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Thread: Power problems - cap, battery or alternator |
    
New member Username: Jjbumbrella
Post Number: 1
Registered: Oct-07
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| Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 06:02 pm: |
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Hi there
Ive just put a 12inch active vibe sub from my boy racer days into my missus's car along with and alpine 4 channel amp bridged to power two 6x9s and a pioneer head unit which runs the (surprisingly nice sounding) standard MK4 golf speakers. All works well until I turn it up around 2/3rds, then when a big bass or busy instrumental comes (at the moment whe your brain is about to release the endorphines and put a big smile on your face) the whole system cuts out and skipps as though the CD is jumping or something is cutting out. It's not the CD as it doesnt happen when the volume is low and theres a squeeky electrical type sound that you get with audio stuff.
I'm wandering if a cap is the answer but what I have read in the other threads they sound like a cheap myth. I'm 26 now and its been a while since I picked up the likes of a maxpower mag, so any help would be much appreciated - thanks. |
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Gold Member Username: Nd4spd18
Northwest PA
Post Number: 3329
Registered: Jul-06
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| Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 10:32 pm: |
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Turn down the gain on your amp |
Platinum Member Username: Glasswolf
Wisteria,
Lane
USA
Post Number: 12037
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 07:40 am: |
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after doing the above, have the alternator, starter, and battery checked under load at a locak auto parts store. |
Gold Member Username: Th3pwn3r
Post Number:...
Post Number: 5284
Registered: Jul-06
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| Posted on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 03:24 pm: |
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Squeeky sound?Perhaps you're talking about alternator whine?Do you have your signal cables running along or next to your power cable(s)?Is the amplifier getting hot?If it is you're probably running it too hard and that's what's causing it to "cut out". |
Bronze Member Username: Wylie_coyote
Post Number: 98
Registered: Apr-07
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| Posted on Friday, October 19, 2007 - 08:01 am: |
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this will be a little off topic i think, but i read it in one of the threads in this forum that it makes no difference how close the power and signal cables are. is this not the case? |
Gold Member Username: Th3pwn3r
Post Number:...
Post Number: 5382
Registered: Jul-06
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| Posted on Friday, October 19, 2007 - 08:32 am: |
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It depends on the cables used.Some unshielded RCA cables or cheap cables will suffer from whine.It's also a grounding issue. |
Gold Member Username: Nd4spd18
Northwest PA
Post Number: 3441
Registered: Jul-06
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| Posted on Friday, October 19, 2007 - 03:14 pm: |
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The easy way to tell is if the noise changes whit the RPMs, it's alternator noise in the electrical system. |
Platinum Member Username: Glasswolf
Wisteria,
Lane
USA
Post Number: 12069
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 07:42 am: |
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power and ground do not need to be separated.
what you do need to do is keep the signal and power lines away from crossovers, and anything connected to the ignition system, which will both induce noice.
if you get alternator whine, it's usually caused by a bad ground somewhere. Often, at the head unit. |
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