Hi All,
I have a new system in my truck. I'm having some power problems. I did the big three, I upgraded my alternator to 235amp, All wiring has been upgraded to top quality 2/0 guage welding cable which is Massive and I have two kinetik 2000 batteries ( due to layout issues my batteries are 2.5' from my power distribution fuse blocks) I'm currently running 4 db drive pd2000d amps strapped together powering 4 AA mayhem 12's dual 1 ohm hooked up in series. I am also running 2 JL Audio HD600/4 amps, both bridged and hooked up to two sets of Audison AV K6's in my doors.

No I don't have a back seat anymore!

Sometimes I go out and just to escape reality I crank the crap out of my system and go for a long drive. At night I have found that my lights dim quite a bit on heavy base tracks. It's not as bad as it was before I added the extra batteries but I also added an extra 2 subs and an extra 2 - 2000 watt amps. It's quite noticeable and very annoying. I know from experience that if my amps don't get good power they heat up way too easy and clip. My last pair of amps (JL Audio Slash V2 1000's) burnt out and I was told that If I were to continue I would have to seriously upgrade my electrical or risk doing it again to whatever else I put in there.

What do you guys think? Where should I go next?

Sincerely,
D. Noakes.

 

8000watts /0.65 (eff) / 12volts = 1026amps

Yep, yer lights are going to dim. Trying to alleviate it with a conventional charging system is almost impossible.

If you truly want to keep the system from dimming the headlights you will need to isolate it from the vehicle electrical system. Fill half your bed with deepcycles (better yet, 8v+6v battery combos in parallel if the amps will take the voltage), stick a voltmeter on the dash to keep an eye on them, and either get a dedicated alternator for them or charge them up overnight, every night.

 

Well the extra battery thing won't work. I need the cargo area for work. I could possibly go with another 2 agm batteries in the cab and maybe a big cap. I've been looking for an altinator that's got some good kick but they seem to get stupid for pricing if I want more than 235 amps. I will have to get creative if I hook up another altinator since my wife demands air conditioner stay!

 

Wrangler used to make a standard size alternator with two separate charge posts so you could run one to the car and the other to the stereo, eliminating the need for separate alternators. I didn't see it on their site but they still might make it.