Headlight Dimming w/o system installed

[Str8Dwn]

I am about to install a modest size amp (Hifonics Zeus ZX6400)and sub enlosure (Kicker VS12L5), but am worried that the stock alternator is no where near large enough to supply adequate power. The amp I am planning to install is fused at 60A which is a decent amount of power.

What worries me is that my headlights dim when I lower or raise my windows. That's only 20A, I can only imagine what 40-60A of audio is going to do.

I was thinking of changing out the stock battery for an Optima or the largest DieHard that will fit.

Any suggestions/experience would be appreciated.

Ryan

 

[servoeyes]

Well...the Big 3 would be helpful to do, as well as changing out the battery.

The big 3 are to upgrade the wiring from:
1) battery to ground (grounding kit)
2) Battery to alternator
3) Battery to fuse box

At least that's how I understand it. Anyone else get the right answer?

Anywho...I'm running a JL250/1 and Eclipse EA3422 and I get dimming at higher volumes, but I know how to control the bass from my HU so that I don't. My battery has been damn near deep cycled once (by mistake) as well, so it's not exactly strong. Still...the battery upgrade is usually worth it. Check out Exide's Orbital Extreme series as well.

 

[Str8Dwn]

Sounds logical.

It is a shame Mazda scrimped on the wiring. I mean how cheesy is it that bone stock, the lights dim.

With the extra 4ga wire I'll have from the Lightning Audio kit, I'll upgrade per your suggestion.

Thanks!

 

[pluto316]

Sorry to bring up an old post, but my P5 used to dim a little, but my MSP dims A LOT. Wondering if you ever fixed yours...?

 

[Vulcanon]

try a grounding kit

 

[1sty]

try a grounding kit

 

[Douggie]

The battery doesn't do much after the car is started. It's the alternator that provides the 'juice' once the engine is runnin.

 

[1sty]

Keep in mind the battery is still the ground reference once the system is running and the crappy factory ground hinders the alternator.

However a ground kit will not solve all dimming it will only help. A better battery is a good idea.

 

[pluto316]

I'll wire a 9V battery into the dash someplace, that'll fix it good. He-yuck.

 

[1sty]

Well you can parrallel it and smoke it, or series it and smoke it and the dash

 

[pluto316]

Well you can parrallel it and smoke it, or series it and smoke it and the dash

Man, that's good thinking. I was going to put a fog machine in my car, but if I can get a REAL smoke effect going on.. Hmmm...

 

[1sty]

Get a pioneer amp that was not sent in for the recall and just bridge it, BANG.....YOu got a car load of smoke in no time (rofl)

 

[got wake?]

Sorry to bring up an old post, but my P5 used to dim a little, but my MSP dims A LOT. Wondering if you ever fixed yours...?

the MSP has a smaller battery, if i'm not mistaken a battery and grounding kit are both very wise investments.

 

[pluto316]

the MSP has a smaller battery, if i'm not mistaken a battery and grounding kit are both very wise investments.

I am going to need a new battery for my mad tyte neons too!

 

[1sty]

Looked to be the same to me.

I'll have to go check.

 

[Micah]

I run an alpine head deck, 2 MTX 4 channel amps (one of them bridged to two channels), 4 speakers and 2 -12's(detailed below in my sig) with an old streetwires 1 farad cap. Everything is wired back from the battery with 4 gauge wire to the cap, then 8 gauge wire from the cap to the amps. Head deck is running off the regular wiring harness. My DVD player and 7-inch in dash screen are also wired off the same harness. If I turn up the music pretty loud with a good deal of bass, I do get a minimal amount of dimming. My battery has also been drained to completely dead at least 3 times that I know of, possibly more.

Now I'm thinking of picking up a new battery, but honestly - as long as the car starts and it's not bugging me - I'd rather save my money.

 

[got wake?]

Looked to be the same to me.

I'll have to go check.

i believe the mp3 has the same battery as the MSP, which looked smaller than my stock one

 

[1sty]

My P5 looked like it had the same battery as my MP3,
I will compare tonight.