Phate

So i've had an interesting situation going on with my car for quite a while, and have been unable to figure it out.

Whenever I drive at night, and have my lights on, if im not on the accelerator (clutching) then after a second or two, it'll drop from 14.2 amps to about 12 amps, and everything will dim, interior lights, headlights, everything. Since I have an aftermarket sound system, and lighting, etc, I decided to put a high output alternator on it. It didnt help.

Now, heres the other part that messes with me. It only started after I installed my cam a year+ ago. I've torn it down and rebuilt it 2x since then, so I very much doubt I made a mistake multiple times in reassembly.

Any ideas?

98CamaroZ28

uhh, did you put a different pully on the car, or are you loosing power because of the sound system as you said, you put a higher power alt on it.

though its weird, on my head unit for CD player, the buttons 1 and 4 use to not work, then all of a sudden they worked again but then 2 and 5 went out...

but other wise I havent a clue about your problem...maybe a bad alt?

Phate

It did the same thing with both alternators.

98CamaroZ28

hmm your not running an aftermarket pully? you could be drawing out to much power, try a compasitor for your sound system?

Phate

I have had the system in it for about 5 years now, and it hadnt done it before the first major build on the car. It almost seems as the power flux comes when the cam starts loping...

ITSA6

it could just be something going bad it the wiring. only reason i say it is because in my camaro with just a aftermarket head unit and speakers (no subs) my lights would dim and ****. but i think it was just a fluke in the system or like a short or something

Bernotas05

Buy a capacitor for your system. It helps with the drain a lot. I owned a few from my past systems and its well worth it. I just recently bought one off Arch a few months ago and it did the trick for my light dim with the bass hitting.

Phate

How much are you talking for a decent brand one?

98CamaroZ28

your Flux Compacitor was damaged...no wonder...buy a compacitor, they are cheap, buy one from arch, he can tell you what to get with your system specs

Bernotas05

I got my 2 farad one of arch for like 65 I think. You could find them on ebay dirt cheap if your tight on cash though.

paarman97maro

IM gonna put one of those in soon if I can find a spot.

It definitly sounds like a charging issue though... that can only be so many things. I can only believe its drawing too much power for the alt to supply... I just have to think its the alt.

archemedes

what rpm are you at when it dims? Alternators shut down under 1000 rpm's (aftermarket may be as much as 2000 rpm's)

Phate

Its when im coasting, so im only doing about 800-1000rpm with the lope. It doesnt do it if im giving it any gas.

archemedes

I think that is your problem, a cap will help that (or if you look at some forums an extra battery which is just a cap with a slower refresh rate)

02hawk796

Is it possible to put a smaller pulley on the alt shaft? then the alt wouldn't sense the slow rpms and shut down.