Is my system really using that much power???
Is my system really using that much power??? OK, so heres my problem, i installed two pioneer 800- watt peak amps and 2-12" kicker cvr's. I ran it all with 4- gauge wire directly to the battery. Whenever i crank up my system my battery gauge goes from 13 to the red dots with every hit of the bass. Although it shoots right back up to 13 after the bass shuts off. I wasn't sure if i need a new alternator or battery or whatever, but ive seen cars with stock alternators and batteries pushing much bigger systems than mine and thats why i was wondering. Ive had this installed for about a month and everything still works fine, even though it is really annoying at nite when my lights almost shut completly off with every hit of the bass. Jus lookin for some input and wonderin if anybody else has the same problem cuz i didnt think my system should have had such a hard effect on the vehicles electrical system.
Thanks, Justin
Thanks, Justin
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 1
id have both the battery and alternator checked it shouldnt be dimming that much, but with that said where did you tap in for your amps power directly at the battery, or at that auxilary battery terminal
if at the auxilary battery terminal this could be half your problem
if at the auxilary battery terminal this could be half your problem
your answer Mine never goes into the red and I have a decent sized system. I also have never had the need for a cap either. I would say that as long as everything is charging correctly and good wire was used for the power AND grounds, you shouldn't have any problems. People often overlook the importance of good grounds. I don't even run an Optima battery or anything...just a Bosch that came with the car when I bought it!!
To answer your question woswill the gauge wire you use makes a big difference in how much power your amp can draw. The further from the battery your amp is the thicker gauge wire you want to use. Same as if you were doing a battery relocation to some extent.
To answer your question woswill the gauge wire you use makes a big difference in how much power your amp can draw. The further from the battery your amp is the thicker gauge wire you want to use. Same as if you were doing a battery relocation to some extent.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo yea it runs at 14.1 er sumthin, i jus said 13 cuz its the number on the gauge. I boutght an optima red top today, so ill see if that helps anything. Im plannin on getting a ho alternator either way. I was jus wondering if it was normal for my system to be taking that much power from the car. Thanks for the replies guys.
Justin
Justin
i already have a 5 farad cap that i put in a week ago and it did make a difference but not as much of one as i would have liked. I think a ho alternator will solve all of my problems so im jus gonna get that.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 1
idk if you saw my first post but is ur power wire connected to battery or aux power terminal
on my buddies 97 TA i put in a jblbp1200.1 and a 4 channel monoblock is 1200rms and the 4 channel is 65x4 lights dim a bit at full tilt but nothing as bad as ur describing
on my buddies 97 TA i put in a jblbp1200.1 and a 4 channel monoblock is 1200rms and the 4 channel is 65x4 lights dim a bit at full tilt but nothing as bad as ur describing
Yeah I would definitely double-check your wiring. Also check your gains. Your 800 watt peak amps are probably rated at like 300-400watts RMS (RMS the important number - peak is just a marketing tool and worthless to measure performance by). You really shouldn't be having the problems you say you are having. Make sure your amp gains aren't turned up too high and that the load on the amp is correct.
mine was dpoing the same i have an alpine Mrd-m1000 pushing a premier TS-W3002SPL and my infinity 7540a with the stock batt it would go to red it really dosnt drain to like 5 volts i was watching my volts on my amp and it was dropping to 10.3 but the needle was on red i replaced it with an orbital and even with the stocl alt it never goes past half and on the volts it dosnt drop below 12.3 hitin keeping on the gas like on the freeway it runs at13.9 it will adventally kill that stock batt
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Upgrade your "big 3" too. I recommend 2ga or larger (1/0 or simply 0 ga is common these days). And ditch the capacitor once you get the alternator in. It'll just be an unnecessary load. Sell it on Ebay or something.
I know all my wiring is right. I used 4 gauge for power and ground. Im running the subs at 2 Ohms. Each amp has 360W @ 2 ohms and can handle 2 ohms fine. I dontn know whats wrong with my electical system. If anyone else has had or has this problem. please help me out.. thanks
