I have a little system in my car. Nothing to wake the neighbors, but its decent. MY HU is an alpine cda 9855, the amp is a power 900 by Jensen and 2 12 subs, both by Jensen(i work there so its worth the bargain). just recently I have noticed that when the bass hits my lights tend to flicker. Also if im doing 30mph or more if i quickly tap the break the radio cuts out. What am i missing? Do i need to rewire? Do i need another part?

 

Sounds like your alterator is going.....

 

so a cap or new battery wouldnt be a fix?

 

A cap would make it worse, and after you get this resolved, do not install a cap.

 

Thanks

 

No prob, you can have your alt tested for free at pepboys/wal-mart TLE's etc.

 

question. Why shouldnt he install a cap after he gets it fixed?

 

because the only good things caps are good for is to be used as a door stop lol.

 

because a cap is really just a bandaid covering up the real problem: not a powerful enough electrical system. the only REAL way to fix it is to get a HO alternator. Also, cheaper amps aren't as efficient, a better quality amp would probably help out as well..

 

Ya, but I still dont see why he shouldnt use a Cap after he gets it fixed. If it helps with his Headlight dim with a new alternator he shouldnt have any problems. Its not like hes pulling a ton of power off his alternator. Another thing I noticed. When I installed my grounding kit in my car it actually fixed my HID flicker when my sub hit. I was suprised it actually worked lol.

 

A cap will only add strain to the stock electrical. When a cap is charged up its fine, but as soon as the bass hits, it drains completely and quickly so now the alt has to charge up the cap and supply power to the amp.

 

but with a new alternator it should be fine, adding a system to an old used alternator and putting strain on something used is one thing, but having a cap on a new alternator it should be fine.

amp specs
Amplifier Class D
Number of Channels 1 - Mono
RMS Power (4 ohms) 230 watts x 1 channel
RMS Power (2 ohms) 340 watts x 1 channel
RMS Power (1 ohm) Not Stable
Bridged RMS Power N/A
Peak Power Output 900 watts x 1 channel

im pretty sure hell be fine using a cap.

 

So why would you want to strain the new alt. when simply upgrading the wiring from the alternator itself would most likely fix the entire issue?

 

^^ He is right, fix your electrical system issue with doing the big 3 -- and of course.. buy quality amplifier(s).

 

His headlight flicker could be caused by a bad chasis ground. Trying a grounding kit may help with the flicker. It did in my maxima. just my .02

 

Aliens could be in control of your headlights.. Might want to take that into consideration also.

 

lmfao oh noes its dem alienz!!!!

 

Hey dude, how ya doin.


A bad chassis ground does not require a grounding kit, simply adding new/replacing the gruond wire can take care of the problem.

 

better grounding /engine/amp/ect.. might need to run a seperate power wire to you head unit I had this problem with an alpine before and use like a # 12 wire a cap wouldnt make it any worse but probably wouldnt help either I chased this problem before and even installed higher amp alternator with no luck.

 

man all this time i thought a cap was gonna do good for the alternator and the battery. so i'm guessing i should not install the cap i bought on my new system

 

Correct. There are other things to do that will help your system in a better fashion.

 

true true, but the kits are pretty cheap from AT and it has other perks with it.

 

Grounding kits IMO, are a waste...

Just do the big 3 with 4ga or bigger , buy the wire and ends and thats it

 

yo, hangin in there.. hows it going?

GG