Cap thread got me thinking!
Cap thread got me thinking! I have a 160 amp alt and an Optima Red top. In the day time, when everything is off. The ac is off as well, my volt gauge will peg in the red. It does it when I'm playing hard bass songs. From rock to country. I dont know my rms, but it's no more than 1500-2000 for the amps I'm running. I've heard it's not good to run Redtops with huge stereo systems.
My quesion is, should I just go to a yellow top? Would it help. I have a Yellow top in my wifes Trailblazer. My system is pretty much 2x's bigger than hers. Should I swap out batteries and see if it makes a difference? I really dont want to run 2 batteries. I also dont like the way caps look. But I guess they could be hidden.
I haven't upgraded my alt/battery wiring yet either. I have the wire, just been being lazy. Would it be better to upgrade the factory wiring first? To see how much it helps. I think my car runs different with the radio up. Like little idle issues.
My quesion is, should I just go to a yellow top? Would it help. I have a Yellow top in my wifes Trailblazer. My system is pretty much 2x's bigger than hers. Should I swap out batteries and see if it makes a difference? I really dont want to run 2 batteries. I also dont like the way caps look. But I guess they could be hidden.
I haven't upgraded my alt/battery wiring yet either. I have the wire, just been being lazy. Would it be better to upgrade the factory wiring first? To see how much it helps. I think my car runs different with the radio up. Like little idle issues.
it maybe the guage being your problem. You really should put a meter on the system when your playing it to verifiy the voltage.
If your running an aftermarket alternator, the factory voltmeter isn't recommeded.
You also should verify the current draw of your amps before making any decisions. Depending on your power reguirements, new wiring maybe a good solution. Yes, the yellow top is worth swapping out for any aftermarket system.
If your running an aftermarket alternator, the factory voltmeter isn't recommeded.
You also should verify the current draw of your amps before making any decisions. Depending on your power reguirements, new wiring maybe a good solution. Yes, the yellow top is worth swapping out for any aftermarket system.
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Nash-Vegas
I doubt you are gonna solve your problem by switching the battery. Yes, the yellow top is better for car stereo than the red top, but its the strain on the stock alternator caused by your amplifire that is causing your volt gauge to dip. I would suggest a 180-200 amp alternator upgrade. A cap will help some, but I would start with a higher amp alternator. I used my stock alternator with my 1200 watt car stereo and a 1 fared digital cap and I still had the volt gauge dipping and lights dimming some.
Originally Posted by CamaroSS615
I doubt you are gonna solve your problem by switching the battery. Yes, the yellow top is better for car stereo than the red top, but its the strain on the stock alternator caused by your amplifire that is causing your volt gauge to dip. I would suggest a 180-200 amp alternator upgrade. A cap will help some, but I would start with a higher amp alternator. I used my stock alternator with my 1200 watt car stereo and a 1 fared digital cap and I still had the volt gauge dipping and lights dimming some.
We already went over this. A poor ground or lack of power causes dimming lights. Do you not comprehend? A yellow top provides a constant voltage. Never said it was a solution. He's using a factory voltage guage with an aftermarket alternator. First thing to do is verifty the voltage, a meter is the first step. I bet it's not spiking at all.
Last edited by wickedwarlock; Jul 25, 2006 at 11:32 AM.
Upgrade your big 3 first, 2 gauge wire on all or better. That's your choke point, period.
A yellowtop won't be noticeably better unless the car is off for a while. Your red top is fine. Your wiring simply can't allow that much current through it.
Alternator, big 3 (2 gauge or bigger with 1000 watts and up), and a yellow top and you should be golden. I've used caps but their applications and effectiveness are limited. With alternator, battery, and big 3 - you should not need one.
big 3! big 3! big 3! Don't waste your time or money with anything else until you do that.
A yellowtop won't be noticeably better unless the car is off for a while. Your red top is fine. Your wiring simply can't allow that much current through it.
Alternator, big 3 (2 gauge or bigger with 1000 watts and up), and a yellow top and you should be golden. I've used caps but their applications and effectiveness are limited. With alternator, battery, and big 3 - you should not need one.
big 3! big 3! big 3! Don't waste your time or money with anything else until you do that.
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: Nash-Vegas
Originally Posted by wickedwarlock
Don't get me started on caps again. We already went over this. A poor ground or lack of power causes dimming lights. Do you not comprehend? A yellow top provides a constant voltage. Never said it was a solution. He's using a factory voltage guage with an aftermarket alternator.
First thing to do is verifty the voltage, a meter is the first step. I bet it's not spiking at all.
We already went over this. A poor ground or lack of power causes dimming lights. Do you not comprehend? A yellow top provides a constant voltage. Never said it was a solution. He's using a factory voltage guage with an aftermarket alternator. First thing to do is verifty the voltage, a meter is the first step. I bet it's not spiking at all.
Easy Ol' Wicked of the warlock, BTW what is that a dorky video game or something?
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