Dimming is bad...right?

[AmBo]

[*UPDATE*] Dimming is bad...right?

Hey all! Just installed a 12" Kicker CompVR and an 800watt Kenwood amp. When i crank up the bass, my lights are dimming. AHHH!

Do I need a capacitor? Will this help? I'm running 4 guage wire so it's deff getting it's power worth.

I would like to NOT blow an alternator. PLEASE HELP!

 

[Reider]

Yes dimming is bad.

Capacitors are not usually the best way to go as they are only "Bandaids" for electrical problems.

You might want to upgrade the "Big 3" - Alternater, Battery, and the wires between them. Instead of buying a capacitor, save up for a bigger alternator + wiring, and a battery if need be. If you are only running that amplifier then you probably do not have a huge problem yet.

Do you know how big your battery is and how many amps your alternator is?

 

[AmBo]

I have no idea. It's a 00 vert. stock everything aside from system and catback exhaust.

all my buds say capacitor should fix it. It's only 800 watts of power.

 

[93GreenLX]

Yeah upgrade the alternator and use a 4 gauge power wire...very simple and well worth the money..I just installed a 200amp

 

[Reider]

Just what 93GreenLX said

Why put a bandaid on a deep cut when you can stitch it up and fix the problem?

 

[Red2000GT]

Yes dimming is bad.

Capacitors are not usually the best way to go as they are only "Bandaids" for electrical problems.

You might want to upgrade the "Big 3" - Alternater, Battery, and the wires between them. Instead of buying a capacitor, save up for a bigger alternator + wiring, and a battery if need be. If you are only running that amplifier then you probably do not have a huge problem yet.

Do you know how big your battery is and how many amps your alternator is?

I don't want to start a flame war but I disagree with you. A stiffening cap is not a band-aid fix. Many many competition vehicles use only one battery and a decent alternator for power sources. Wire guage is very important as always. A stock 2000 stang has a 120 amp alternator,large enough to run the car and that 1 amp. I wouldn't hesitate to install the cap,but double check the ground connections for the amp itself AND the factory battery ground.
There are 2 things to remember when putting a larger battery and alt---
1)an alt is much like an engine-you trade low rpm power for high rpm power,so the bigger unit will have to be spun higher to get the additional current. At typical 1500-2000 rpm around town engine speeds the bigger one will put out less than the smaller one.
2)A bigger battery creates a bigger strain on the electrical system. You could have a 1000 cranking amp battery and it wouldn't help the dimming the least little bit. It doesn't "release" the current fast enough for musical purposes.

A cap is cheaper and an easier install than a new alt. But double check and upgrade as neccessary all the grounds in the car.

 

[Red2000GT]

Sorry-I just wanted to add that what Reider suggested is not wrong in any way,upgrading the battery and alt is a good idea,but not NECCESSARY. The cap will work just as well,safely,for less hassle and less money.

 

[93GreenLX]

Regardless of everything I think everyone can agree that upgrading the big 3 is a must. I also agree with Red2000GT a cap WILL more than likely solve your problems. I have a friend with 3 amps, a 600watt and 2 800watt and he has the stock battery and alternator. He has 2 1.0 farad caps and they solved his dimming problems. I on the other hand have a little more than that, but 2 1.0 farad caps solved my problem too. Just to be on the safe side I have the 2 caps, an Optima battery and a 200amp alternator.

 

[AmBo]

So if I look towards a cap, what brand should I be looking at? Any suggestions? I'm only running a Kenwood 800watt.

 

[93GreenLX]

Just go to any reputable audio shop and tell them what you need...honestly I'm not even sure what kind I have

 

[AmBo]

oh you didnt install urself? DOH! I like to save $ and do it all my own.

Anyone else have brand names?

 

[93GreenLX]

oh you didnt install urself? DOH! I like to save $ and do it all my own.

Anyone else have brand names?

Never said you had to have them install I said just go to any reputable audio shop and tell them what you need. I never said have them install it. Any reputable audio shop will carry good quality caps. What I meant by my statement was not to go to walmart or autozone or pepboys or anything to buy it and you'll have no worries about it being a quality cap

 

[BBrinks]

I'd also recommend upgrading the 'Magic 3' wires:
+ to alt.
- to ground
engine block to chassis

The stock amp should handle that amp fine, but if you still have dimming problems, then I'd check into a cap/higher amp. alternator.

 

[Red2000GT]

Anyone else have brand names?

We sell Rockford and Stinger where I work. Both are great but any recognizable car audio name should have one and will work. There's actually only 3 places in the entire world that make caps so you really only have 3 choices btw

 

[AmBo]

hey red, wanna get me a good deal on a cap?

 

[AmBo]

*UPDATE*
I changed the settings on my amp to not drain power, but I'm getting MORE bass! Does this make sense?

I turned on my LPF and set it to 0 I think and jacked my gain to about 1/4. Then I control the amount of bass from my HU. When it hits hard, the lights don't dim, but it is louder. I think this is good.

Does this make sense? Harder bass, no dim?

 

[93GreenLX]

Well if your subs aren't drawing any highs to them then actually they are working about the same or less because now you are playing only a limited number of tones...

 

[AmBo]

interesting