HEy guys
I Have just installed my new car audio system its bin 3 months and my headlights bulb and brake light bulbs have fused and everytime i make the volume high the light dims with the bass...Are power capacitors of any help for this?and what can i do to avoid these bulbs popping out...Can anyone advice me on that
Replies (10)
cplkittle on 07/15/2004 15:37:42
Caps may help, but it sounds to me like you may need to look in to a higher output alternator. A deep cell battery with high CCAs (1000+) will also help alot here.
It sounds like you have a serious voltage drop (which causes the amperage to elevate) this will blow fuses, bulbs, computers, etc..
What size amplifiers do you have and what size wires are you using to feed these amps?
chursy on 07/15/2004 15:40:17
I have a ALpine 5 channel Mrv 450.......and i m using autoleads wiring 8 AUg i think...or 6 i think they are.. autoleads
cplkittle on 07/15/2004 15:44:20
Try upgrading to a 4 gauge wire and see if that helps.. I think it will help some, but I still believe either the higher output alt, a deep cycle high CCA battery or both will prolong the life of your vehicle's entire electrical system.
chursy on 07/15/2004 15:49:20
would power capacitors help by any chance cause that takes the load of the battery....cause i think these lights are blowing cause of electricit fluctuations....and the battery isnt powerful enough to support it... so would it be better chaing the battery or installing a power capacitor or both
cplkittle on 07/15/2004 15:57:54
caps are like small batteries only they can put out voltage alot faster than a battery can. once they are drained, they are going to try to recharge themselves causing even more of a problem.
A larger wire from the battery will help more than a 1 farad cap here. I know it is a lot of money, but it is also preventative maintenence. Do you know what size alternator you have now?
chursy on 07/15/2004 16:01:29
i have no idea....about that...whats an alternator.... so basicallly u are suggesting that a i should replace the power cable to avoid this..but when i consulted with people the wiring kit seemed right...but anyways...what about replacing the battery...with a higher voltage ?would that work....and what should i go for i think the amp is aobut 700 RMS in power its a 5 channel dont know whether you know the exact...rms cause i dont remember it quite...?please recommend any suitable battery wattage
cplkittle on 07/15/2004 16:21:53
basically that amplifier is pulling 56amps at its RMS (assuming your power system is averaging 12.5 volts) Most alternators produce between 70-90 amps at 3,500 rpm. basically if you are stopped at a redlight, your alt is putting out 35-45 amps-not enough for your stereo system alone not to mention the headlights, AC, etc..
I would go no lower than 900 CCAs on the battery.
swez on 07/15/2004 17:06:39
If you have a smaller Import, chances are good that this car has a pretty small alternator (ALT) and modest battery. (BAT) The system you mentioned is large enough to pull enough current to alter electrical performance on the stock ALT/BAT.
The basics:
1. The car needs about 40-50 amperes of current to run properly
2. The car needs adequate amperage storage (buffer) to start and operate all key electrical devices
3. In warmer months, we use A/C (a lot) and that system draws even more current from the system
Detail steps:
Need to have your charging system checked. Can get it done free at most AutoZone parts stores.
1. Have them check the car charging system with A/C, lights and audio off. Ask the numbers they get at idle and 2,000 rpm. (write them down)
2. Now, check it again with you A/C, high beams and stereo cranking at what you consider loud. Again, get the numbers at idle and 2,000 RPM. (write them down too)
Chances are very good the voltage and current numbers they give you when they do the 2nd test will show a considerable difference. The voltage number will probably drop and the current output from the ALT will too. That means your electrical system is not up to task with the audio system drawing extra power. All parts of the electrical system, are now starving for power that is simpler not available. Hense, blown lamps, fuses, stalled car and won't start w/o a jump etc.
This amp will pull close to 50 amperes of current at near full power. If your ALT is only 75 amps or less, then the battery takes over for a while to make up the difference. Since the stock battery is probably small (500 CCA rating) it does not take long to destabilize the system and wierd things begin to happen.
The Fix:
Need a larger power plant in this car now. A high output ALT, a larger CCA rated BAT and maybe larger power cable to amp.
1. Start cheap and get a larger CCA rated battery. If you can fit one in there, look for something close to 1000 CCA rated. this will give you much more current storage capacity. These cost about the same as a decent CAP and much more effective
2. Look for a higher output ALT that will drop right in to your existing mounts. A rebuilt is much cheaper than new from a good autoparts store or go to a custome rebuilder and have them tweak yours up at leasy 50 amperes higher.
3. The wire to your amp should be a min of #8 gage. A larger wire gage here can help feed the amp more efficently too. Like the 1/2" VS 3/4" garden hose, you get better flow in 3/4" hoses.
OK, that's about it until oyu have your electrical system tested. Do you undcerstand the issues and steps to correct them? Why did I not have this issue when the amp was installed???? A/C is pushing the limits and the BAT is wearing down too.
Swez
chursy on 07/15/2004 19:08:53
thanks alot Swez i will get it checked....you have given a very detailed info which has been really helpfulll...This site and Admin ROcks...;)
ttocs on 07/16/2004 17:43:02
It would not blow the headlight fuses if the amp is pulling current from them. There has to be a different problem. If you system wiring is causing problems with the headlights there is something really wrong... There may be a dimmer wire in the dash that will somtimes effect the head/tail lights.. What deck is in there, and who installed it?
I Have just installed my new car audio system its bin 3 months and my headlights bulb and brake light bulbs have fused and everytime i make the volume high the light dims with the bass...Are power capacitors of any help for this?and what can i do to avoid these bulbs popping out...Can anyone advice me on that
Replies (10)
cplkittle on 07/15/2004 15:37:42
Caps may help, but it sounds to me like you may need to look in to a higher output alternator. A deep cell battery with high CCAs (1000+) will also help alot here.
It sounds like you have a serious voltage drop (which causes the amperage to elevate) this will blow fuses, bulbs, computers, etc..
What size amplifiers do you have and what size wires are you using to feed these amps?
chursy on 07/15/2004 15:40:17
I have a ALpine 5 channel Mrv 450.......and i m using autoleads wiring 8 AUg i think...or 6 i think they are.. autoleads
cplkittle on 07/15/2004 15:44:20
Try upgrading to a 4 gauge wire and see if that helps.. I think it will help some, but I still believe either the higher output alt, a deep cycle high CCA battery or both will prolong the life of your vehicle's entire electrical system.
chursy on 07/15/2004 15:49:20
would power capacitors help by any chance cause that takes the load of the battery....cause i think these lights are blowing cause of electricit fluctuations....and the battery isnt powerful enough to support it... so would it be better chaing the battery or installing a power capacitor or both
cplkittle on 07/15/2004 15:57:54
caps are like small batteries only they can put out voltage alot faster than a battery can. once they are drained, they are going to try to recharge themselves causing even more of a problem.
A larger wire from the battery will help more than a 1 farad cap here. I know it is a lot of money, but it is also preventative maintenence. Do you know what size alternator you have now?
chursy on 07/15/2004 16:01:29
i have no idea....about that...whats an alternator.... so basicallly u are suggesting that a i should replace the power cable to avoid this..but when i consulted with people the wiring kit seemed right...but anyways...what about replacing the battery...with a higher voltage ?would that work....and what should i go for i think the amp is aobut 700 RMS in power its a 5 channel dont know whether you know the exact...rms cause i dont remember it quite...?please recommend any suitable battery wattage
cplkittle on 07/15/2004 16:21:53
basically that amplifier is pulling 56amps at its RMS (assuming your power system is averaging 12.5 volts) Most alternators produce between 70-90 amps at 3,500 rpm. basically if you are stopped at a redlight, your alt is putting out 35-45 amps-not enough for your stereo system alone not to mention the headlights, AC, etc..
I would go no lower than 900 CCAs on the battery.
swez on 07/15/2004 17:06:39
If you have a smaller Import, chances are good that this car has a pretty small alternator (ALT) and modest battery. (BAT) The system you mentioned is large enough to pull enough current to alter electrical performance on the stock ALT/BAT.
The basics:
1. The car needs about 40-50 amperes of current to run properly
2. The car needs adequate amperage storage (buffer) to start and operate all key electrical devices
3. In warmer months, we use A/C (a lot) and that system draws even more current from the system
Detail steps:
Need to have your charging system checked. Can get it done free at most AutoZone parts stores.
1. Have them check the car charging system with A/C, lights and audio off. Ask the numbers they get at idle and 2,000 rpm. (write them down)
2. Now, check it again with you A/C, high beams and stereo cranking at what you consider loud. Again, get the numbers at idle and 2,000 RPM. (write them down too)
Chances are very good the voltage and current numbers they give you when they do the 2nd test will show a considerable difference. The voltage number will probably drop and the current output from the ALT will too. That means your electrical system is not up to task with the audio system drawing extra power. All parts of the electrical system, are now starving for power that is simpler not available. Hense, blown lamps, fuses, stalled car and won't start w/o a jump etc.
This amp will pull close to 50 amperes of current at near full power. If your ALT is only 75 amps or less, then the battery takes over for a while to make up the difference. Since the stock battery is probably small (500 CCA rating) it does not take long to destabilize the system and wierd things begin to happen.
The Fix:
Need a larger power plant in this car now. A high output ALT, a larger CCA rated BAT and maybe larger power cable to amp.
1. Start cheap and get a larger CCA rated battery. If you can fit one in there, look for something close to 1000 CCA rated. this will give you much more current storage capacity. These cost about the same as a decent CAP and much more effective
2. Look for a higher output ALT that will drop right in to your existing mounts. A rebuilt is much cheaper than new from a good autoparts store or go to a custome rebuilder and have them tweak yours up at leasy 50 amperes higher.
3. The wire to your amp should be a min of #8 gage. A larger wire gage here can help feed the amp more efficently too. Like the 1/2" VS 3/4" garden hose, you get better flow in 3/4" hoses.
OK, that's about it until oyu have your electrical system tested. Do you undcerstand the issues and steps to correct them? Why did I not have this issue when the amp was installed???? A/C is pushing the limits and the BAT is wearing down too.
Swez
chursy on 07/15/2004 19:08:53
thanks alot Swez i will get it checked....you have given a very detailed info which has been really helpfulll...This site and Admin ROcks...;)
ttocs on 07/16/2004 17:43:02
It would not blow the headlight fuses if the amp is pulling current from them. There has to be a different problem. If you system wiring is causing problems with the headlights there is something really wrong... There may be a dimmer wire in the dash that will somtimes effect the head/tail lights.. What deck is in there, and who installed it?
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