Rep Power: 317

i've had a system for about a year now and just recently i've started having some voltage issues. whenever im accelerating my volts drop to about 11.2-11.4 and if its at night my gauges dim, even if my system isnt on. the only time it comes back up is if i let off the gas and keep it in gear then the volts will jump back up to 12.6 or so. if i turn the a/c on the volts will come back up also. i have a ground wire kit, and all the wires look like they are hooked up properly if that means anything. could my alternator be gone? or do i have a loose wire somewhere? i'm still running on a stock battery btw.

my system specs:
460w rms kenwood amp
2 (12") infinity kappa perfect

 
Rep Power: 360

when you are just pulling out from a dead stop the 7th gen civic acts a little funny. for the first few mph (0-3 maybe) the car drops low. and I mean sub 12 volt. lowest ive seen is 11.8. Also sometimes while coasting at a very low rpm if i gently touch the gas it will do the same.
I have an auto FYI.
I have the same problem but not as low. Let your car idle for a few minutes, and drive around with nothing playing for a day to try to get the battery charged fully. get your battery checked/charged if possible. It may just be a low battery. Try that.

So you know ive been in a 6th gen that dipped to 11.4 every day all the time while slowing down/pulling out and it was 100% ok. So hondas voltage regulators are retarted. thats may just be all.

 
Rep Power: 317

hmm okay i will try the battery charging thing, but i really wish it wouldnt dip down to 11.4 cause its really annoying at night when all my dash lights dim to like half-strength until i let off the gas. it also sucks cause sometimes if i shut the car off right away it wont start again.

 
Rep Power: 811

the voltage always goes up and down. When the alternator goes, you will know it. There's a battery light that comes on and you don't get any charge. The only thing that could have happened is the battery is weakening. If you have a stock battery and you drain/charge alot (by having a big system), it will never get back to full capacity. You need a deep cycle optima.

 
Rep Power: 360

yeah that sounds like a weak battery. it also looks like you have HIDs. this may be causing the voltage to drop alot during driving if you have them on. the car at times is using alot of that 70 amps the alt is putting out. and with HIDs on, its going to strain to keep it all up and running. Im assuming this is why you are having that. You can always stop at a dealership and ask them to look at it. that may be the best idea. just tell them about the HIDs though so they have a heads up.

anyone else think of something?!

 
Rep Power: 317

yes i do have hid's, and the problem did start occuring a little after i installed them. a weak battery is just waht i wanted to hear.. i've been looking forward to upgrading to a yellow top, thanks guys

btw: i knew the alternator wasnt gone, i meant is it dieing** sorry

 
Rep Power: 811

um no. hid is 35w, halogen is 55w. The only time it sucks alot of juice is for the first *second* that they're turned on. Just get the yellow top. I've run my stereo alot with battery power and its always gone back up to normal.

 
Rep Power: 360

yeah you are right about wattage and HIDs. i was thinking of those stupid PIAA bulbs. im sorry.

 
Rep Power: 317

yeah, the warm-up period for the hid's is what takes the most wattage.. then it only consumes 35w. wheres the cheapest place to get a yellow top, and i heard its better to get a normal size then to get a 51r, true?

 
Rep Power: 811

get the group 51. perfect fit and it still outperforms stock. Should be fine. I got mine for $120 local at farm and fleet.

 
Rep Power: 317

i went out an bought the yellow top in d34/78 size cause someone on the forum suggested the bigger battery. had to custom fit it in hahahah it was 159.99 but its awesome now... but some times very RARELY it still drops to 11.6, but i think thats just normal. thanks gearbox/diskreet if i had green rep i would rep yall =(

 
Rep Power: 360

you're welcome. glad we could help!

 
Rep Power: 317

damn, you reply fast.

 
Rep Power: 811

lol now you won't kill the battery by letting it drain and recharge.

 
Rep Power: 360

lol i know i reply fast, i have instant email notification on and i got the email as i walked in my room from being out. so by luck it was that fast.
that and im addicted to this site now.

 
Rep Power: 295

okay okay, why is this whole topic looking fu cked up.. if you are driving you should be up to atleast 14.4v. either you guys are on crack or ur cars are. With the car off, the battery runs at 12.6-8 full charge. So please tell me why you are running 12-11 while driving and no system bumping...

 
Rep Power: 317

i've never seen 14 in my car. ever since i got a volt meter that is (escort passport x50 radar)

with the new optima i am still hitting 11.4-13.1, i'm not sure if this is normal

 
Rep Power: 295

dude, an alt runs at 14v, if you are running at 12s then its already dead, you are just running ur **** off a bat and thats why after a little time ur other battery(stock) wasnt able to push no more juice, how it laster you soo long is a mystery. that or your volt meter is trying to screw you. its also possible that your alt belt might be slipping causing it to only charge soo much and when you turn on a/c it will cause it to tighten a tad. Running at a higher speed as u were saying/accelerating would maybe cause it to slip causing the voltage drop since ur battery doesnt have a full charge. Get your belts checked and your alt, i think autozone in the states does it for free or something.. someone pls say im not the one on crack here.

 
Rep Power: 811

alternator turns on and off as the ELD sees fit. When there is not much power needed, it shuts off to conserve lifespan. Keep in mind that the eld does NOT see any stereo equipment becuase of the way these things are wired. 11-12v while driving is very normal.

 
Rep Power: 317

well it doesnt have to be at a high speed.. i can be going 15 mph and as long as i am stepping on the gas a little the volts will show 11.2-11.4

 
Rep Power: 295

test ur alt just to be sure, i dont want your baby do die on u while ur driving.

 
Rep Power: 317

i got it tested it autozone. he said it was fine. then again.. he said my battery was fine too..

 
Rep Power: 360

yeah its normal. i have a volt meter. in all honesty a cars electrical system is ideally at 14.4 but that never happens so 13.8 is the middle ground. even that is high. dont worry if you are always in the 12s and 13s and not hitting 14 much/ever

 
Rep Power: 317

yea but with my new battery i should not still be hitting 11.4's

 
Rep Power: 360

yeah maybe your ELD is going. dealership might be the next trip if the problem is still there.

 
Rep Power: 317

it is. =( i wonder if an eld is expensive

 
Rep Power: 360

i doubt its that i honestly think your car is ok, but there is that chance its not which scares me. i have no idea how much it is. i just read alot about someone else here having theirs go one them. dont remember the cost or who. if it was bad, though, you may notice your car not running well.

 
Rep Power: 317

well i KNOW something is still wrong with it... cause at night sometimes my gauges still dim, even with no system on. i havent seen 14v at all, not even high 13's. i guess i have to stop by honda tomorrow..

i spent 170 bucks on this battery i want to use it to its full potential

 
Rep Power: 360

yeah i would too. sorry i cant help you any more

 
Rep Power: 811

alternators are weak on our cars. Yea my gauges dim too whats the big deal? When the weather gets colder, you'll see it put out more voltage.