Hello all, in the quest for having a kick-ass stereo in my new (to me) car over the past several months, I've run into issues with my power system. To make a long story short, when big bass notes hit, the voltage drops and lights dim. As a consequence of this I've had to turn my subs down or if the bass hits too hard for too long the amp will go into protect mode from getting too little voltage.
Now, I'm going to list my audio system as well as all the other information I believe is relevant below:
Head Unit: Stock 2007 Mazda 3
Front Stage: 6.5" CDT Audio CL-61A-25 Pro Components
Subwoofers: 2 Sundown Audio SA-8's
Front Amp: Hifonics ZXI6010 150Wx2
Sub Amp: Cadence iA9 2000W
Battery: 750CCA AGM Spiral Cell Deep Cycle Motomaster Battery (which I just bought a few days ago due to the stock battery not liking the cold weather very much)
Alternator: 200A at 1200RPM
Wiring: Stock + 4 gauge OFC wire from engine block to ground, ground to battery, and alternator to battery positive
The speakers are set to around 140 watts each via DMM, the subs are set to around 450 watts via DMM and clamp meter. My lights dim noticeably playing a 60Hz test tone. My front stage is filtered way higher than that, so the max power that this is demanding is 450 watts (about 36 amps, or around 50 accounting for a very inefficient amp) plus the car (which should be no more than 50 amps with no brights, air conditioning, or rear defroster on). This should be around 100 amps power draw worst case scenario. That's not even half of what the alternator is capable of at 1200RPM.
I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what could possibly be going on, and I've come to two conclusions:
1) The alternator is not putting out the 200 amps it is supposed to, or
2) For some reason the ECU isn't regulating voltage properly at high load
What do you guys think? I'd really, really like to get this solved so any questions or advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Now, I'm going to list my audio system as well as all the other information I believe is relevant below:
Head Unit: Stock 2007 Mazda 3
Front Stage: 6.5" CDT Audio CL-61A-25 Pro Components
Subwoofers: 2 Sundown Audio SA-8's
Front Amp: Hifonics ZXI6010 150Wx2
Sub Amp: Cadence iA9 2000W
Battery: 750CCA AGM Spiral Cell Deep Cycle Motomaster Battery (which I just bought a few days ago due to the stock battery not liking the cold weather very much)
Alternator: 200A at 1200RPM
Wiring: Stock + 4 gauge OFC wire from engine block to ground, ground to battery, and alternator to battery positive
The speakers are set to around 140 watts each via DMM, the subs are set to around 450 watts via DMM and clamp meter. My lights dim noticeably playing a 60Hz test tone. My front stage is filtered way higher than that, so the max power that this is demanding is 450 watts (about 36 amps, or around 50 accounting for a very inefficient amp) plus the car (which should be no more than 50 amps with no brights, air conditioning, or rear defroster on). This should be around 100 amps power draw worst case scenario. That's not even half of what the alternator is capable of at 1200RPM.
I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what could possibly be going on, and I've come to two conclusions:
1) The alternator is not putting out the 200 amps it is supposed to, or
2) For some reason the ECU isn't regulating voltage properly at high load
What do you guys think? I'd really, really like to get this solved so any questions or advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
