Dimming Head Unit
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: General Mobile Electronics Questions and Answers
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=39607
Printed Date: May 07, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Topic: Dimming Head Unit
Posted By: fyvve
Subject: Dimming Head Unit
Date Posted: September 23, 2004 at 9:28 AM
So i have a 92 honda prelude with a pioneer deh-p4000 installed. It is just running 4- 6 1/2" speakers (alpines.) When i turn it up to the volume i like the cd player's screen dimms when the bass hits. is this a problem? I dont really care abou tthe dimming, i was just htinking maybe my speakers wouldsound better if that wasnt happening. Sorry if this is should have been in car audio forum but its not really an audio q so i thought i would put it here. Thanks in advance.
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Vive el Che
Replies:
Posted By: boxmaker85
Date Posted: September 23, 2004 at 10:26 AM
Dealing with a hu, no the dimmin shouldn't be a "problem", but it means that you're speakers are hittin', and the hu is not able to put out the power (some one help me here will clippin occur with this?) You might want to concider an external amp that gives your 6.5 the power that they need. Probably around 50 or 60 watts for each speaker. That way your hu is cool and not trying to overpower itself and your speakers perform to their best ability. If you're lookin for more bass than those 6.5 are giving you then get a sub. Keeps you from fryin a set of good speakers, and gives you a nice balances system too.
Posted By: thepencil
Date Posted: September 23, 2004 at 10:58 AM
A futher note to add; The dimming is not a problem it just mean the headunit is working harder than it should. As boxmaker85 suggested, a small external amp is not a bad idea. You will get better sound and at the same time extend the life of your speakers and headunit.  ------------- Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: September 23, 2004 at 1:17 PM
Do the headlights dim at the same time? If they do, this is not a head unit problem or an external amplifier upgrade problem, but one of the availability of current. Meaning current draw from stereo > current capacity of battery and alternator. If more current is needed by the audio system, the first place that you will notice it is in the lighting circuits of a vehicle, be it the dash, the headlights or the cd player. Post up your findings.
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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: sparkie
Date Posted: September 23, 2004 at 7:07 PM
This problem is pretty common to most newer high output decks. You mau be able to help the problem by running a thicker battery power wire from the head unit to a good battery source of power in the car. (Yellow wire on Pioneer radios). A good source of battery power can b e found at the fuse box or ignition switch harness. Install 12 gauge wire and fuse it close to the vehicle's power source for safety. Also ground the Pioneer to a clean, paint free spot of the car's chassis as close to the radio as permissable. As mentioned, the dimming is normal under high loads and won't damage the radio. Overdriving the radio's amp can cause it to clip or distort. This can kill speakers, even if they are rated for more power than the head unit can put out. As recomended, consider upgrading to an amp to drive your speakers if you like it loud.
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sparky
Posted By: fyvve
Date Posted: September 24, 2004 at 9:45 AM
No my headlights nor anyother lights seem to dim at the same time. My headlights do dim however when i start my car. I once heard that's a sign of a bad alternator. Anyway thanks guys for all the posts. Could you suggest a good amp for my needs or maybe just specs? Keep in mind that i have no clue about amps. thanks again.
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Vive el Che
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: September 24, 2004 at 12:42 PM
Sparkie nailed what I was going to suggest next, follow his advice first before you head off on an amplifier search.
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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
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