jamesderi

ok i just bought a new car and put my amp and subs into it and i found at night when i turn the system up loud my lights really dim when the bass hits does anyone kno how to make that better i thought maybe a power cap but my buddy had the same prob and he got one and it didnt really seem to help all that much would somthing like a yellow top batter stop that ????

nascarmaniac

you need a compasitor, it store enegy for the bass hits here is an article if u want

Car Audio Capacitors - Why You Can't Do Without Them

jamesderi

well the thing is that my buddy had the same prob and he got one and it styll did it so he put 2 in and it styll somewhat does it

nascarmaniac

Ive also heard of getting a bigger alternator. Some guys has tried 2 batteries but if u think about it the alternator supplies the car's power while the engine is on and batteries when the engine if off, so the batteries are pointless. I would assume that the type of battery wouldn't make much of a difference either but im not sure.

The Don

Those are worthless.

Check your ground(s), could just be in a bad spot. If you don't know how to properly find a good solid ground say so and i'll post the how to on it. Also, if your ground(s) check out good its time to start upgrading for charging system, Yellow Top, Bigger Amp alternator.

jamesderi

well its grounded out to the bottom of the trunk and has been all sanded down to bare metal and i know that i need to get a bigger amp because im full fielding my little 400 watt with 2 800 watt subs but if i get a bigger amp wouldnt that just make my lights dim more cuz of the more power ????

The Don

Your ground can still be weak. Metal on a car will cause a ground, doesn't mean it's a good one.

I'd get your issue worked out first before upgrading, you may not be getting the most of of the current amp.

-Danno

Run a heavy gauge wire from your alt to your battery (posotive) and then run a heavy gage wire from your amp ground to the battery.

Or you could get a separate battery just for your amp.

Browntown_01

caps are just a band aid fix to a bigger problem, what awg wire are you running?

nascarmaniac

hmm sorry to the poster i never knew caps were as useless as everyone says. I was just repeating what i was told :S

jamesderi

im pritty sure its 8awg wire that i have and its only a 400 watt amp i shouldnt need much more then that should i ???

-Danno

It depends on how long the wire is your using. I assume 400 watts = RMS?

Heres some tables I found that will give you the information on what size wire you should run:

the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp

What kind of battery are you running? Ever think of getting an Optima (if you don't have one already)?

jamesderi

no its 400 watt peak and its just the stock battery ive thought about a optima or a yellow top but wasnt sure if its worth the money

-Danno

Hmm, not a lot of watts. You double check your ground on your amp? Make sure it is on clean metal. Where abouts do you have it now?

Also optimas are definately worth it.

jamesderi

the ground is on a seat mount bolt the goes into the floor of the trunk and i sanded the paint off and all that