Headlights dim when subs hit, also subs stutter too

[darryl360]

New problem lol...so with my subs and all goin out i got that problem fixed at an car audio store, but now i got a new problem:cry:

-i have 2 12" kicker crv, running on a orion 2400 watt amp
-When i turn it up the bass starts hitting, but when I turn it up a little more, the subs start stuttering and my cars headlights dim
-I was told i should change my car battery and add a capaciter and that should fix my subs stuttering and lights dimming problem
-Any suggestions?

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Headlights dim when subs hit, also subs stutter too

add a capaciter, do the big 3 wire upgrade, upgrade the alternator to a high output one (more than 105 amps which is stock) and get a red top battery and call it a day.

[ssms5411]

Re: Headlights dim when subs hit, also subs stutter too

I would do the big 3 wire upgrade, if your batt. is old , I would look into a Opitma and maybe a high output ALT. I would just do them by steps and see what works you might just need a good batt. and wire upgrade.

You beat me TKO by 2 min.LOL

[darryl360]

Re: Headlights dim when subs hit, also subs stutter too

and this should stop my subwoofers from stuttering and lights dimming?

[ssms5411]

Re: Headlights dim when subs hit, also subs stutter too

Stuttering sounds like a wiring problem or amp clipping.

[darryl360]

Re: Headlights dim when subs hit, also subs stutter too

Stuttering sounds like a wiring problem or amp clipping.

so if you had this problem, what would be your way to fix it?
rewire everything and do the big 3?

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Headlights dim when subs hit, also subs stutter too

do what we told you.

its not gonna be cheap but you don't want to be running out of juice for your cars electrical system.

[bwkmaro]

Re: Headlights dim when subs hit, also subs stutter too

ur stock altenator should be plenty just get a good capacitor like 1.5 farad and ur lights and ur sub will be fine no matter how good ur batt is when ur sub kicks itll still dim ur lights if u got a high output altenator it would help but still do it the only thing is a capacitor but dont skimp on it get a good one and itll fix it garenteed cause im running a memphis car audio and a RF amp with a 1.5 farad capacitor and i can set car alarms off

[96firebird311]

Re: Headlights dim when subs hit, also subs stutter too

ur stock altenator should be plenty

How do you know this without knowing anything about his amp? "Orion 2400 watt" could easily mean a 2400WRMS Orion amp. Even if that's peak power, 1200WRMS is still no slouch. Who knows what else he has. (Pulleys?)

H/O alts are cheap for the f-body. And they are the best upgrade you can do. They'll run you $225-$275 area for a quality one. Ensure you're getting one that has high output AT IDLE.

As for subs stuttering... I would tend to think clipping as well. Most any amp will simply kick off due to low voltage. Not output some crazy fluctuating amount of power. Back the bass boost and the gain down a touch.

[darryl360]

Re: Headlights dim when subs hit, also subs stutter too

How do you know this without knowing anything about his amp? "Orion 2400 watt" could easily mean a 2400WRMS Orion amp. Even if that's peak power, 1200WRMS is still no slouch. Who knows what else he has. (Pulleys?)

http://www.orioncaraudio.com/Product...?ProductID=508

[RadRacer]

Re: Headlights dim when subs hit, also subs stutter too

I'd agree that the stuttering is clipping; do you know how to properly set the gain on the amp? Most likely, it's up too high. As for the dimming, a cap will fix it; I'd do the Big 3 first, as it'll probably be the cheapest of the 4 options and will help out the most IMO.


Do you know how your subs are wired? I'd guess 2Ohm load, so you're giving them 800WRMS (or 400WRMS each), but the audio store may have wired them up for 4Ohm (425WRMS, so just over 200W each). If you're looking for more thump from them, then wiring them up for 2Ohm would be the best bet, and should give some nice bass.

[96firebird311]

Re: Headlights dim when subs hit, also subs stutter too

The Kicker CompVRs come in both 2 ohm DVC and 4 ohm DVC. So it's impossible for us to know what impedance his subs are presenting to the amp.

On this note, I ran a class D 1000WRMS amp and a class A/B 400WRMS amp on the stock firebird alt and had serious dimming issues. So his dimming claims are not far fetched.

Regardless, if you have some spare 4g (or larger) wire sitting around, you can try the big 3 upgrade. Else I would just spring for the H/O alt. Why spend $100 on a cap and hopefully band-aid the problem when you can spend $225 and heal this problem and leave you headroom to add another amp.

[bwkmaro]

Re: Headlights dim when subs hit, also subs stutter too

i understand what ur saying but if any one is asking about this stuff they r talking about normal watts most people dont know what rms even is. watts r like horse power it really dont mean **** just a number put on stuff to make it easyer for people. i run a 125 rms amp in my car with a competition memphis sub and with my 125rms ill out hit any one with a 15" sub and the biggest amp they can buy because its set up right.....

[96firebird311]

Re: Headlights dim when subs hit, also subs stutter too

Pretty tall claim there..... glad you have yours set up right.;)