Dimming Headlights

[Street Toyz]

Anyone else jam the stereo at night and notice the headlights dimming ? Seems like our Kenwood stereos are really taxing the poor alternator. Has anyone installed a capasitor yet to combat this ? Any warranty implications ?

 

[slug420]

no one has done this yet, and it shouldnt void the warranty....

im gonna put in a cap when i install my REAL subs in a month or so....muahahahaha

 

[AGR]

Anyone else jam the stereo at night and notice the headlights dimming ? Seems like our Kenwood stereos are really taxing the poor alternator. Has anyone installed a capasitor yet to combat this ? Any warranty implications ?

Yes; I have experienced some light dimming as well. A bit odd, for sure. And; the Kenwood is usually on, but I never thought anything about that affecting it. I wonder.

Cheers!
(drinks)

 

[G_MAN75]

I HAVE

I recently installed a 1 farad capacitor to my system. Its a must if you have high powered amps and subs. The lights dim cause your subs are demanding power. This causes aftermarket bulbs to burn out quicker, (xenon etc.) Your factories are more tolarent to this abuse. The cap seems to of fixed the problem for now, but upgrading to a high output alternator should be considered in the future, it all depends on how much power you plan on pushing.

So if I were you for now (a cheap fix) I would install a cap and see if you amp demands more power and take it from there.

Hope I helped you out.

 

[Street Toyz]

Thx G-man, do you have an MSP ? If so I was wondering where you mounted the Cap ? Just needed a couple of suggestions I have some decent ideas and I wil photograph the results, but wanted to hear some success stories. Thanks again.

 

[slug420]

he references high powered amps and subs and an beefed up alternator so I am gonna wajor that no, he does not own a MSP and that the teeny amp and teeny sub wouldnt be helped by a cap in our cars. if you go into the car audio forum there is a thread about caps/dimming somethin like that where 1stMP3inNH explains how a cap cant always solve your light dimming problems.....

 

[Street Toyz]

Well here is what I learned, for all of you who may experience this in the future. Since the amp is only a 250W amp and the whole setup is 450W all we need is a 1/2 farad capasitor. Picked up a Rockford one with all connectors and some scrap wiring for under $100. I'll post instalation pics once I have them.