 JL sub amps and 1 300/2 amp. They power a 3-way set of Dyne Audio speakers, 1-12w7 sub and 2 -10w6v2 subs. But again, not that loudly. USED to crank it but over the past 6 months, the power reserve has gotten low enough that the volume is quite low. What wires do you recommend looking at? It would seem if the connection is consistent (it plays without issue until its turned up a bit), the wires are OK. I'm not sure I follow....
Dave Q.
Last edited by MyVetteDream; Oct 21, 2004 at 11:00 PM.
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From: San Diego Ca
Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
First off, I would look into Monster Cables ... I don't know what wire you're running now, but power should be around 10-12 gauge. The reason I'm suspecting a short, is if your system hasn't had problems before, check the simplest things. Start with the connections. If the battery is ok, and the alternator is charging properly, the volts are going somewhere. The only other place is loose connections (power and grounds).
Dave Q.
Dave Q.
I am sprry but I must disagree with your power wire selection, that is entirely to small you need to use at least 8 gauge or lower. Now lets not get confused here either the higher the gauge number the smaller the wire and so on. I hope this clears up somethings, and monster cable is a good brand to go with also.
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Safety Car
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From: Orlando Fl
Thanks guys - I use 8 guage to a distribution block and then 12 guage to the amps.
How can I be sure when the voltage is checked, its not having an "OK moment"? When they're going, is the voltage typically down, and if so, consistently?
How can I be sure when the voltage is checked, its not having an "OK moment"? When they're going, is the voltage typically down, and if so, consistently?
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by webdzynes
Thanks guys - I use 8 guage to a distribution block and then 12 guage to the amps.
How can I be sure when the voltage is checked, its not having an "OK moment"? When they're going, is the voltage typically down, and if so, consistently?
How can I be sure when the voltage is checked, its not having an "OK moment"? When they're going, is the voltage typically down, and if so, consistently?
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: San Diego Ca
My friend after reviewing your system again and whay you are running for your distri box. BRO YOU NEED TO UPGRADE YOUR WIRE ASAP. 3 high power amps in any systems demands a 4-2 gauge wiring all around. That also mean that your ground will need to be the same size. Think of it this way the electrons running through your wire are like cars on a highway going to vegas (the amp) and your speakers (the casino owners) need there power (money). How do you get more of it is by making a bigger highway i.e. larger wire in and out. That is as simple as I can put it with out going into electronics. Also with the larger wire you will be pulling lesser amps thus bring the heat down on your amps.
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by splash
My friend after reviewing your system again and whay you are running for your distri box. BRO YOU NEED TO UPGRADE YOUR WIRE ASAP. 3 high power amps in any systems demands a 4-2 gauge wiring all around. That also mean that your ground will need to be the same size. Think of it this way the electrons running through your wire are like cars on a highway going to vegas (the amp) and your speakers (the casino owners) need there power (money). How do you get more of it is by making a bigger highway i.e. larger wire in and out. That is as simple as I can put it with out going into electronics. Also with the larger wire you will be pulling lesser amps thus bring the heat down on your amps.
Very well put splash!