Hey there --

I'm gonna install a new stereo soon with a screen, deck, new speakers,
amp and woofer...my alternator already dims a little when I hit the brakes,
so, what will happen when the new I.C.E. is in???

new alternator? (well, rebuilt...)
add a single farad capacitor?
swap my battery for an Optima?

all thoughts accepted!!!

thanks,
FLO_BOY

 

all of the above might help you ( it all depends how much power your going to run)

if you running more then 500 rms i suggest you get all 3

 

an alternator upgrade would most lie\kely solve all your problems, and a cap would help stiffen the voltage even though if you upgraded the alternator you probably wouldn't need the cap. the battery probably will make no differnce whatsoever.

 

thanks!
btw, I went to "Woodlands Secondary"....mind you, that was in Mississauga, Canada...

FLO_BOY

 

I'm running about 1400 watts total to my system. I had a cap installed with my system but still got heavy dimming while driving with my lights on (starting at around 10 on my volume). I installed an Optima Yellow Top and now I get faint dimming only when I have my system on full blast (volume at 19 or 20 now) and only when the song has a lot of heavy bass. As of right now I don't need an upgraded alternator.

I also have a screen (that's why I bought the battery---so I can run the screen & xbox with the engine off) and I have played games for an hour and a half and my car started fine.

 

upgrading the stock wiring will help too. 4 AWG is fine. there is a thread on page 2 that was talking about this.

here is the thread clicky to see

 

yea definitely upgrade the wiring (to atleast 4AWG) under the hood: battery to chassis ground, and alternator to chassis, stuff like that

i wouldn't get a cap if it were my car...i'd rather get a higher output alternator as to not strain the factory alternator..you can get one for the price of a 5 farad cap..and it will last a very long time and will be able to handle anything u might throw at it down the line

 

You also might want to check all your grounds to make sure they are all in a good spot with no paint around the metal.