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I have a system in the car, but not too powerful. 800 watt amp/360 rms. When I turn up the bass on some songs, my voltmeter will drop to like 11.5-12 on hard bass notes. I normally don't listen to it this loud...for my ears, and for the electrical system in the car. Will having the volts drop like that continuosly damage the battery or alternator? I'm worried it will blow some diodes (or whatever is in the alt) in the alternator if I do it for too long.

A drop of 4 volts is something to be concerned about. You might stress the system a bit, although I doubt you would break any diodes since you're not making anything go over-voltage. I'm pretty sure some companies offer a power conditioner to aid in extra spikes of power when necessary, that might just be your best bet.

If you don't have a capacitor inline to your amp I'd say you need one.

You can also get a capacitor for the stereo. Aren't those supposed to even out the current draw to make sure the alternator doesn't get stressed? I could be wrong, I've been out of the stereo scene for far too long... You can also upgrade to a stronger alternator, like the ones for the PT Cruisers too.

Later
Allex

Capacitors are really a bandaid fix. I would suggest upgrading the alternator to a HO model.

ZeroChad wrote:Capacitors are really a bandaid fix. I would suggest upgrading the alternator to a HO model.

You have a good point. For the price of some of those caps, you could throw down a few more bones and have a PT alternator. What was I thinking?

occasional demons Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:44 pm Post subject:

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ZeroChad wrote:
Capacitors are really a bandaid fix. I would suggest upgrading the alternator to a HO model.

You have a good point. For the price of some of those caps, you could throw down a few more bones and have a PT alternator. What was I thinking?

See, TOLD you I've been out of the scene for a while...

Later
Allex

ZeroChad wrote:Capacitors are really a bandaid fix. I would suggest upgrading the alternator to a HO model.

I withdraw my comment. I gotta start thinking like you guys and not worrying about curb weight

Actually a better alternator and caps would be the way to go. That way the amp always has a clean, steady power supply.
Curb Weight FTW!

i would suggest upgrading to the MAY '05+ neon alternator. i have a 1500w RMS (2500w Peak) system with 2 1-farad caps and i dont drop under 12.5v with the stock alt, that alt is 120a all others before were either 80a or 90a

IF you alt is going and you thorow in a CAP this will only make your situation WORSE not better since the cap itself also drains power

this 360w RMS system ALONE souldnt drop the alt 3v something is not right somewhere.. if i were to bet id bet your alt is nearing the end of its life. that or you dont have a 360w RMS system LOL

Pioneer Pioneer GM-7100M 800 watts max 360RMS
Infinity Reference 1242w 12" 1000 watts max 300RMS

Thats the amp, and sub I'm using. I'm running 4 gauge wire all around, and have all grounds sanded down, along with a 4gauge ground from the negative terminal. On very hard bass notes, it will sometimes even make the idle drop down some... I'm thinking about getting a PT alternator sometime soon, but mine still seems to work great, besides the volt dips with heavy bass.

the pt alt isnt exactly a plug and play. the may '05 neon alt is the same amperage and is plug and play

Craz1000 wrote:the pt alt isnt exactly a plug and play. the may '05 neon alt is the same amperage and is plug and play

I might have to check up into this. I haven't heard bout the newer May05+ alts... do you know if they have a new part number? Thanks

Don't the SRT alternators fit the 2.0 engine? I believe they output more than our stock ones.

the SRT alts dont fit the 2.0's ive asked arround in these forums and its been NO across the board. again, the May '05+ alts put out close to the pt's without all the issues, the srt's are alot more amperage for obvious reasons.

the part number is different, when you call dodge theyll ask for i think the last 8 or 10 of your vin, if u need ill give you the last 10 of mine since my '05 is a late may model

your continuous volt drops will mess up your, alt, battery, cars electrical, amps, speakers, etc etc etc.

goto an autozone and have them test your battery and alt, they'll do it for free.

if i was a betting man i'd say u have a poor ground. make sure where your amps grounded u or the installer, scraped the ground area clear of all paint.

Also if u haven't done the BIG 3 (upgraded the positive wire from your battery to ur alt and your ground from ur alt to chassis and battery's negative to chassis) do that.