Bad charging system keep my Cap from holding charge?

[Hit Man X]

Well my POS 200A alt will be gone within a few weeks (FINALLY) in place of a 3G 130A from Ford.

Anyway...if my charging system isn't working so well (and I know it ain't) could this be a reason for my amp not kicking on?

I know the wiring is fine as it will come on for a few seconds then go back off. This only started after that junk 200A unit went in.

Should I try bypassing the cap until I get that 130A alt? No tunes sucks.

[DFWminis]

well really if you wired everything correctly...your amp should still turn on wheather the cap is charged or not....all the cap is going to do is discharge when the bass hits hard and puts a strain on the battery....make sure you have a good ground...and that your ground cable is the same size or larger then your power wire..also check your remote wire make sure it is not loose at all ....

[EW]

You need a meter to check voltage. The cap would not keep the amp from turning on but low voltage could especially if you have a relay on the power cable or turn on lead.

I would like to know more about the POS 200A alternator. I know most of these things are super cheap. Since most good high output 200A alternators are large case and about $700 I figured the cheap ones were junk.

[BP]

Iraggi alternators are $400 and work good:)

As for the alternator not turning the amp on that depends on the amplifier. If it has a regulated power supply then yeah if the source voltage is low enough then it may not ever come on. Or if your signal wire isn't strong enough then it won't come on.

[Hit Man X]

Yeah the vehicle voltage is very low at idle right now. It's maybe 13v, then if the headlights and A/C go it... it drops well under 12v. I don't drive it much now due to that alt I have on there.

It's in a 3G style case, I purchased it from TK4sports on ebay...BIG mistake. It puts out less at idle than my 3G 130A unit did. It's truly shitty. I should have spent the extra $75 and got one from Alterstart off Loop 12 and Davis.

All I have on the stereo is a lil 300/2 JL amp nothing more. Aside from that, I have a pair of dual electric fans that pull ~25A at full speed (the controller varies speed from 60% to 100% load).

[BP]

You need at a bare minimum 13 volts at idle, thats barely enough to keep the battery charged. It should be able to hold 13+ with everything turned on. At full volume you might see less at times, my car will drop off to 11.5 or so when cranked up loud (I have a 1200 watt amp on the subs) but I only hold it there for spl tests.

[Hit Man X]

Originally posted by BP
You need at a bare minimum 13 volts at idle, thats barely enough to keep the battery charged. It should be able to hold 13+ with everything turned on. At full volume you might see less at times, my car will drop off to 11.5 or so when cranked up loud (I have a 1200 watt amp on the subs) but I only hold it there for spl tests.



That goes more to my theory. The same setup I have now worked fine until I switched alternators. I will be getting it here in about 7 days (paid $40 for it only :) ).

My charging system is terrible now...as such I'm afraid to drive other wise be left stranded. I wish I hadn't sold the 3G 130A I had.

The HU I have is an older Pioneer Premier DEH-P720 and the amp is the JL 300/2 attached to a 1 farad cap. Oh, speakers are some nice Polk DX coax. I've installed half a dozen setups and no problems like this. I'm not certified to install but I know the install isn't the problem as I've had this setup for a LONG time in there.

I'll keep you guys posted once I get that new alt installed. :D

[EW]

Those big fans suck lots of current!

My Ohio Generator puts out a firm 14.2V with everything on (a/c full blast, high beams, low beams, driving lights, 12 brake/parking lights, interior lights, audio, etc). It was expensive but worth it IMO.

[needsastang80]

Check Make Sure You Your Alt Wire Is Big Enough, Have Been Intalling For 5 Years. With That Kinda Out Put Your Factory Wire Were Not Desgined To Handle That Kinda Load Which Cause Restaice Which Causes Heat And Usally F's Everything Up Double Check Grounds On Cap And Battery Upgrade As Need. I Would At Least Have A Bare Min. Of 8ga Wire On There Man. Battery And Ground Wire You Might Them To 2ga Wire If Thats Straight Should Be Ok

[Eagles2suprbowl]

[QUOTE=Hit Man X] I should have spent the extra $75 and got one from Alterstart off Loop 12 and Davis.

My dad got a 180a alt from there for his silverado. After the truck warms up and its idling the voltage is under 13, at night with all acc. on it seems to go below 12v. I guess you get what you pay for. Btw I heard those alts made by Dominick irragi are pretty good.

[ThreeFingerPete]

just FYI, an 8 gauge wire will not handle 200 amps of current.

[needsastang80]

I Said At Bare Min, I Have 4 Gau On Mine And Oo Ground Anf Main Power