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Topic: Just Installed Alternator. Help!! (Read 1372 times) previous topic - next topic

Just Installed Alternator. Help!!

Well i just installed a POWERMASTER 140 amp alternator to my 1988  t bird that has a 5.0 engine. my problem is that i dunt have a system in my car i just have 2 6"9 pioneers and a sony explode radio with no amp or sothign and whne i put the volume loud, you can still see teh light dim a little . I can put it loud and it has been a big difference with teh alternator, but wat could be making the radio dim every time a loud beat comes??? help me out plz
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]5.0 Standard
REBUILT MUSTANG AOD
Magnaflow mustang exhaust
BBK shorties
mark vii h pipe
BBK intake
KYB shocks , struts
moog springs

Just Installed Alternator. Help!!

Reply #1 –
The radio itself is dimming? Probably normal if you're using the radio's internal amp. The power wire going to the radio is gonna have a voltage drop as current increases, and current will spike when bass noteshiznit.

As long as other lights in the car arent dimming too much (they might still flicker, but they shouldn't dim a lot) you should be OK. The voltage regulator needs a certain amount of time to react to voltage drops, and momentary voltage drops due to bass are too fast for the voltage regulator to even see, let alone react to.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Just Installed Alternator. Help!!

Reply #2 –
the radio it self is dimming and then shuts off its it at a high volume when a bass comes up. what can i do ? will it be fixed if i hook up a power wire to the battery??? cause i didnt stall a full system yet
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]5.0 Standard
REBUILT MUSTANG AOD
Magnaflow mustang exhaust
BBK shorties
mark vii h pipe
BBK intake
KYB shocks , struts
moog springs

Just Installed Alternator. Help!!

Reply #3 –
You might need a thicker power wire to the radio - the stock one may not be capable of powering the high-power amp in the more modern radio.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Just Installed Alternator. Help!!

Reply #4 –
What is the per chanel and total watts on the sony head unit? If you are using the factory speakers in the front (dash and door) over the factory harness, you are actually drawing twice the watts due to their parallel wiring which halves the resistance ( see: http://www.usspeaker.com/speaker%20wiring-1.htm ). Combine that with the draw from the 6x9 speakers and you might be causing an overload of the head unit's amp which will shut it down. The factory power wire should be sufficient provided you have a good connection. I run a Pioneer 50 rms x 4 head unit without a problem on the factory power feed.

The best solution is to get a 2 channel amp sutible for your 6x9s (or a bridgable 4 channel if you want, now or later, to add a sub) and a half farad capacitor. If you have rear pre-outs, use them to connect the amp. This should solve your problems so long as you do not have a severe wiring problem. While you are at it, pick up a pair of 2400 Hz Bass Blockers for your dash speakers and install them inline on the positive side of the speaker connection. This will save them from an early demise as they do not hold up to high bass levels.

Just Installed Alternator. Help!!

Reply #5 –
that used to happen to me    do you still have the factory ground wire that bolted to the stud on the factory head unit...  that wire is critical    if so run another ground