Dimming headlights

**khaos3202** · 03-18-2006, 12:06 AM

Hey. I know you guys probably get asked this a lot. But I have a system as follows: Alpine 9831 deck-$400 last year, Alpine V12 600W rms amp-also $400, 2-12" type E subs, 4 gauge wiring kit, rockford speakers, and that's it. But when I turn my deck up to like 20ish during like rap songs, my lights dim out and if I go too high, my whole system turns off and starts back up again. WTF? lol. My question is.... what can I do to help this? I drive a '98 cavalier. I don't want to upgrade the alternator if I don't have to... would a capacitor be worth it? And how big of one would I need? Thanks.

**oddx** · 03-18-2006, 12:20 AM

get a cap like a couple farads... your system sounds wak though... did you do it yourself? you should have pros do it

**khaos3202** · 03-18-2006, 12:31 AM

Yes I did do it myself. It's all wired right and stuff. I had someone at Best buy check it. I work there. But he thinks it's because my battery drains dead and it takes a second to recharge it a bit. It's the originaly battery from my car. So it's probably a little worn. But you think a cap would help a lot?

**asylum** · 03-18-2006, 12:40 AM

dont get a cap a dry cell is much bettergo hear www.kinetikpower.com if you whant one i have a shop and can get you one much cheaper

**CiE** · 03-18-2006, 01:35 AM

asylum how much can u get a hc 2400 for? i had an optima battery yellow top for like 3 years and it just craped out on me i had to go back to stock batt. i was about to buy another optima but then i found out about these kinetik battery's through this post. They seem really interested.

**ramy_zohair** · 03-18-2006, 04:07 AM

a good dry cell battery + a 5 farad cap is best.
want more go for an alternator upgrade, but i think teh bat & cap would be enough for you. they won't even take 15 min to install.

**boomintrac** · 03-18-2006, 06:07 PM

before doing a cap Id change that battery up front sure a cap would work but your still going to have the week battery up front and eventualy get the same problem. so Id say toss a new battery up front (preferably a gel cell) and that should cure the prob for the most part (you might still have a little light dimming and if you do thats when you should start looking into a cap or battery). your not pulling hellaish amps from the charging system that it should drop bellow 11volts when your driving. 11 volts is the point where the alpine radio will shut its self off
Aron

**Anshu** · 03-18-2006, 07:33 PM

big 3.

**RedGTiVR6** · 03-18-2006, 08:31 PM

as anshu mentioned

Big 3 link

I'd be SURE to do these as well as replace your battery with a good, high quality dry cell, kinetik or optima are both good.

stay away from caps, and as with every other thread on this topic, let's try and keep the debate about caps out, there are already plenty of threads about them out there...lol

**ramy_zohair** · 03-18-2006, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

stay away from caps, and as with every other thread on this topic, let's try and keep the debate about caps out, there are already plenty of threads about them out there...lol

Y R caps bad???