lights/gauges dimming issues

[liftednali]

Hey guys recently my truck, usually at night when playing a song with quite some bass the lights/gauges dim. Doesn't happen as much in the day but when it does its very minimal and unnoticeable. Today i also noticed that my volt meter on the dash drops from 14-15 to 10 then back up, throughout the bass. I recently got a new battery because my old one was close to dieing so i went ahead and replaced it. With all the other amps I've had this was never a issue, mainly because they were cheap POS's, anyways i also tried hooking up a power cap i had left over from a friend and it did absolutely nothing. Any suggestions on fixes to this? Running 2 12 inch fusions, 1 audio-pipe 1500.1D.

Thanks in advance!

 

[doylee4693]

time to upgrade you alternator pal

 

[electro]

Well this is what capacitors are for usually, but they are no use if they can't be charged as fast at they are depleted. If the base hits really quickly over and over the capacitor probably cant keep up.

I agree with doylee. Upgrade to a larger output alternator and couple with the capacitor provided both are big enough for the draw you should be all set.

 

[liftednali]

alright, do you guys have any that you recommend? whats the average price range of an alternator? I saw some people do whats called the big three upgrade, by upgrading the wire gauge, but i guess this wouldn't do anything if the alternator cant put out the amount of power needed. Specs: 2000 GMC Yukon Denali 5.7V8

 

[Mad Maxx]

Do the "Big 3" Upgrade. 1. Alternator to Battery Charge Cable. 2. Battery to Chassis Ground. 3. Engine Block to Chassis Ground. Try to make the Battery & Engine Ground Terminate at the same Spot on the Chassis. Do it all in 0ga Wire.

That's the Cheapest Upgrade to Help the Voltage Problem.

Don't Use Power Caps anymore. They don't do what they Claim to and put MORE Strain on your Electrical. Use a Secondary Battery (XS Power).

Alternators, MECHMAN is the only one I will Recommend.

 

[liftednali]

now how well would the big 3 upgrade work with my stock alternator? I figure it will be a cheaper option, which im good with as long as the improvements will happen.

 

[Mad Maxx]

Whether you have the OE Alternator or a Quad Setup, it'll Help.

It might not totally get Rid of the Dimming, but it's gonna Help.

If you get a Bigger Alternator inna few Months, this will already be Done, which it would need to be done anyways to get the Most out of ** Alternator.

Doing the Big 3 is the First Step of doing Electrical Upgrades on a Vehicle.

Here's some Proof:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-d1HZRFhSo

Leave the OE Wires In-Tact as well. Just Piggy-Back them with the 0ga Wire.

 

[liftednali]

Alright sounds good i will get some 0ga wire shortly and perform this. Approximately how much do you think i would need? i would say 10ft or so?

 

[Mad Maxx]

Alright sounds good i will get some 0ga wire shortly and perform this. Approximately how much do you think i would need? i would say 10ft or so?

Every Vehicle is Different.

It's best to just Pop the Hood on your Truck and Trace each Wire and Measure it as best as you can.

If I was to Guess, I'd say Closer to 15ft would be enough.

 

[liftednali]

Okay i will do that tomorrow, is a fuse required on the positive thats going to the alternator? i have an inline already on my positive that feeds to my amp. I'll message you if i have any further questions, thanks.