Thread: Stereo System Thumping = Lights Dimming?

So everytime my system "thumps" to the beat of the song my headlights dim and my backlights to everything dims also. It bothers me. What can I do to get rid of this?

Install a HO alternator

The light for my sunroof switch does that and I have a 1 farad cap installed.

Caps don't do ****

A cap will do nothing to help. A 160A+ alternator will be the only thing. Especially if running over 500W

you could thro an extra battry in the trunk

Originally Posted by gtcoup

you could thro an extra battry in the trunk

Still won't do anything. It just means that your alternator has to keep 2 batteries charged instead of just one.

Check the ground on your amplifier.

You need a capacitor to equalize the discharge on your battery, when your bass "hits" its a huge surge on your battery and thus lowers the overall voltage of the entire electrical system thus resulting in the dimming of the lights. In order to fix this problem you need a capacitor to equalize the voltage. The capacitor acts as a small reserve which can drain very quickly and recover its voltage slower, thus acting as a barrier between your amps high draw and the rest of the charging system. Many people in the forum will tell you capacitors will do nothing, I strongly disagree. They are a vital link between your charging system and amplifiers. Because they charge slower than they discharge, they are a require a much more "constant" demand instead of the huge surge of power demanded when your system hits. The capacitor you require will depend on how much amperage your amplifiers require. Although the capacitor will fix your "dimming" issue, it is not a fix for a system that is drawing more than your alternator will produce. If your system is >1000w RMS I would look into a HO alternator. There are so many variables that go into that decision but thats my rule of thumb for our GPs. Hope I could help!

I have a 1000W Sony Xplod Amp.

caps are lame...having good sufficient power wires and ground wires will help the most....alternator will help too but do grounds and power wires first...theyre cheaper and could get rid of your problem.

Originally Posted by 4THGENCAMAROFAN

caps are lame...having good sufficient power wires and ground wires will help the most....alternator will help too but do grounds and power wires first...theyre cheaper and could get rid of your problem.

Not on this car..lol. Ive had 3 a 97, 98 and 03. Every single stereo Ive had ( cap or no cap) has dimmed the lights if Im under 2g rpms. Thats why Ive been looking for a H/O alternator for quite some time.

Originally Posted by KeithGTP03

Not on this car..lol. Ive had 3 a 97, 98 and 03. Every single stereo Ive had ( cap or no cap) has dimmed the lights if Im under 2g rpms. Thats why Ive been looking for a H/O alternator for quite some time.

Like this guy said cap or no cap they still dimmed.... So just get a HO alternator.

Originally Posted by csssaint12

Caps don't do ****

Agree

Originally Posted by KeithGTP03

A cap will do nothing to help. A 160A+ alternator will be the only thing. Especially if running over 500W

Agree

Originally Posted by That Canadian Guy

might as well put some cinder blocks in there.

Moved.

Agree...a battery is just more draw from the alternator.

Originally Posted by csssaint12

Still won't do anything. It just means that your alternator has to keep 2 batteries charged instead of just one.

Agree

Originally Posted by That Canadian Guy

fixed a little but if your amp has the proper internal power supply this shouldnt be an issue.

Cheap amps suck.

Agree..proper wiring should rememdy most of the issue

Originally Posted by csssaint12

Like this guy said cap or no cap they still dimmed.... So just get a HO alternator.

How about add the proper grounds instead. It's a lot cheaper.

Originally Posted by I800C0LLECT

How about add the proper grounds instead. It's a lot cheaper.

That but if it is still dimming then get a HO alternator

Originally Posted by I800C0LLECT

How about add the proper grounds instead. It's a lot cheaper.

Agree again

Originally Posted by I800C0LLECT

How about add the proper grounds instead. It's a lot cheaper.

I had many grounding points..even the frame. Would still dim at idle. Even running just a JL 500w slash amp.