MX6.com - View Single Post - Low voltage/Dimming lights, please read this!!

mpyrol · 4-28-02, 22:49

Hello all.

I use this site fairly often and thought I would contribute. I work as an engineer for a manufacturer of automotive audio products. I have a few comments to make you guys should know.
1. Batteries give of noxious fumes; avoid adding batteries to the interior of your car. Gel cells may be used instead, however they have very limited life and when old will not charge above 12V after a year or so. Your amplifier needs the extra volt or two especially a regulated amp. There is a huge difference even with this small potential difference.
2. If your lights flicker after you add a capacitor and a new battery under your hood, the only way to alleviate your problem is an upgraded alternator. Under extended play your "added battery" will just die just as the battery under your hood is dieing.
3. A capacitor has to be big. These undersized caps are NOT 1 Farad.
4. Automotive electrical systems are capable of producing enough power to run a 200x2 watt amp, and this is with an adequate battery and capacitor. I recommend 300 watts. Trying to get more power to your speakers is futile. There is no more there to deliver unless you have three or four batteries and that is only for a few minutes.
5. A steady power source Is imperative to maintain the life of your amps, speakers and head units. Not only does your amp suffer due to excess heat (main symptom of poor current capability) but also your speakers see a nasty spike when your amp clips the top half of your signal.
To sum up, extra batteries are dangerous and very short lived. By the time you spend the money, time and effort you will agree, I should have bought an alternator. If this is out of your financial means, shoot for an efficient system. Buy quality not quantity; remember 200 watts is enough power to be heard. I'm working on a little system in a hobby car I just purchased. My goal is 150 Db with 300 watts of juice on two ten-inch speakers. I'll let you guys know in a few weeks how close I get. Good luck guys!!!!

4-28-02, 22:49	#14 (permalink)
mpyrol Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: USA,Ga. Age: 41 iTrader: (0)	More Power Stuff Hello all. I use this site fairly often and thought I would contribute. I work as an engineer for a manufacturer of automotive audio products. I have a few comments to make you guys should know. 1. Batteries give of noxious fumes; avoid adding batteries to the interior of your car. Gel cells may be used instead, however they have very limited life and when old will not charge above 12V after a year or so. Your amplifier needs the extra volt or two especially a regulated amp. There is a huge difference even with this small potential difference. 2. If your lights flicker after you add a capacitor and a new battery under your hood, the only way to alleviate your problem is an upgraded alternator. Under extended play your "added battery" will just die just as the battery under your hood is dieing. 3. A capacitor has to be big. These undersized caps are NOT 1 Farad. 4. Automotive electrical systems are capable of producing enough power to run a 200x2 watt amp, and this is with an adequate battery and capacitor. I recommend 300 watts. Trying to get more power to your speakers is futile. There is no more there to deliver unless you have three or four batteries and that is only for a few minutes. 5. A steady power source Is imperative to maintain the life of your amps, speakers and head units. Not only does your amp suffer due to excess heat (main symptom of poor current capability) but also your speakers see a nasty spike when your amp clips the top half of your signal. To sum up, extra batteries are dangerous and very short lived. By the time you spend the money, time and effort you will agree, I should have bought an alternator. If this is out of your financial means, shoot for an efficient system. Buy quality not quantity; remember 200 watts is enough power to be heard. I'm working on a little system in a hobby car I just purchased. My goal is 150 Db with 300 watts of juice on two ten-inch speakers. I'll let you guys know in a few weeks how close I get. Good luck guys!!!!