Audio and Electronics Discuss in-car entertainment systems, audio and video systems, car alarms and other electronics topics.

Slight Trunk Light Dim (Sub & Amp)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-29-2011, 10:23 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
02SEMax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 133
Slight Trunk Light Dim (Sub & Amp)

So as the title says I was showing a friend my sub today, i'm running an alpine MRP350 amp with a 10" RF HE2, and i noticed that my trunk light and license plate lights dimmed a bit when the sub hit. It only did it when i really cranked up the power ( loud volume+bass **** up), but i was still wondering if it was something to worry about or not. I checked my headlights and they were fine when this was happening. But i'd rather not ruin a battery if all it costs me to find out is the time i'm taking to type this post.

If this is an issue i should worry about, what would be the best course of action?

Thanks!
02SEMax is offline  
Old 11-29-2011, 11:53 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Ricksi30's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 325
Grab a dmm and check your voltage drop. With that much power you should not have a problem. In addition bass ****=BAD unless it is a gain **** which I don't think it is,
Ricksi30 is offline  
Old 11-30-2011, 07:59 AM
  #3  
Member
Thread Starter
 
02SEMax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 133
Originally Posted by Ricksi30
Grab a dmm and check your voltage drop. With that much power you should not have a problem. In addition bass ****=BAD unless it is a gain **** which I don't think it is,
It's a PAC rca controller **** that i have run to the sub out rcas on the back of my HU, so is that still bad?

This is the ****

Where would I check the voltage drop at? I think i can can get the multimeter, but i wouldn't know where to do the check
02SEMax is offline  
Old 11-30-2011, 11:09 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
iTrader: (9)
 
tseng1023's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 1,221
I had this problem with my first system and doing the 'big 3' upgrade fixed the dimming problem. Wasn't nothing huge it was sorta like the power you're running now. Consider it!
tseng1023 is offline  
Old 11-30-2011, 12:49 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Brudface's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 361
I don't understand why everybody "thinks" they don't need a stiffening capacitor... Just go and buy a 1/2 farad cap... With that amp it should solve all your dimming problems... Or if you thinking about an upgrade in the future get a 1 farad... Every 500 watts RMS your amp give you should have a capacitor at 1 farad to compensate for the voltage draw... Such as I have a 1500W RMS amp, I went a little overboard and got a 5 farad cap... Hope this answers your question... Or just do what tseng said and do the big 3... But I would still get a cap. And your headlights will NEVER dim... The ballast regulate the power, they would just turn off at a very low voltage, like BELOW 9.5.
Brudface is offline  
Old 11-30-2011, 08:37 PM
  #6  
Member
Thread Starter
 
02SEMax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 133
Originally Posted by tseng1023
I had this problem with my first system and doing the 'big 3' upgrade fixed the dimming problem. Wasn't nothing huge it was sorta like the power you're running now. Consider it!
It's my mom's car and if i tell her i gotta start getting in the engine bay and grounding wires so that my sub works she's gonna tell me to take it the hell out lol. But i do appreciate the advice

Originally Posted by Brudface
I don't understand why everybody "thinks" they don't need a stiffening capacitor... Just go and buy a 1/2 farad cap... With that amp it should solve all your dimming problems... Or if you thinking about an upgrade in the future get a 1 farad... Every 500 watts RMS your amp give you should have a capacitor at 1 farad to compensate for the voltage draw... Such as I have a 1500W RMS amp, I went a little overboard and got a 5 farad cap... Hope this answers your question... Or just do what tseng said and do the big 3... But I would still get a cap. And your headlights will NEVER dim... The ballast regulate the power, they would just turn off at a very low voltage, like BELOW 9.5.
I was thinking about getting a small cap, i saw a RF 1/2 farad for around $35 on sonicelectronix i believe. But i wasn't sure if this would be the best way to go as i've heard close to as many opinions not to get one as the opinions saying to get one
02SEMax is offline  
Old 12-01-2011, 07:29 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Brudface's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 361
Go and get one... It acts as a voltage regulator, so it puts "less" strain on your cars electrical system. I know there are a whole lot of stories about the pro's and con's of the capacitor, but there is usually a lot more pro's... When it comes down to it Most amps are rated for a voltage of 14.4, which is usually the maximum a car can give without adding anything else. Without a cap, your amp runs off of your battery, which your car is also drawing power from, a cap acts as a buffer. Plus also boosts minimal power to the amp... Some amps however are rated on there "birth sheets" at 12 volts, at 14.4 volts it will give more power... . Which is always good!!
Brudface is offline  
Old 12-01-2011, 01:53 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
iTrader: (9)
 
tseng1023's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 1,221
Originally Posted by Brudface
Go and get one... It acts as a voltage regulator, so it puts "less" strain on your cars electrical system. I know there are a whole lot of stories about the pro's and con's of the capacitor, but there is usually a lot more pro's... When it comes down to it Most amps are rated for a voltage of 14.4, which is usually the maximum a car can give without adding anything else. Without a cap, your amp runs off of your battery, which your car is also drawing power from, a cap acts as a buffer. Plus also boosts minimal power to the amp... Some amps however are rated on there "birth sheets" at 12 volts, at 14.4 volts it will give more power... . Which is always good!!
+1

There is absolutely NO reason not to get one in your situation!
tseng1023 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tsi6001
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
12
10-03-2022 10:23 PM
Former3G
5th Generation Classifieds (2000-2003)
7
10-26-2015 11:34 PM
Dennis Twohy
1st & 2nd Generation Maxima (1981-1984 and 1985-1988)
0
10-01-2015 06:01 PM
King_Ten_Ahead
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
14
09-30-2015 04:27 PM
doobadoo
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
2
08-15-2015 06:43 PM



Quick Reply: Slight Trunk Light Dim (Sub & Amp)



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:11 AM.