Ok i installed my system and everything was fine till at night when i turned on the lights to find them dimming.. Now i know the alternator is being over used but my issue is ive had a system on every car ive owned and never had this problem.. i have a POS battery that was in the car when i purchased it now im wondering if i need a high output alternator or new battery ie optima yellow top.. Im running a 1000w kenwood amp and 2 12" mtx terminators.. which isnt the most banging system ive had better and never had this issue.. Any help is greatly appreciated thanks!

 

You can upgrade the wire from battery to alternator and starter. Also do a ground from battery to body/ engine. I have never had to add a cap or bigger alternator to any of my cars and never had the dimming headlight problems.

 

i'm guessing the dimming headlights pretty much go to the bass line? first of all, you need a new battery, it probably is towards the end of its life and isn't supplying enough amps. Also, it would be a good idea to get a stiffening capacitor, so your battery doesn't have to work as hard and decrease life expectancy. your amp is trying to pull so much current and your battery can't supply it, so other components that you are using are going to be sacrificed so your amp can supply the power it needs. A capacitor will help fix this, being that you will have stored power for discharge. if your amp can't get the current it needs, the speakers will put such a load on the amp and kick on the overload and shut the amp down for a few seconds to prevent damage. hope this helps.

 

Yes it actually does but! Ive heard bad things about caps.. From what i gather they are for the once in a while spikes in bass not constant bass and they put strain on your battery also.. But im gonna get a Optima yellow top when i have the extra cash for now ive just lowered the bass to where it doesnt over draw power.. But thanks i had a feeling the battery had something to do with it i just wasnt aware as it ends its life it doesnt put as many amps out.. Makes sense though! My gf was the owner of this car before me and neglected it baddd she had it for 7 years so the battery hasnt been changed for that long at least and its a POS.. But anyway do you know anything about Capcells? That seems to be better then a plain old capacitor..

 

a capcell is basically a high tech capacitor. they are both used for storing voltage. basically, a capacitor stores electrons on the plate the power comes in. when you get too many electrons they move to the other plate. this is what we know as discharge. but honestly, with the system you have a yellow top is more than sufficient for your application. you don't need a capacitor, but they are nice to have and look cool. i have a yellow top in my car and i still haven't installed a capacitor. been spending on performance haha. but i'm running 2300 watts and 2 12" rockford p1's and my lights aren't dimming with this battery. had battery for 2 yrs. but lights did dim on a weaker system with a regular battery

 

That's good to know cause i was worried I'd have to get a HO alternator.. Which i'm not into driving with the music pumping all the time i got a 4 year old son now.. If it wasn't the battery I'd just say either leave it as is now which is at like 50%

 

yeah i would definitely try a new battery a yellow top would be great i love mine!