Dimming Headlights
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=65195
Printed Date: May 08, 2024 at 8:40 PM
Topic: Dimming Headlights
Posted By: lostinthewoods
Subject: Dimming Headlights
Date Posted: October 28, 2005 at 3:20 PM
I have a '98 Subaru Legacy Outback. I am having a bit of headlight dimming when my base pounds. My system is a 10" Infinity Kappa Perfect DVQ in a 1 cu ft sealed box powered by a profile amp w/ 600watts RMS though it is only turned up about 75% when tested. Other than that i have a Alpine head unit and Infinity Kappa 6.5" components. I also have a Rockford Cap in the trunk for the sub to stiffen the system. I was wondering what I could do to get the headlights to stop dimming.
Replies:
Posted By: dwarren
Date Posted: October 28, 2005 at 4:10 PM
Alternator, ditch the cap.
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Posted By: lostinthewoods
Date Posted: October 28, 2005 at 4:59 PM
Is it just a case of a alternator that needs to be replaced, or do i have to get a larger one. would an 85 amp be sufficient and is the cap causing part of the problem.
Posted By: dwarren
Date Posted: October 28, 2005 at 5:58 PM
It seems your alternator is not enough. The cap can add to this. The cap is a storage device and when it empties (ususlly after the first bass note) the alternator must provide power for that now power hungry device. Once you upgrade to a larger alternator, you may include the cap. There are numerous past topics that go into great detail about this subject so if you have some time and want to learn about this, I would suggest doing a search here, about your question. Try using "lights dimming" or "alternator" or "caps" as keywords. -------------
Posted By: pimpincavy
Date Posted: October 28, 2005 at 10:48 PM
Your alt should be sufficent size for the wattage your running. Get rid of the cap, that may help. If not try getting a new alt. you wont need a huge one for only 600W, a new 85 amp should suffice.
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Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: October 29, 2005 at 10:56 AM
What is the overall condition of your battery, cables, and conectors? Thats where I would start, cheaper and easier than an alt. Have the damn battery load tested. Also check the output of the alt. at idle and with the RPM's up. 13.6/14.4 volts with no fluctuations (drops or spikes) even the smallest amout of corrosion can hamper the performace of a stock charging system. If the battery has marginal load handling, it FOR SURE is giving you a problem while bumpin the system. Then while doing that, you're slowly killing your alternator....it wil do its best to keep up, till the very end! One more thing.....stock light bulbs in the headlights? -------------
Posted By: lostinthewoods
Date Posted: October 30, 2005 at 3:24 PM
yeah, stock bulbs in the headlights. I had headlight dimming before i got the cap too. I haven't checked the condition of the battery, i think that is going to be my first step from the advice given above. So what is being said here is that at the simplest level, the battery is failing and overloading the alt to some degree?
Posted By: arrow12
Date Posted: October 30, 2005 at 3:32 PM
You just eliminated the cap in your system. If it still dims with the cap, then just ditch it. Your alternator might be wearing out too. ------------- That's my opinion. Take it, leave it, or correct me.
Posted By: Mad Scientists
Date Posted: October 30, 2005 at 7:15 PM
If you can, measure the current coming out of the alternator.. also measure the voltage at the alternator and the battery. If your connections are ok, I'd say the alternator isn't keeping up with demand. If the cap isn't shorted internally I don't believe it's adding to any problems you might have. Jim
Posted By: sdlimited
Date Posted: October 31, 2005 at 2:25 PM
I would place in a optima battery and you will possibly be able to ditch that cap. You will need a yellow cap optima battery. Stylindetail@hotmail.com
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