Subwoofers vs Alternators

[NeoMishMoo]

A couple months back I'm driving at dawn and my car starts running terribly, like fuel pump dying, pump the gas little response, I turn off my headlights and like magic it brings my car to life and I'm able to get home. I take my alternator to a machine/drag shop for testing and the guy comes back and says he replaced something on it and charged me $30. Car ran fine for months. Just did it on me again. First indicator is car stereo shuts off. then lights get dim, then car runs awful.

Haven't gotten my alternator looked at yet but I was just wondering if a high powered stereo could put too much strain on an old alternator. Currently running lukebox with 12" subwoofer powered by 300(rms)watt amp with no capacitor. Nothing crazy but it is enough to dim my headlights at high volumes.

[reelizmpro]

Sounds like a voltage regulator. Check it out and make sure the brushes are within spec. Also check the wiring on the alternator itself.

[Kevinl]

300 watts in not high power I doubt that's causing your issue

[R3Z3N]

I agree with both of the above.

[TobyB]

i agree with all THREE of the above...

heh

t

[ELVA164]

Check for vacuum leaks.

















;)

[NeoMishMoo]

300 watts in not high power I doubt that's causing your issue

Enough to dim my lights during the sick bass drops, lol.
300rms is like 8,000 max watts by today's shitty amp standards.
(my buddy did literally have a 1,200* watt amp that put out only 300rms.

[Kevinl]

:(

Enough to dim my lights during the sick bass drops, lol.
300rms is like 8,000 max watts by today's shitty amp standards.
(my buddy did literally have a 1,200* watt amp that put out only 300rms.

A good amp doesn't have a max rating I have Rockford fosgate power 1000bdcp in my suburban and it is actually underrated its more like 1300 rms @ 1 ohm

I haven't put a stereo in the e30 yet because I cant find a ski pass rear seat:hitler:

[R3Z3N]

Enough to dim my lights during the sick bass drops, lol.
300rms is like 8,000 max watts by today's shitty amp standards.
(my buddy did literally have a 1,200* watt amp that put out only 300rms.

If it's dimming your lights during those "sick bass drops" then you do have a problem, as you are already well aware of. I have a 600w Mmats D600.1 amp with a Mmats P3.0 10" rated for 1000w, along with a Audison SR5 400w 5 channel amp running my woofers/tweeters with no problems (because it WAS running my sub as well). My lights or other electrical items have no dimming happening when playing something loud with lots of bass IE Utah Jazz: Vintage I don't even consider my setup to be "high powered."

[IRON-E]

Got 2x12"s, 1200 wtt amp @900rms, droping old school bass all the time.

Autozone slternator, bmw regulator and yellow top optima battery.

No dimming issues at all, maybe a short with your wiring?

[Cephas]

I don't do the system thing anymore, but in my old e30 with a crappy battery and the stock, orginal alternator I ran 2 Alpine V12's, 2x12 MTX subs, components front and 5 1/4's in rear and never had dimming issues.

[Gregs///M]

Engine ground cable needs replacing or cleaning. This cable is the ground loop for the starter and alternator, which supply both power and ground for the battery and the rest of the car electronics.

A poor engine ground cable will cause the exact symptoms you just listed, especially with moments of high current demand (bass notes)

Start there. Consider my cables which can be found in my signature, they are heavy duty, and almost twice as thick as OEM. Perfect for cars with Sub systems.

[NeoMishMoo]

Consider my cables which can be found in my signature, they are heavy duty, and almost twice as thick as OEM. Perfect for cars with Sub systems.

I am going through cleaning my ground connections, if problem persists I will consider your cables.

I guess I should have stated "powered" and not "high powered"

I realize that I have a problem, my main question was to whether or not these conditions could permanently damage the alternator. Seeing as how I have had to have it serviced once before.