Power losses

Suby Roo · Post by **Suby Roo** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:47 am

When im driving at night time with the stereo cranked and lightn on, every time the sub starts going all the lights in the car dim.

I am thinking that either the alternator is on its way out or the battery is nearly stuffed??

Ideas?

Thanks, Jarrod

theclick · Post by **theclick** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:54 am

Its just drawing a lot of current, pretty typical. Happens in all the subs we've had.

How many watts (rms) is your amp drawing? I think the alternator is only rates for around 600watt

Suby Roo · Post by **Suby Roo** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:57 am

Oh well my amp draws 750 watt rms.. That could be the reason. It never used to do it and the other day it just started.

BrennyV · Post by **BrennyV** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:59 am

this will fix ya

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.as ... BCATID=595

Suby Roo · Post by **Suby Roo** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:05 am

BrennyV wrote:this will fix ya

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.as ... BCATID=595

Thats pretty cool but how does it work?? and where do i put it at lol

theclick · Post by **theclick** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:09 am

Suby Roo wrote:Thats pretty cool but how does it work?? and where do i put it at lol

It goes on the negative (??) side of the power input for the amp. Put it wherever you want, as long as its in line with the amp. Its a capacitor, so it stores energy, and uses some of that to cope with the bass hits. Smooths out the voltage drops and peaks in the system, and your sub will have better response.

Suby Roo · Post by **Suby Roo** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:21 am

Ah cool, Ill have to take a look into that then

BrennyV · Post by **BrennyV** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:12 pm

i have a mate that uses one and he loves it. was simple to install.

dwayneb · Post by **dwayneb** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:06 pm

Or you could turn the stereo down, amp off.

Suby Roo · Post by **Suby Roo** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:16 pm

dwayneb wrote:Or you could turn the stereo down, amp off.

I could.....

Nah too much fun with it on!

daveosubi · Post by **daveosubi** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:10 pm

Suby Roo wrote:I could.....

Nah too much fun with it on!

Or turn the head lights off

Im pretty sure they go inline with the amps positive input.

Ive read mixed reviews of them on car audio forums, id do some research first. You might be better off doing an alternator upgrade or a bigger battery or both, the capacitors seem like a band aid fix.

Suby Roo · Post by **Suby Roo** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:28 pm

Well im running a n70zz 4wd battery that only just fits in the space. Was thinking about getting a bigger alternator, or running a dual battery system.

BrennyV · Post by **BrennyV** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:35 pm

just get the cap and you will be fine

theclick · Post by **theclick** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:42 pm

I scoped out a high flow for the gen 2 lib i used to drive. Cheapest I could find was about 500, but then again, i didnt look too hard. Probably worth getting the cap