Help me Out
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 3
From: Champaign/Chicagoland
Originally Posted by 00transamnh
a better amplifier should fix it, but there usually isnt much you can do
A new higher output alternator is the most effective way to improve the charging system. The fact that your battery died is likely due to the fact that your alternator couldn't keep up with power demands. Check the specs on the alternator if you purchase one first -- some high output alternators don't make their power till higher in the RPM range and wont do you any good at idle, and could be worse than stock at idle.
I have a 200 amp alternator from Excessive Amperage... it will put out over 100 amps at idle 
It fixed a lot of my dimming issues... I think the only true way to fix it is to run the stereo off a seperate battery.
It fixed a lot of my dimming issues... I think the only true way to fix it is to run the stereo off a seperate battery.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 3
From: Champaign/Chicagoland
Originally Posted by Jeresous
Wouldn't a capacitor likely fix this as well?
Check your charging system's wires -- there have been cases where upgrading them to a larger size may help as well; this is known as the "big 3", consisting of alternator to battery, battery to chassis, and chassis to engine connections. This mod is debatable, and when it does help it usually isn't anything more than adding a capacitor to the system.
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Originally Posted by Jeresous
Wouldn't a capacitor likely fix this as well?
a cap will help with the dimming (to a point), but it won't do anything to stop the new battery from dying again.
the same goes for just throwing an additional battery in there, if you don't have a powerplant (alternator) with enough "oomph" to keep them both charged, it's just a matter of time before the battery (or batteries), and possibly even the alternator itself end up dying on you.
to fix it the "right" way, look into a higher-output alternator, just do like fredmr39 said and make sure that it puts out higher amperage throughout the RPM range, and not just at higher RPM's
however, it would still be a good idea to get a cap in addition to a better alternator, simply for the fact that capacitors are intended to be discharged quickly, and a battery is not. this means that when the bass hits hard, your amp will get the power it needs as quickly as it needs it, without stressing your battery as much.
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TECH Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 1
From: Texas
You can still get the dim even if you have a high output alternator.
The capacitor (1f for ever 1000watts) is used when energy is needed very quickly such as a sudden bass note.
I would get the cap first and put the + as close to the amps + as you can get it.
If it still does it and it still bothers you then get the HO alt.
The capacitor (1f for ever 1000watts) is used when energy is needed very quickly such as a sudden bass note.
I would get the cap first and put the + as close to the amps + as you can get it.
If it still does it and it still bothers you then get the HO alt.