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Lights dim

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Old May 8, 2003 | 02:45 PM
  #1  
alexg240's Avatar
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Lights dim

What should I do I am runnning a jblbp1200.1 at 1 ohm to 2 rockford punch hx2's whenever the bass was turned up the lights in the car would dim the dash lights and the headlights mainly. I was also using 4 ghuage wire and a 1 farad livghting audiuo capacior. Also do you guys think that Kikcer L7'sa will hit harder then those Hx2's.
Old May 9, 2003 | 05:29 AM
  #2  
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First thing that is probably the best to do is get an alternator upgrade. Since it is costly, most people opt to go with a better under hood battery (Possible a second battery in the trunk with an isolator) or you can try a 1 Farad Cap.

A CAP is not a battery, all it will do is store a charge for those bass notes, it may help short term. Keep in mind that an alternator is not meant to be charging a battery all the time.

What is happening is the amplifier is drawing a lot of AMPS from the battery and the alternator cannot charge it fast enough. Look at it this way, i am not sure what year max you have, but let say your alternator puts out 100Amps and your 1200 Watt amp is drawing 92 amps (1200W/13V) you are leaving 8 amps or reserve charge to your battery. Now your blower in the car takes about 9 amps when fully utilized, then your headlights takes a good amount, I think you get the point.

If I were you I would get an isolator and put a second battery in the trunk and possible a 1 Farad cap!
Old May 11, 2003 | 08:44 PM
  #3  
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1st, you are gonna fry that amp big time. The amp is stable at 2ohms not 1ohm meaning your sucking the life out of your charging system. Not rated for high current. Second, being that the jbl 1200.1 is a high voltage amp, you shouldn't have a problem with the lights dimming that much. Get it off of a 1ohm load. Here's the spec's from jbl

http://www.jbl.com/car/product.asp?p...er=POS&cat=AMP
Old May 12, 2003 | 05:05 AM
  #4  
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If the amp is not recommended at a 1 ohm load, definately get off, of it ASAP. Once you do say your lights may not dim, or if it does it should not dim as much as before. Right now you are drawing lots of AMPS at 1 ohm.
Old May 12, 2003 | 09:36 PM
  #5  
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Hey i had 2 HX2 in my car and the suck compared to the L7 i have in there now! NOW my L7 hit harder than the 2 Rocks i had in my max. If u get an L7 try ikesound.com to get one and then get a box from www.proboxrocks.com they cost a lot but you will love the bass it pumps out hit me at airman83@delrio.com for more questions
Old May 13, 2003 | 12:52 AM
  #6  
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Maxi, check jbl's home page. NOT stable at 1 ohm. Any amp can be used with a lower impedence. You run the risk of frying the amp and also cause a severe drain on your electrical system as more current is being sucked from it. High current amplifiers are made for that purpose. A JBL1200.1 is not a high current amp. and further, your 600.1 is not 1 ohm stable. If you were running for a competition, cool, run it at 1 ohm and burp your frequency then rewire for daily driving. If you don't believe me, check jbl's homepage. jbl.com
Old May 15, 2003 | 07:47 PM
  #7  
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do the simple things first check the stable impedence of the amp!!! then check your gauge wire on the power line 4 GA may be a little to small maybe 2 GA, please tell me you have a circuit breaker or fuse close to ya battery??? check the ground on the amp, and yes make sure to put a 1 farad cap in. You should have 1 cap per 1000 watts, I have two in my system, also it would help to get another battery for the amp ran off of either a active isolator or a manuel one like i did. Also while running the system get a voltage tester or a multimeter to check the volatge on the cap. Really most of all do a deep cycle batteries to help save your alternator!!!
Old May 17, 2003 | 05:04 PM
  #8  
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From: Florida
Originally posted by MaxiPad96
that amp is stable at 1 ohm. my 600.1 is. I have the same prob with my headlights too.. it sucks.
this is why i refuse to upgrade to a 600.1. i dont want my hid's dimming.
Old May 18, 2003 | 01:19 PM
  #9  
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Originally posted by slickrick


this is why i refuse to upgrade to a 600.1. i dont want my hid's dimming.
I would say that the HIDS only use like 35w but the ballasts help to generate a 75w or higher correct? plus are you using projector lenses also? You should be ok?
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