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Power losses
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:47 am
by Suby Roo
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
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:54 am
by theclick
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
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:57 am
by Suby Roo
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.
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:59 am
by BrennyV
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:05 am
by Suby Roo
Thats pretty cool but how does it work?? and where do i put it at lol
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:09 am
by theclick
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.
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:21 am
by Suby Roo
Ah cool, Ill have to take a look into that then
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:12 pm
by BrennyV
i have a mate that uses one and he loves it. was simple to install.
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:06 pm
by dwayneb
Or you could turn the stereo down, amp off.
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:16 pm
by Suby Roo
dwayneb wrote:Or you could turn the stereo down, amp off.
I could.....
Nah too much fun with it on!
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:10 pm
by daveosubi
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.
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:28 pm
by Suby Roo
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.
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:35 pm
by BrennyV
just get the cap and you will be fine
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:42 pm
by theclick
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