Im running a soundstream 10" spl with a soundstream angina 100Watt rms amp. The lights start to dim when i turn it up loud. What can i do to reduce the strain on the alternator? I'm only running measly 100watt amp, should this even put that much strain on the alternator?

I heard that you can upgrade the ground wire of the alternator to help with the strain. Has anyone done this?

 

well upgrading the ground wires n stuff is called upgrading the big3, but with a 100 watt amp you shouldnt have any dimming. check your wiring, do you have a ground wire going from amp to chassis, or amp to battery?

 

amp to chassis...why would he ground directly to the battery?

 

Even with a stock radio, I would suggest upgrading the "big 3" Maximas arent well known for good charging systems.

 

Is upgrading the ground wires on the alternator hard to do? What else is a part of the big 3?? I didn't think i would have problems with only 100 watts either, but the odometer and gauge cluster dims like hell when i turn it up. Also i have an 8 gauge ground wire going from the amp to the chassis.

 

Its not hard to do, its simply just upgrading all of your grounding points under the hood.

 

I would hold off on the big 3 upgrade for right now. Considering you only have 100w RMS you shouldn't have any dimming at all. Double check your wiring, make sure you are using a good ground and stop over at your local autozone or sears and get your alternator/battery checked out.

 

How are your battery terminals? I actually had to replace the positive one when I did my amp install... it was corroded almost the entire way through. Replaced it with a more solid piece (my stock one was very thin). BTW, I'm running around 800W RMS with no dimming issues.

 

I agree, you shouldnt have any or barely any dimming with that much power. Double check all your connections, wires,fuses, everything. It can also be a sign of a weak battery or alternator that is going out.

 

what year is your car?

 

do the big 3 like pearl and others said. and turn the gain down a bit.

 

I notice these symptoms on my car also. But for me it only happens when I turn my deck to like 65+ volume, which is really loud, so I'm not really worried about it.