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my lights dim
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by 141897m
Start New Question Here -- Back to TreeYear Make Model: 1997 ford thunderbird LX I put a kendwood equalizer a 600
watt kenwood amp and a
10 inch kicker in my car and im
having problems my light keep
dimming and I keep getting told
that it not a good thing what can I do to
stop that from happening???Reply Posted: 01/15/2010 12:42:33 by: 
swez Old Man Audio
What model number sub and amp do you have in there now and what gage wire was used to feed this amp? Knowing these parameters, we can offer some ideas to counteract the light dimming.
In the meantime, you may want to drop by your local car parts shop, (AutoZone, Pep Boys) and ask them to check out the output of your ALT and state of the BAT. If either are weak or damaged, that will need to ne addressed.
Swez
Reply Posted: 01/15/2010 12:54:54 by: 141897m http://www.amazon.com/Kicker-Comp-C104-Component-Subwoofer/dp/B0002DFK0U/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263581417&sr=8-3
http://cgi.ebay.com/Kenwood-KAC-7285-600-watt-amp_W0QQitemZ300386389349QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Amplifiers?hash=item45f06c8d65
these are similar to mine just the sub is a different color i have checked all of the the alternater is good the the battery is 7or 8 months oldReply Posted: 01/15/2010 19:05:51 by: Hum, this is a pretty modest bass package and probably fused at 20 x 2. That tells me it's about 300 watts RMS when bridged to a 4 ohm sub.
Light dimming is rare on a small amp like this unless the ground connection is not good. (Bare metal ground) The stock ALT for this car is probably the CS-130 series, 105A output @ 14.4 volts, 2200 RPM.
If regrounding the amp does not help, your next step is the Big 3 wiring upgrade:
http://www.clubknowledge.com/cgi-bin/car_audio_faq/faq.cgi?g6499
SwezReply Posted: 01/17/2010 07:06:11 by: basshead396 I had the same problem on a friends car. Like swez said you more than likly have a vehicle ground problem do the big three and it should stop the problem.
Reply Posted: 01/17/2010 17:25:45 by: 141897m my uncle had the same problem when the amp was in his car
but he had 2 subs and im just running one
yup the amp does have the 2 20 fuses
where can i find these wires
how much do they usually cost
i just moved the ground wire i hope thats the source of the problem
Reply Posted: 01/17/2010 20:35:25 by: For the system we have been looking forward to, #4 power wire is the right gage for both the Big 3 and powering both amps. (Sub and 4 channel)
You can buy #4 gage braided in bulk lengths and just do point to point wiring on the Big 3 upgrade and then go from there to power your amps in the back. Just leave the stock electrical wires in place under the hood and add #4 to each part of the charging and ground system. The Big 3 is simply this:
1. ALT output lug to BAT Pos terminal
2. BAT Neg terminal to body/chassis ground
3. Engine block ground to chassis
Tech Tip: When using an aftermarket HU/Radio, do not used the factory harness ground! Ground the HU to the firewall or floor pan. (Bare metal required)
Got all that?
SwezReply Posted: 01/18/2010 03:46:35 by: Duran Just moving the ground to another part of the sheet metal may not solve the problem, the best route would be to ground directly to the battery. At least to the vehicles frame.
Reply Posted: 01/23/2010 12:40:37 by: 141897m alright that sound good so how much does the #4 gage wire usually cost
Reply Posted: 01/23/2010 16:16:56 by: The price of #4 wire varies a lot depending on the brand name, quality of the wire and who you buy it from. Low budget wires from say WalMart are cheap, but the actual amount of copper used may not be desireable. (It says 1000 watts rated, but could be #6 gage wire) Some vendors play that game to keep costs low, but the consumer is not getting what they really need.
Hasve used Monster, Knukonceptz and other generic brands before. I have found KnuK to be a solid product for a very good price. Their RCA's are good and much of the install hardware I've used was very good too
http://www.knukonceptz.com/productMaster.cfm?Category=Power%20Wire
Swez
PS StreetWires, Rockford and Schoche products are good options too. Why spend huge money on Monster or Stinger products that just carry a good brand and expensive too?Reply Posted: 02/7/2010 11:17:59 by: 141897m sounds good ill do that hopefully that works
everything out thanksguysReply Posted: 02/7/2010 19:24:02 by: Try to stick with brand names that give you what you pay for. Street Wires and Knu are both quality products and if you shop around the prices are reasonable too. (Rockford is good too)
After installing a full system with Knu products, found them very easy to use and of good quality too. I don't think they are sold at retail shops, but after the order came in and we installed all the parts, better than average for the price and very good shipping time too.
SwezBack to Tree
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