Rep Power: 783

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?

 
Rep Power: 785

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?

 
Rep Power: 783

It did the same thing with both alternators.

 
Rep Power: 785

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

 
Rep Power: 783

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...

 
Rep Power: 822

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

 
Rep Power: 935

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.

 
Rep Power: 783

How much are you talking for a decent brand one?

 
Rep Power: 785

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

 
Rep Power: 935

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.

 
Rep Power: 1093

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.

 
Rep Power: 1126

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

 
Rep Power: 783

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

 
Rep Power: 1126

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)

 
Rep Power: 770

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