hi. i just put in an amp and head unit in my 2000 xlt. now when i pound da bass, my headlights dim just a little bit, what is the proper soluton to fix this ?

 

capacitor, bigger battery, bigger alternator... you pick.

what system are you running?

 

A capacitor is the easiest thing, I have cap and a optima yellow top battery and it fixed my lights for diming. What size is your amp?

 

Start with the "big 3"


depending on current draw you may be able to get away with just a cap.

 

turn it down. or do what they said. I just turn it down, too cheap to mess with anything right now.

 

I'm running a 1600W right off a walmart battery and I don't notice any difference in my headlights no matter how hard I have it pounding

 

x2, i made a thread on it...search for "official big 3"

 

whats the current rating on the fuses in the amp?


if your pulling over 40-50 amps you really need a new alt and battery.


P.S. The walmart battery i got lil over a year ago is already worthless. Im going with a red top when this one pukes.

 

x3 Never resort to a Cap. those are bandages for weak systems.

 

I think it's only pulling 20 or 30. I know for sure it's not over 30. This battery does not last long at all. I'm going to out to buy an optima sometime soon after I get the rest of my work done

 

As long as the regular constant draw isn't above the surpluss, a capacitor would be the easiest way to fix the very brief thumps. A capacitor will not fix anything more than a quick thump. Continuous draws require a higher output alternator.

The battery should be meaningless while the truck is running. The alternator should be the only thing supplying power. If you are drawing more current than you alternator can supply, it will fall back on the battery. This means the battery is not charging. This means it is not going to start the truck again pretty soon.

If you are only listening to the stereo with the engine running, then pay no attention to the battery. The only thing it needs to do is start the truck and the standard battery is more than enough. Upgrading the battery would be like sending the power company more money than you were billed for at your house.

If you are listening to the stereo with the engine off frequently, this is the only time you need to worry about upgrading the battery. You will need some kind of deep cycle battery for that. The Optima yellow top is popular. Of course, you will also need the alternator capacity, just like above.

 

I'm running a quality true 1000rms for my system, subs and highs. I have a yellowtop, big 3 wiring upgrade, and 5farad capacitor and my lights still dim, but i've never had any problems.
The amperage fuse rating of my 800rms Soundstream sub amp is 130A, and my 4-channel Alpine is 20A. So I'm running about 150A max on a stock alt with no problems...yet. Also running an e-fan and Hellas.

 

x4...if you buy a cap, it's just adding weight to your truck...they even out power spikes...but it's not a fix for dimming...it just masks it

 

yes and no

It helps to keep the draw at relative constant which keep your voltage regulator from dying.