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system not getting power it needs


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klownicle 
Member - Posts: 4
Member spacespace
Joined: July 13, 2007
Posted: July 13, 2007 at 6:51 PM / IP Logged  

Car details,

Honda Passport 99' EX 3.2L Engine
88Amp Alternator (Stock) tried 180amp Alternator (since removed)
Duralast Gold Front Battery
4awg from Front Bat to Back Bat
Yellow Top Optima (not isolated) Back Battery
4awg Grounds and 0awg Alt > Bat Wireing in Engine
Sytem details,
850w RMS Kenwood 9102D Mono Amp
2x 400RMS Kenwood 12'
100w RMS MTX Audio 2 Channel Speaker Amp
2 farad Tsunami Capacitor wired next to Sub Amp
Problem,
My voltage dips down to 11volts, now before you say somthing, keep in mind I upgraded my alternator to a 180amp (excessive amperage) alt.  It did not fix my problem, it seemed to help but still got down to 11volts in the end.  It would probley go further except if I turn it any louder my amp shuts off becuase of the DC signal Clipping.  Now some details on the new alternator, I was recommended to test it, and I did.  When it was tested at a local high output shop they said it did 101amps inside the car and 130amps outside the car.  I mailed back the alt, I was told by excessive amperage it was operating perfectly (14.8 volts and 180amps).  So I don't know if he was just trying to screw me or if there really was a problem.  I've since returned the alt, and got my money back.  If the alt was truely not functioning correctly this can explain as to why I got a little boost with the new alt.  But still can't play my system at its potential power.
As stated above I've tried the following,
Adding a new HO alt, Removeing the Second Battery, Adding a Second Battery, Changing all my Grounds in the Engine area (made no difference), Fully Charging both Batteries (using a tickle charge overnight), having just the subs hooked up.
I've been told by everyone that the power im running shouldn't be any problem for what i've tried to use.  I've had my grounds checked, there all fine.  And with all the upgrades i've made it should have fixed the problem.

What else am I missing here?  Does anyone have any ideas what I can do to solve my low voltage (effectivally low voltage = not enough power to give = not enough amperage?)

Thanks

klownicle 
Member - Posts: 4
Member spacespace
Joined: July 13, 2007
Posted: July 13, 2007 at 6:55 PM / IP Logged  

Btw, my idle voltage is 13.8, when everything is running at idle (lights, air, etc) it can go as low as 13 at idle (oddly enough if the car is in park I get 13.8 at idle, if I pop it in drive or n I notice the volts will drop even lower (12.8ish).  I never see 14v (exactly 14) unless the car has been off for a long time).

I also fused the alt to bat with a 200amp, and im running a 100amp fuse from bat to amps.

DYohn 
Moderator - Posts: 10,741
Moderator spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: April 22, 2003
Location: Arizona, United States
Posted: July 13, 2007 at 9:31 PM / IP Logged  

1.  You will never get max output from an alt at idle.  Most need to be spinning at least 1500 RPM.  You can solve this by changing the pulley on the alternator so that it spins faster with the engine idling, or set your idle speed up.

2.  Adding batteries will not change system voltage.  System voltage always drops when you put a vehicle in gear (at least when you are stopped) as there is more load on the system and engine speed drops.

3.  You may have a charging system issue, but really it sounds to me like you system is working correctly and you need to go back to a HO alternator, and set it up to spin faster.

4.  Did you upgrade the big 3?

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pendulum 
Copper - Posts: 56
Copper spacespace
Joined: January 02, 2006
Location: United States
Posted: July 13, 2007 at 9:55 PM / IP Logged  
You said you upgraded the engine bay grounds, but what about the alt to bat wire? this needs to be the same size as your battery to chassis and engine to chassis ground. I recommend 4 gauge minimum. upgrading the three wires i mentioned is "The Big 3" that DYohn mentioned.
1999 Toyota Camry
--
Pioneer DEH-P3700MP
Lightning Audio Strike S4.15.VC2
Lightning Audio Strike S4.500.1
Majestic 6.5"
klownicle 
Member - Posts: 4
Member spacespace
Joined: July 13, 2007
Posted: July 15, 2007 at 11:54 AM / IP Logged  

Answers to questions.

1.  The power at rpm was no difference, it just made the voltage just a little bit steadier, this was with 180amp alternator btw.  But in the end going from my 88amp alt, to my 180amp alt (technically) only seemed to make a 20% difference in volume.
2.  All Big 3 have been upgraded, and im using 0 gauage.
3.  The max TESTED output that I could find was 130amps, but I mailed it back to the guy that built it and he said it was operating fine.  So I don't know if he overrated it and wants to cover his tracks.  He said some people don't have the right tools to test a high output alt to its full load capacity.


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