ICE power problems...

[mase]

well, not problems as such but i will still ask.

had the ignition off last night with the ICE on, (12" sub run by 400watt bridged amp, 6x9's and 10cm speakers run off headunit) and noticed everytime the bass hit the interior light dimmed.

couldnt notice the headlight dimming when the car was running, and as i might be doin a new install it got me thinkin... wats the best way to make sure the system is not puttin strain on the battery / alternator as it is always on bloody loud when i am driving.

should i look at wiring in a 1 farad power cap?
or get a better battery?
of even upgrade the alternator to one with a larger output?

i am also lookin at gettin some undercar neons, would it be best to run these off a seperate battery?

 

[Luke]

The best way is to uprate the alternator to a higher output one. A better battery would be the next step - which gives a better power output and has a longer life (but does come at a cost).

As for the powercap, you only need a 1 Faraad capacitor for every 1000w, so at 400w its not quite so essential, although it would still clean up the spikes and troughs in your power signal.

The reason why you were dimming is becuase the engine wasnt on, as the systems voltage was too low and the battery cant cope. When the engines running, the main power comes from teh alternator @ just over 14v, whereas when the engines off it comes from the battery - which cant sustain the power needs. You'll find your startermotor will dim the interior light too probably...

As for the neons, you should be fine having them on the same battery

However, if you plan to have your install and neons on for longish periods of time with the engine off, an optima battery will be more urgently required.

 

[NowIsGone1106]

the altenator on a cento is already a really high output for a small car its a waste of money to upgrade it... i have a 1 farad cap and that really doesnt help with regard to dimming... the way i have solved mine once and for all is to fit a yellow top. it just about fits! (You need to bend stuff out of the way tho lol). it will always dim with the engine off as the altenator isnt charging the battery.

 

[Neo-The Matrix]

I have about 1k rms sound in my punto, overly large cable and neons connected to the same batt as the sound they totally switch off when I am more than 50% volume

 

[mase]

cheers fellas

i have to admit i dont usually have the ICE on at all when the car is off, only cause i know it drains the battery hardcore.

so basically i can just leave it the way it is, and hook the neons upto the same battery and as long as i dont run them with the car off they will be fine?

 

[paulbfd]

Is that 400w rms or "peak"?

 

[mase]

thats only peak mate...

i forget wat the bridged RMS is, only about 280 i think.... nothin major, but enough to hit when listenin to dance music!

 

[paulbfd]

Nowt really to worry about then power wise.

 

[MintySport]

ive told someone once before and ill say it again.........power caps are worthless!!!! they say that they help with dips in power from the battery but think about it tho!


a capacitor has to charge up once it has discharged when a heavy note drops!

what happens when u are listening to very demanding bass.....the cap doesnt have time to charge back up and is therefore useless!!!!

get a better battery or even a back up battery with a split charge system!

 

[GhostWKD]

It'll be the battery mate, the one on it at the moment is a slightly smaller than normal one to make life easy re the sparco strut brace

 

[Little Red Devil]

one of 4 things.
battery:- make sure you use the best you can afford. halfords calcium ones are quite good for their power output but best would be to use (safely) a diesel battery (battery from a deisel car not a diesel battery ) they have a high power output and should keep bass stiffer. and reduce strain on the alternator. (the strain is always on the alternator not on the battery)
alternator:- te cinq alternator is sufficient for charging a higher output battery although ones with better internals are a good idea. (bosch do very good alternators)
cables:- make sure the cables your running are able to cope with the power needed by the amp. if the amp needs a lot of power and your trying to shove it through a string it aint gonna do the consumption on the battery or strain on the alternator any good.
power cap:- will make a slight difference due to the fact that a cpacitor will instantly charge where it takes a good while to discharge. therefore think of it as an inline battery if your running a heavy duty amp then it will take the strain off the alternator and take the power from the cap.

sorry for the long post.