Voltage Issues

['97RedBird]

After installing my system and watching my voltage meter dip into the yellow zone, I decided to get a high output alternator. I orderend one from Excessive Amperage (200 amp) and finally got a chance to install it today.

The first time I hooked it up I used 4 gauge wire from the battery to alternator and from the battery to the ground on the body right next to the battery. The voltage was actually worse then the original alternator so I shortened the bat. to alt. wire a bit. It helped but the voltage was still horrible.

Next I got some 1 gauge wire and used that from alt. to bat. and it helped tremndously. The problem is still there though. If I crank the system the voltage still drops a little and my lights still dim just like before, even with the rpm's above 2000.

The ground wire is still 4 gauge at the moment and I was wondering if changing it to 1 gauge as well will help at all. The other question is do I have to worry about the ground to block at all?

The alternator is running very hot as well. I was wondering what other people who have them have done and if they still have any problems. Also if anyone has any ideas or suggestions for me that would be awesome too.

[One Bad MOFO]

Re: Voltage Issues

christ man what do you have for an amp?!? i was thinking about thinking about getting a 200 amp alt for my car and i got a 2000-2500 wrms amp

[Greg94Red392]

Re: Voltage Issues

just curious, what amp are u running?

['97RedBird]

Re: Voltage Issues

Its a Kicker ZX1500.1. The birth sheet I got with it says it puts out 1743 watts.

I'm starting to suspect something may be wrong with the alternator. When I started up the car one time the alternator made a nasty whirring sound for about 20 seconds then stopped. I sent Nate an email but I just missed his business hours so I'm going to have to wait for a reply.

[Meatyshells]

Re: Voltage Issues

Do you have a power adder? of course you are going to have your lights dim

[Rick Brown]

Re: Voltage Issues

If you have the time & the tools, I would pop out the alt & run it over to Checker or Pep Boys. They can run it on their tester & let you know if it is running to its fullest, or weak.

[CAMAROWIDBASS]

Re: Voltage Issues

auto zone and places like that cant test HO alts. Because their machines only go up to about 800 RPM when a HO alt puts out its power at above 1k.

I have a pretty big system and a 180 amp ho alt and dual optima yellow tops in the back, the yellow tops act like a cap but are way better than a cap.

[Earnhardt132000]

Re: Voltage Issues

I'd say try switching all of the three big 3 wires over to 0 guage. Thats alt --> bat, bat --> chassis, and engine block --> chassis.

[One Bad MOFO]

Re: Voltage Issues

theres really no need for a cap if you have a good electrical system.

['97RedBird]

Re: Voltage Issues

Everyone I talked to said this alternator should be able to handle the amp without a problem. I checked the voltage running between all the wires and noting dropped at all so the wiring should be fine. I picked up some more 1 gauge wire to finish off the big 3 and I'm hoping this will help.

I actually just found some information on the box stating that 4 gauge wire should be enough but that didnt seem to be the case at all. Hopefully nate will have some more suggestions for me.

[articacid]

Re: Voltage Issues

maybe you have a weak battery. even with a h/o alt you will still draw power from the battery, especially on sudden burst of bass. if your battery is weak and your damanding more power than it can give, the voltage will drop.

['97RedBird]

Re: Voltage Issues

Time for another update. I went out and bought a Yellow top battery and it didn't help. I still have to get some 0 gauge wire to finish off the big 3 but cant seem to find it anywhere. I know my neighbor has a few feet but I have to wait for him to get home.

On another note, after I put the battery in I was tuning my amp and whatnot (my head unit volume was on 70 of 80, so it was damn loud) and after about 10 minutes the alternator was making this horrible noise similar to the first time. I really don't know how to describe it. It was kind of a rapid pace clicking with a whine. I turned off my system and let the car run for a few minutes to see if it would stop but it didn't. I turned off the car for 5 or so minutes and when I started it back up it was fine.

Has anyone heard of that? It doesn't seem normal at all.

I'm out of ideas here. If the big 3 doesn't work I guess I have no choice but to send it back.

[CAMAROWIDBASS]

Re: Voltage Issues

you can get a smaller pulley to make the alt spin faster thusfar producing more amprage.

what brand alt do you have?

['97RedBird]

Re: Voltage Issues

It's and alternator from Excessive Amperage.

Instead of waiting for 0 gauge wire I decided to use a piece of 4 gauge I had lying around and ran it to a different bolt on the block with no success.

My dad actually has a very old tester that will show how many amps the alternator is putting out but I'm missing a piece and cant use it until I find it. That will at least let me know that the alternator is working right and if its not I can stop going crazy about the wiring.

[Nikos95]

Re: Voltage Issues

Wow I have never heard someone compare a battery to a cap... They are completly different! COMPLETELY!

A cap balances voltage issues! A battery holds current! If you are having headlight issues try installing a cap or a small bank of them 2-3-5... With a good alternator which you have, and the batteries to put out the amps, they will keep the cap good and juiced which will keep your voltage balanced.

It's lack of voltage causing your problem not amps! Therefore don't blame the alt and battery that fast. Your cables are sick big enough trust me.

I pull 120 amps of power from my amps, and all I have is a 140 amp, and a single red top, added my 5farad cap bank, I have no issues ever!