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are my volts high enough now?

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Old 09-21-2000, 09:50 PM
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are my volts high enough now?

i just got a new battery and new alternator in a few days ago, and when my stereo is on, the volts on the dash read about 10-11, and my capasitor range from 11-13. is this ok? i don't wanna kill my car again with all this power. if it's not ok, then what can i do?
Old 09-21-2000, 11:18 PM
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Whoa, how many watts are you pushing. I have a 600 watt amp and 180 watts of deck power and still have enough to run my high beams on without the volts dropping below 13!
Old 09-21-2000, 11:33 PM
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You need to be at least over 12.6 volts to be charging the battery. If your below 12.5v, your drawing power from the battery because your alt cant keep up with the load. If it remains that low while your driving, you will end up with a dead battery. Does this only happen when the stereo is turned on?

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Old 09-22-2000, 09:11 PM
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ok, here is my stereo, not too sure of the watts though.

pioneer cd deck deh-p8200
pioneer 4 channel amp GM-X944
2 pioneer TS-A6959 3 way 6x9's 160 watts
2 pioneer TS-W383DVC 15" subs
and the stock dash speakers. what can i do to keep the power up? yes it is when only the stereo is on. then it don't help when my lights, fog lights and neon lights are on at night.
Old 09-22-2000, 10:02 PM
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Does the voltage drop off all the time or when you have the volume high? You'll prolly need a high output alternator.

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[This message has been edited by Justins86bird (edited September 22, 2000).]
Old 09-23-2000, 10:46 PM
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it is only when the stereo is up loud. how would i go about hooking a second battery up in the rear glove box for more power? would that work at all too?
Old 09-24-2000, 12:57 AM
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Adding a second battery will only allow you to play your stereo a bit longer when your car isnt running. It will not help you in this case. You will have to put in a high output alt or play you stereo at a lower volume.

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Old 09-24-2000, 01:09 AM
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man, I can't believe your alt. isn't keeping up with that. I run a reman 93 amp in my car, and it keeps up with my headlights, fogs, and fan and still holds itself up with the stereo amps drawing around 110 amps at full volume. You may want to find out which amp alternator you have an at least upgrade to the highest available for our cars, which I believe to be 93. I am running an Alpine 1505 (900 watts), and an Orion 275SX (150 watts)

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Old 09-25-2000, 07:20 AM
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I agree with MYZ. That pioneer amp shouldn't have enough of a draw to make your voltage dip. You may have a bad alternator or poor conduction due to corroded wire ends, etc.

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