New system

j{}n · 12-12-2003, 10:10 PM

so there really aren't problems persay, but the lights to dim/flicker whenever the bass hits. what should i do about this? i know it's not healthy for the battery/car. i still giggled like a lil girl whenever it first did that. thanks joel for the awesome deal/system :thumbsup:

sound_xtreme · 12-12-2003, 11:43 PM

no problem. But, most people are gonna tell ya:

1. Upgrade/add a wire going from the battery to the alternator.
2. Upgrade the stock battery(if you have one)
3. Upgrade alternater(best option for the money)
4. Add a second battery
5. add caps(i would use this as a last resort cause it can get very pricey)

12-13-2003, 08:51 PM

I threw a cap into my car, and it was worth it. Not only does my car not dim now, but I'd swear that the subs hit harder and cleaner and quicker than they did before...

Naich · 12-13-2003, 09:32 PM

Yeah, Caps are good if you have the $$ for it. The response should be quicker and harder, but not by much. Less wire and less draw on the battery at each bass hit.

12-14-2003, 04:24 PM

am i crazy by thinking that upgrading the alternator that is actually the most expensive option?

12-14-2003, 07:55 PM

i have an optima yellow top under my amps and also a cap, no more blinking

12-14-2003, 08:18 PM

if your system is under 1000 watts, you shold only really need a 1/2 farad cap. I know that when I got my '03 a week ago, I found out the alternator output on an Ecotec kinda sucks, since the dome light flickered even with the STOCK system- my wish list now includes an optima and a 1-farad cap. :rolleyes:

12-14-2003, 09:32 PM

maybe did ya check the ground wire????? got a good ground????
<<<<stock battery and stock alternator
no dimming

j{}n · 12-14-2003, 10:59 PM

how much are caps? how hard is install?

12-15-2003, 02:01 AM

My cap was a 1 farad cap... think it set me back about 199 CDN... I dunno though, cuz I bought it like 6 months ago. Install was a breeze. Just charge the cap (real simple... they walk you through it), and then connect it to a ground, take the power line in from your battery and connect it in, then connect it out to the amp. That's it! Real simple, and I've been really happy since.

sound_xtreme · 12-15-2003, 03:27 AM

I can get a 275 amp alternator for like 250
by the time you get done paying for caps you'll spend more.

1000 watts = 1 farad
I would suggest 3 or more farads for your system.
~$100 for a good cap = 300+ for a "bandaid" for a problem that might not get fixed

I use caps as a last resort and it shows in the systems i have installed.

And whoever said the bass is louder cause of a cap is full of it.

vulgar · 12-15-2003, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sound_xtreme@Dec 15 2003, 03:27 AM
I can get a 275 amp alternator for like 250
by the time you get done paying for caps you'll spend more.

1000 watts = 1 farad
I would suggest 3 or more farads for your system.
~$100 for a good cap = 300+ for a "bandaid" for a problem that might not get fixed

I use caps as a last resort and it shows in the systems i have installed.

And whoever said the bass is louder cause of a cap is full of it.

I agree with joel, alternator is the way to go.

And caps generally dont do shyt