I didn't think I was going to need a cap/Optima battery even with my 300 watt amp...think again, I just put in a clarion head unit (45x4) and 4 speakers...ALREADY when I turn it up load and open the door (so all the door lights/dome is on) I can see the lights dim on bass notes! What's up with that? Even without interior lights you can see the head unit *slightly* flicker down on bass notes also when turned up. GOD I HATE MY LUCK!

PJ

PS-why me? I don't have money for a cap!

 

That should not be happening. I'd suspect a bad ground point or possibly your connection from the factory harness is starving power from the rest of the electrical system via the fusepanel. Also have you ever replaced your alternator or battery yet? this could be a sign that either or both are beginning to fail.

Have you considered wiring the headunit's +12V amd ACC using a relay and fed from the battery?

 

upgrade all the wires going to/from battery/chassis/alternator/etc. to 4 gauge wire. Then post back on here and tell us if the dimming is still there. Laters, Anton

 

First, are the headlights dimming or just the head unit lights? If it is just the head unit focus on rewiring that with heavier wire. The factory wire from the fuse box is pretty slim.

 

to see if it's the headlights dimming or just the interior and head units lights. Crutchfield said the same thing, this shouldn't be happening. What do you mean by a "bad ground"? I screwed the ground connector onto a metal piece (existing screw) behind the receiver. I'll tell you guys right now I can't rewire all that stuff. I don't have the know how, patience, ect. I WILL mess it up I am not good with wiring. I'm lucky I got all this to work.

PJ

 

That would be considered a possible bad ground spot. Meaning that you need to complete the ground circuit to a metal point that connects in some way to the vehicle chassis. Just picking a metal spot in the dash does not guarantee a clean completed circuit.

I grounded my headunit by running a ground wire to the support for the steering column under the dash near the firewall. I also added a chassis ground for the rear of my headunit to this same spot as well.