More AMPEGE from ALternator!?

[scm320]

Okay so My alternator died and i got another one and so far so good but if i turn my system up all the way the deck turns off then on again while idling. When im driving its fine or if i have the rpms at 1k at least. Is there an alternator i can put in that gives out more power? Like from a newer 3 series or a 5? Im not sure how it all works it just sounds like an idea? Any help would be apreciated

[Mless5]

1. it is amperage
2. Are you sure it is not a wiring issue of your deck?

[scm320]

oh my bad i didnt spell it correctly but yeah i Am positive! Thats what i thought it was at first so i got it rewired. it still does it.

[netcsk]

Would you mind listing everything not stock that you have drawing on the electrical system? Amps with their ratings or model numbers, your headunit, anything else random like 100w bulbs, etc.

You have to need quite a bit of power to hurt the electrical system. It may not be that your alternator can't put out enough, it may be that it is worn to the point that it won't put out enough.

[Mless5]

See if you can borrow a headunit.

[scm320]

Well i was thinking that was a possibility that the alternator just could be worn out but when i got my new alternator it still did it. And i also got a new deck. A panisonic 54x4 watt nothing crazy yet. And as well the problem persists. I have a 850 watt RE 10 inch sub woofer with a 2000 watt usa amplifier. Two kenwood 5x5 speakers in the back and two infinity 4x4 speakers in the front. As well as those stock tweeters but those are blown. I have Some Hids as well but i am pretty sure those should be using less power than the stock bulbs.

I heard that you can take an alternator from like a newer 3 or 5 series and just thrown it on and it should be fine but considering no one has said anything i guess not. Im almost positive its just not a strong enough alternator, i just dont know what else to do. Im about to add a 12 inch 1000 watt treo soon but i need more power. I have a power cell with is basically a capacitor x 100 but im waiting to fix this problem first

[Mless5]

You are answering your own question. If you put it a new alternator and it went caput, you have a problem somewhere. I have way more stereo shit in my car than you do and I don't even have any light flickering. FYI capacitor won't do shit, it's a marketing gimmick and you are falling for it.

With that said, I would start by inspecting and cleaning all grounds and other important electrical connections under the hood. Get electrical diagrams and start tracing chains.

[scm320]

I didn't say the second one failed i said the problem is still there even with a new alternator. The capacitor information is irrelevant. I will check my grounds and stuff. And your most likely right because i had no sub in the car before and it would turn off when i pushed the brakes so yeah. I will check. i dont know what to check for. I Re routed all the power and ground and everything so its not connected to other wires in the car. My power wire and ground go straight to the battery and still. So if you could give me some kind of direction as to what to look for that would be much appreciated.

[Mless5]

In e28 world we have the same problem and dedicated power (which you already have) and dedicated ground solve the problem 99%. So I would find a nice grounding spot and ground your head unit there. 10 minutes and easy to do.

I didn't say the second one failed i said the problem is still there even with a new alternator. The capacitor information is irrelevant. I will check my grounds and stuff. And your most likely right because i had no sub in the car before and it would turn off when i pushed the brakes so yeah. I will check. i dont know what to check for. I Re routed all the power and ground and everything so its not connected to other wires in the car. My power wire and ground go straight to the battery and still. So if you could give me some kind of direction as to what to look for that would be much appreciated.

[netcsk]

You are answering your own question. If you put it a new alternator and it went caput, you have a problem somewhere. I have way more stereo shit in my car than you do and I don't even have any light flickering. FYI capacitor won't do shit, it's a marketing gimmick and you are falling for it.

With that said, I would start by inspecting and cleaning all grounds and other important electrical connections under the hood. Get electrical diagrams and start tracing chains.

It is hardly a marketing gimmick. It is for very large sub amps that that can eat up power for only a few moments and more often than not, they aren't needing all that power. Therefore, the cap charges without causing an over-drain when the sub is not hitting, and discharges when the sub is hitting.

Rather simple really. Caps are wonderful for quick high power delivery on demand (camera flashes?).

But yeah, it sounds like a bad ground for the head-unit.

[papajetta]

dont ignore the theory that ur second alternator could have just gone bad by itself. remember they are all rebuilt. plus it wouldnt be the first time it wouldve happened to me. just take it to strauss. they test them for free

[StereoInstaller1]

Fuck, bub, it is so simple to test these issues...didn't we have this conversation over on emo-tech?

1. Grab a DVM that has quick response, or an old analog meter with a quick needle.
2. Test the voltage using the deck ground: test both constant and switched.

3. Report your results here so guys like netcsk, Mless5 or superduper (or of course me) can tell you how to fix it. The point is to share the info so others can learn from it too.

[scm320]

Yeah i already had my alternator checked so its fine. But Stereo installer, it wasnt me you had this conversation with, otherwise i wouldnt be here now. But i will try to do what you suggested. I first need to get ahold of a dvm. Thanks again i will return with the info

[StereoInstaller1]

Cool man, the other guy seemed "tardish".

If you can't find a DVM, just grab a testlight and test power with that, but in a darkened area so you can watch the bulb dim (or not).

GL!
Luke

[scm320]

oh okay yeah i have a test light i will do that instead
Thanks luke


Stephen