I just bought optima battery (red top) about a month ago and within the first couple of days my battery light started to flash. I didn't have my system up but I did have the rear and front defroster on. I brought the battery back and they checked to see if it had a charge and it was perfectly fine. So today I'm driving to work and I have my system on 5 volume and the rear defroster on and at a red light the battery light starts to strobe. Does this mean I need a new alternator because I used to have a Wal-Mart battery in my car and it never gave me a problem. Thanks

 

if your system is high powered over like 600w + then you would need a battery capacitor. None the less i tihnk you might need one anyway for system if your drawing alot of power for all electronic devices in your car. it should help. do you light dimmer and get brighter as the bass thumps? if yes then its surely that poblem

battery capacitor.

 

I have 2 bass caps if that is what you are talking about. In fact both of the times the battery light went on I had the bass all the way down and the volume was so low you could barely hear the music. I do notice that my lights still dim when I do play my music loud so I think that it might be something to do w/ the ground for my system

 

Check your stereos wiring. Also, you might want to check your alternator. You can do this by putting a DMM (one of those things that test volts ohms and amps) on your battery when the car is idle. You should have about 12.5V. Hold the car at 2500rpms (2nd person in the drivers seat works best) and check the voltage again. Should be around 13.5V. If it is less, you MAY have a bad/dying/weak alternator. Certain maximas between 97 and 98 have the alternator under recall so check into that if your car was manufactured then (not sure of the exact build months).