Headlights Dimming When Your Bass Hits?? Do This RIGHT NOW!

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How do you keep your headlights - or dash lights - from dimming when your subwoofer HITS - that's the topic of today's video. I'll be sure sharing 3 ways you can keep your lights from dimming after you've installed a subwoofer ... plus a little BONUS tip that not too many think about when installing subwoofers in their cars. Enjoy!

[@ramirezZ71]

I’m glad i found this channel!! I just got 2 10s subwoofer by Rockford fosgate P1 And Rockford amp and 4 channel amp Door speakers and it was so trash didn’t sound good but now thanks to you guys it sounds better. I’m a subscriber now ✅

[@takeflightleakz8449]

Yo i have the same subs what amp your using ?

[@ramirezZ71]

@@takeflightleakz8449 Rockford prime R2 500x1 amp for the subs and Rockford prime R2 300x4 for the 4 channel and a sound stream 8x-10.

[@ramirezZ71]

@@takeflightleakz8449 how about you? What you running?

[@takeflightleakz8449]

@@ramirezZ71 running a rockford prime r2 1200x1 amp on 800 watts for a 2 ohm load

[@firsttimediesels6289]

We just did my friends mustang. Xs power capacitor with a power and ground. We also added 1/0 from alternator power to battery with a fuse. We also added 1/0 grounds to the alternator. One to the frame one to the battery. Car is running a sundown salt 2, 2k watts to a resilient platinum 12. 138db in a drop top😎

[@MemphisMojo15s]

All of those upgrades and a 138 is all you're getting? Even if it is a drop top, that's low.

[@firsttimediesels6289]

@MemphisMojo15s Go do better in a convertible sports car. No room in the damn thing.

[@MemphisMojo15s]

@firsttimediesels6289 the trunk is small? Get some competition type high wattage 12's. Mojo's in a Memphis designed box. I guarantee he will do 142 or better. That's a huge difference

[@firsttimediesels6289]

@@MemphisMojo15s he's got the box in the backseat because it's physically too tall to actually fit in the trunk I think that's handicapping it now. I told him to get another resilient platinum 12 and we will design a box to fit better but I think the trunk is damn near a lost cause cuz the ragtop mechanics take so much room.

[@MemphisMojo15s]

@firsttimediesels6289 that sucks, but I agree with what you said to do. Fun car, but no room. I would take the back seat out and build the box in it's place 😂

[@Roadking1965]

Also get the highest amperage battery you fit in your battery compartment. Make sure your battery connections are very good and clean.

[@darianjohnson2556]

Hi on 4 w3x4 12s can i run hd750/1 on two 12’s and another hd750/1 on the other two 12’s and a rd 400x4 on my mids and highs giving me 3 amps total is that cool just was trying to prevent from buying one big amp

[@DeeHermanson]

Sorry you half way right bud 👍 i did all what you said and still had issues. You do a big 3 please please add a battery!!Taramps amplifier. My lights still dimmed with a 350 amp alt. I'm really surprised you didn't tell folks to add another battery😂😂

[@robertrmdgaming4374]

Just got a Skar amp for my 2021 Chevy Spark. The lights dim when parked but don't think the car is capable of the big 3 upgrade. Looked online and no info about upgrading on the car.

[@AZa-i1x]

My Car Bass used to sound really really loud and it doesn’t sound loud no more what can I?

[@mtcoiner7994]

Great info. Easy to look over some of these points.

[@hi-techcaraudio4303]

Thanks man!

[@david029014]

I brought my high power 290 amp alternator, I'm doing big 3 zero, but I don't know what to get battery wise??? Front and back battery??? Running 1 down4sound jp95 1500 watts, and a down4sound jp33 3300 watts.

[@veteranpokerpro]

I have a 370 high output alternator(with big 3 upgrade), dual battery upgrade ( genius off-road kit), but my lights still flicker when my music is turn up. I have a T2500 powering four 8s wired with 0 gauge and a 500 watt Rockford amp powering the other components. What do I need to do?

[@JoshSmith-wo7zw]

Keep in mind the alternator is only throwing out rated output at around 3000ish engine rpm. Not idle rpm which is around 600 to 800 rpm. Its only putting out around a third of its full rated output at idle. Adding an additional battery back by your amps would help to a point but its still more of a band aid type fix. With an alternator that large I would do a big 4 upgrade. Run a 1/0 OFC ground cable directly from the case of the alternator to the negative side of your battery along with your primary engine ground which is usually attached to 1 of the mounting bolts on your starter motor. Also get yourself a wire wheel for a cordless drill and make sure you have nice shiny metal underneath the cable lugs. Any kind of scale etc needs to be removed along with any paint or rust. This is extremely important. Then once you get everything attached tightly take a can of Rust Oleum.spray paint and spray the lugs and panels their to help corrosion out. Also I really hope you didn't use CCA cable copper claded aluminum . You should use OFC Oxygen free copper. OFC is significantly better than CCA. CCA is cheap for a very good reason. Don't use it expeacially on an amp that big. Because you do run the risk of blowing that amp. CCA with get soft with temperature changes causing loose connections down the road it also corrodes insanely fast. You might need to change your battery out with an AGM battery as they can charge and discharge alot faster than a conventional flooded car battery. Also as batteries age the internal resistance inside the battery increases meaning it takes longer for it to absorb current from the alternator. So again it might be time for a new battery. Among other things but thats where I'd start.

[@Jeff_Moreland]

Super cap, lithium problem solved

[@wjkgreen]

Even for a class bd amp, that's a lot of current you're pulling. Its Max current draw is 350A. You've already beefed up your chassis ground. Regardless of the type you're using, I don't think the difference between CCA and OFC would be a significant difference, considering the size of the wire being used. I would say you're exceeding the current of your alternator and that you need a dual alternator kit.

[@biguzivert]

What if I don’t want to continuously listen to full tilt. Maybe once and a while. Can adding reserve power be enough.

[@hi-techcaraudio4303]

It depends on your existing power supply. If you're in a newer vehicle and running less than 1K watts (especially with a newer, more efficient amplifier like an Alpine, Kicker or JL) then you should be fine.

[@rayziare]

I have , dual 12" rockford fosgate p3 12 loaded enclosure , with a rockford r2-1200x1 amp , but im still dimming , i was told this was a good amp on power consumption ??? Plus my head unit is the jvc KW-Z1000W

[@DeeHermanson]

You need another battery. That's what I had to do

[@igamefordays9471]

Altnator on “”newer”” cars should be 120-160 amps i power a 6k amp with 2 15s with no charge issues. Have only peaked around 4000watts but no issues ever on stock wiring

[@riley_400]

I have a 06 hyundai the car has a 130amp alt. Do you think I could run a jp13 amp?

[@biguzivert]

Not stock battery though. You absolutely cannot pull that much without a little bit of reserve power on stock alt.

[@igamefordays9471]

@@biguzivert to this day I am yet to have issues a bit of light dimming nothing major.

[@igamefordays9471]

@@riley_400 get a 2nd battery for the subs and you should be fine

[@biguzivert]

@@igamefordays9471 How much agm you got? I get about 1000 watts at 10 volts with no continuous drop. I don’t believe Im getting my full alternator output because by battery is cheapest of the cheap and small with high resistance.

[@georgebussey3463]

Great information

[@hi-techcaraudio4303]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lilbitofeverything8573]

I have a 2013 hyaundai veloster I have a 2000 watt wdx amp With dual 12 Rockford p3. I have a die hard agm battery Lights dim at high bass notes Also I notice my rpm needle gauge fluctuating when notes are hit! I was told to get a good capacitor 10 farad/ or super cap. I was also told another battery. Battery was tested and alternator. And both is fine I’m trying to stay reasonable in the pricing. But what could I do to solve this?

[@Ron_Presley]

Big 3 and possible higher amp alternator

[@lilbitofeverything8573]

@@Ron_Presley no capacitor?

[@Ron_Presley]

I don’t think many use capacitors anymore but use a good 2nd car audio battery. Plus I’m pretty sure it’s best to mount it by your amps. That and Big 3 with only 100% oxygen free copper and no cable with aluminum in it.

[@Randompointofview177]

Agreed! Awesome short

[@hi-techcaraudio4303]

Thanks man!

[@dawarden2363]

I just got some jbl stage 2 speakers at 240w and my headlights start flickering but only on my low beams , high beams work without any problems

[@dawarden2363]

So if i get an amp everything should be fine yes?

[@nickgenre1]

if you dont want your lights to dim you do the following.... alternator upgrade...big three upgrade...second battery...isolator on the second battery....then the amp will not pull any power from your main battery

[@txddyfarquh69]

Can you fire me a link for this "isolator" that I possibly will need plz? Cheers

[@tommylortz411]

I am about to install 2 wolfram AW5Ks at 1.3 ohm each. I have a 320 amp alt and 80 ah yinlong . Is that enough electrical support?

[@hi-techcaraudio4303]

As long as you have a high performance battery ... and you've done a Big 3 upgrade, I don't see why not.

[@wjkgreen]

@@hi-techcaraudio4303 Make your mind up here. Batteries are only needed to start the engine.

[@wjkgreen]

Personally, I wouldn't advise messing with unknown current rated batteries for such implementations. It only takes one cell out of a bank to vent, causing a catastrophe. Battery packs must be precisely resistance matched and monitored during operation.

[@floydwilliams3321]

Tx

[@kingofrannoch]

I'm more amazed a 400 watt amp was dimming his headlights

[@SeanOMatic]

Sup Sean!?

[@XZA978]

Are you from east Indian descent? Anyways nice review.

[@hi-techcaraudio4303]

Thanks man! Persian heritage, born and raised in the US of A 💪

[@frankuribe6500]

When do you suggest adding a battery for the audio?

[@hi-techcaraudio4303]

Hey Frank - if we've done a Big 3 upgrade and are still getting lights dimming, we'll try adding a battery. If the problem persists then you're talking about a new alternator.

[@frankuribe6500]

Getting a Mechman alternator 🔜

[@VampLife_MiLLzY]

Wat about 5,000 watt amp wat alternator I need

[@hi-techcaraudio4303]

So that depends.. What's the year/make/model of your car? What amplifier are you running? Are your headlights dimming, or is your battery dying too? There are a few variables involved when deciding what size alternator to choose. Without getting into the weeds, I'd say a Mechman 250amp alternator will work fine in most cases.

[@wjkgreen]

I'd need to know the exact model of the amp being used.

[@rodcrandall1589]

can we all agree them old caps were just a scam

[@hi-techcaraudio4303]

Definitely!

[@wjkgreen]

Actually, they worked fine. Many people simply didn't know how to use an incandescent bulb to charge them prior to installation or that they needed to be.

[@raulbosquez3915]

What if you did all that and still dimming???

[@hi-techcaraudio4303]

Then you've got a parasitic draw somewhere and need to do in-depth testing.

[@wjkgreen]

Or you're pulling more current than a single alternator can provide. That's why multi alternator kits exist. Extreme systems need extreme accessories.