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Hello,

I had a new stereo system installed about a week ago. Car has been running fine. I normally don't drive far everyday. Last night I drove for about a half an hour on the highway with my amp (Sound Ordinance M4100 4x100W) and speakers going good. I noticed my battery light came on...then went off...then came on for about 10 seconds. I turned off the radio and amp and the light went off.

Now is this a problem with my bettery? My Altenator?
My lights do not dim when the bass hits or anything and it is not that crazy of a system...

turned car off waited awhile, started fine..light hasn't come on again...

Any thoughts?

 
Rep Power: 215

Take the car to a local auto parts store and see if they can test your alternator while your system is on...sounds like your amp is pulling more juice than your alternator is wanting to put out....

Look into a capacitor for your amp...

 
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Ok Thanks. Yeah, I looked in the manual and it says if the light is on then the battery is not charging hence the altenator.

So your saying a Cap would solve this problem?

I was wondering if I would need a new altenator or even a higher amp altenator...The cap would be the cheapest way to go I guess if that solves the problem. I will get it tested. Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 215

May not "solve" your prob, but will help. word of advice, don't try to go the cheap route, you always end up spending more money in the end. I had the stock alt and batt on my system with no probs...

2 15's 1000wat jensen, and another 4 channel...with cap...

 
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Caps don't fix this issue, I can't stand how many people think that is what they are for...redo your charge wiring under your hood.

Spending money on the wire is a better investment then a useless capacitor...

 
Rep Power: 293

Agree. Stiffening Caps are intended for short peak bass transients (back when I was an avid audiophile, I used one), not to rectify alternator or wiring deficiencies. Re-wiring is a smart first move. Reletively cheap too. Electric130 sells a Big 3 ground wire kit. I did my own recently.

4 AWG Ground Wire


Battery and Dual 4 AWG Negative Terminal (one wire to each ground point)

 
Rep Power: 209

when the battery light comes on when the engine is running that means your alternator is not putting out enough power for the current draw/demands of the vehicle....when this happens your vehicle starts sucking power from the battery to make up for it....

a higher output alternator (amps) will solve your problem, i am not sure they make any, have never looked into it