New Sound system=new problems.

[03silveradoaby]

I have an 03 silverado that i have recently upgraded my subs and amp in, since doing so i get major light dimming and voltage drop from battery meter. The amp is a kenwood Kac-x20 and 2 rockford p3shallows which are bridged to 4 ohms at 520rms, in a sealed box, the wiring is 8guage with an 80 amp fuse. I have the stock alternator and a newer delco battery. I have heard suggestions of
Better Battery, Larger wire, Cap, replacing the ground wires on alternator,battery and engine. I do not feel that i need to do all of those as I used to have 1800watts rms in an s-10 and never had an issue. Any suggestions would help. Thanks in advance

[Tdragone]

If your lights are dimming; your system is pulling more load than your alternator can supply.

You have 2 options..
1. upgrade alternator (What do you have now?)
2. install a capacitor to 'cover' the drain your amp is using when it hits. Caps are amazingly powerful.. so handle with care if you go this route.

When you refer to your S 10; what was the output of it's alternator?

[03silveradoaby]

I have only used stock alternators in any vehicle i have had, the s-10 was the 2.2 4 cyl and the silverado is a 4.8 delco alternator

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by 03silveradoaby

I have only used stock alternators in any vehicle i have had, the s-10 was the 2.2 4 cyl and the silverado is a 4.8 delco alternator

I believe your vehicle has a 105 amp alternator.when your vehicle is operating the alternator must put out 66 amps..I believe that with your audio amplfier capable of 1800watts that this is far above the 40 amp alternator reserve.....


Installing a large UFD capacitor in the correct place with a much larger alternator should help and eliminate your problem..


try to find a 140 amp that will fit properly, and this may mean belt pulley changes..as well ..


It is possible that you may get by with just the cap...but in any case you will cook that alternator...it will get very hot....

[reddedsilvy05]

Originally Posted by 03silveradoaby

I have an 03 silverado that i have recently upgraded my subs and amp in, since doing so i get major light dimming and voltage drop from battery meter. The amp is a kenwood Kac-x20 and 2 rockford p3shallows which are bridged to 4 ohms at 520rms, in a sealed box, the wiring is 8guage with an 80 amp fuse. I have the stock alternator and a newer delco battery. I have heard suggestions of
Better Battery, Larger wire, Cap, replacing the ground wires on alternator,battery and engine. I do not feel that i need to do all of those as I used to have 1800watts rms in an s-10 and never had an issue. Any suggestions would help. Thanks in advance

kinetik HC1400 battery would do the trick for the silverado, I switched that out with the AC Delco...i had the same problem as you with 4 10's...but now it is much better

[OGG]

Forget a cap, new battery or new alternator until you've checked and/or upgraded your wiring. Most dimming problems can be solved by upgrading the "big 3" wires. IMO there's no reason you should get significant dimming with that amount of power. I'm running two amps totaling ~800w RMS and the only time I get any noticeable dimming is at idle with the system cranked and other electrical accessories running.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by OGG

Forget a cap, new battery or new alternator until you've checked and/or upgraded your wiring. Most dimming problems can be solved by upgrading the "big 3" wires. IMO there's no reason you should get significant dimming with that amount of power. I'm running two amps totaling ~800w RMS and the only time I get any noticeable dimming is at idle with the system cranked and other electrical accessories running.

my 2000 silverado uses 66amps...the alternator is rated for 105amp...do the math..if you keep the bass down it should be with in a range that will not damage anything..

then why have a 1000w amp that draws 60amps...should get a 100w amp and then you don't have these issues..

[03silveradoaby]

Today i picked up a 140amp alternator, do i absolutely have to replace the wires to and from (the big 3) or will i be ok to run this way till I see some warmer weather, Sick now from doing a coolant system flush on blazer. The alternator on there now is 105 amp, and according to what i have read so far the alternator 140amp is a stock option on the truck

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by 03silveradoaby

Today i picked up a 140amp alternator, do i absolutely have to replace the wires to and from (the big 3) or will i be ok to run this way till I see some warmer weather, Sick now from doing a coolant system flush on blazer. The alternator on there now is 105 amp, and according to what i have read so far the alternator 140amp is a stock option on the truck

just replace the altenator and see how much dimming...it should be much less...then get the cap as this will protect the alternator from power surges...