Alpine Amp Shut Off/Alternator

[slimdog55]

I installed everything into my 2001 Grand Am GT last week, and I am still fine tuning my settings. I have a 2 amp set up, an Alpine PDX-4.100 powering Alpine SPR-13s and SPR-69C, and an Alpine PDX-1.600 powering 2 JL Audio 12W3v3-4's. I set up all the gains, and when I cranked the volume up on my Alpine CDA-9887 head unit, the mono amp powering the subs shut off, and went into protection mode. (I set the gains lower, so they don't shut off anymore) Why did it do this?

I'm thinking it's not getting enough power, or the voltage is dropping to low from my alternator because I'm running 2 amps. I am still on the stock alternator. When I do crank the volume up, my headlights do dim ALOT. I am currently saving up $300 and buying a 200 amp alternator from Excessive Amperage. (http://www.excessiveamperage.com/)

So if I upgrade my alternator, from the stock 105 amp to a high output 200 amp, this would for sure get rid of my dimming?

Also, since I am supplying more power, will this make my system louder? Will my subs bump even louder?

Sorry for all the questions. It's just that I spent around $2000 on my system, and want to know what good would come out of the high output alternator. Thanks.

[Blackhawk]

Get the battery load tested, check all of your wires, do the big 3 upgrade. What ohm are the subs wired to? Wire size, ground length, etc.

[Ralph]

First thing I would check is how you have your subs wired. I see that they are 4 ohms so if you have them wired in parallel you would be at 2 ohms which would get you the full 600w if you have them wired in series you would be at 8 ohms you would get less watts. After that just make sure everything is wired correctly I am running 1500watts off my stock battery and alt and having no problems what so ever. Also how big is your power wire I recently saw a huge mistake this weekend with someone running a 12 guage wire for 1000 watts and that was the root of all his power. Sometimes kits are made retardly if you got one.

[slimdog55]

My subs are wired at 2 ohms. I don't think it would matter if it was 4 ohms or 2 ohms considering the Alpine PDX line of amps supply the same at both ohms. (http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=PDX-1.600)

I am running Stinger 4 gauge power wire. I would feel so much better to just buy a high output alternator, so there will be no stress on my whole electrical system. What benefits would I get upgrading to a high output alternator?

[Blackhawk]

Check your wires too, a high output amp doesn't do anything if the wires are shit. The big three upgrade I mentioned earlier will remove alot of stress from your charging system.
A high output alternator will charge the battery more rapidly when it's seeing high drain. It will also increase any whine in your signal cables.

[Ralph]

My subs are wired at 2 ohms. I don't think it would matter if it was 4 ohms or 2 ohms considering the Alpine PDX line of amps supply the same at both ohms. (http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=PDX-1.600)

I am running Stinger 4 gauge power wire. I would feel so much better to just buy a high output alternator, so there will be no stress on my whole electrical system. What benefits would I get upgrading to a high output alternator?

Ok well it seems your fine with that didn't know that about the PDX I don't buy any alpine amps that don't support amplink. It seems to defy ohms law unless it alters the current based on the resistance but none the less alpine is a great company and im sure it works well. I agree with the above check the wiring would be the first thing on my list.

[Ralph]

BTW if you were in series it wouldn't be at 4 ohms it would be 8 ohms since resistance in series is additive.

[PORTMAN96]

think about getting a capacitor. it will stop ur lights from dimming im not sure about your amp shutting off

[tubpub11]

what gauge of wire are you running, and where are you grounded too? with the amp shutting off your ground point might be flakey or there's something wrong with the amp. before you get a HO alt. get a better battery( unless you upgraded that already) and then do the big 3. you only have 75w more then me and I don't dim at all when it's cranked. all I had to do was get a bigger battery.

[Twista89]

think about getting a capacitor. it will stop ur lights from dimming im not sure about your amp shutting off

Nope...a capacitor will just be another strain on the electrical system...its not needed..


But yea your not running alot of power as to where you would need to upgrade your alternator as of yet. I would suggest doing what tubpub said to do and check all your wires, make sure theres no paint on ground points and get the battery tested and go from there.

[slimdog55]

OK, I decided to do the big three upgrade. I researched it the past couple of days, and it doesn't seem too difficult.

For people with 01+ Grand Am's, how long did it take for you to do it?

How much feet of wire did you use? (I'm going to buy 15 feet of Stinger 0 gauge and 8 0 gauge crimps for $95)

I read that you leave the factory wires still attached, and you just add the new larger gauge wire. I also bought another Stinger battery terminal. (http://www.stingerelectronics.com/prodDetail.asp?strID=990)

Can I attach the new wires to a crimp, then onto the new battery terminals?

I'm also going to buy a new battery. I'm looking at a yellow top. Where should I buy it? I'm kind of going to be tight on money after buying the cables for the big three. So what's a good brand for around $100?

Sorry about all the questions. I'm just excited.

[cardude007617]

so wait will a better battery cure my 1200rms (class d power) and 220rms (class ab power) from going from 14.2V down to 12.8 when im at stop lights with it bumpin pretty well?

4 gauge for sub amp, and a 2nd 8g for my 4ch 220rms amp.

[Twista89]

Cool on doing the Big 3...I recommend you search ebay or car audio forum classified for leftover or just cheaper wire. I got my kicker wiring and everything off ebay for 50 shipped.....retails over 160. Check over at www.caraudio.com/forum I sometimes see people selling 10+ feet of 0 guage wire for less than 30.

15 ft should be more than enough to do the job...should have a couple of feet leftover and yea you could just use crimps just make sure your contact spots are clean and paint free. For buying the battery I recommend ebay lol Ive saved so much from shopping off of it.

[Twista89]

cardude yea a better battery can help with your power problems just make sure everything else is working in good order before you drop the money for it. A battery is crap if the charging system isnt up-to-par.

[cardude007617]

well my car is an 01 (age of alternator most likely) and my battery is an interstate that i got back in april or so........ any new ideas now? im thinkin about tossing a DEKA in there cuz a store by me sells em for 117 and that beats 180 for an optima

[slimdog55]

I was reading about different size batteries that fit into the Grand Ams. 34/78 or something? What do these numbers mean? I want a yellow top by the way.

[Ralph]

yes 34/78 if you check optimas website they will let you know the models that are compatible. As for your current batter what is your cold cranking amps like I said before I am running 1500 watts on a normal 2000 alt and a basic battery.

[slimdog55]

I was looking under my hood today to try to identify some of the wires to upgrade. I found the battery ground to chassis very easily. (A couple inches from negative terminal.) I was looking at the alternator, and could not find the positive that goes to battery positive. Is it behind the alternator not in sight? Also, I didn't find the engine ground to chassis either. I will look again tomorrow.

[Pte Socks]

Does your alpine amp have a display. For the mrdm series they include a display which shows your amperage and voltage. When my amp gets overloaded, its shows a big voltage drop, like 10.9V when it should be around 14.4. This will overload the amp with its high current and force it into shutdown. The cause, an overloaded amp.

[slimdog55]

No, the PDX line of amps do not have a digital reading for the voltage. I plan on doing the Big Three tomorrow, or most likely the weekend. Wish me luck!

[slimdog55]

I did the big three! My amps do not shut off anymore, but I still get a little bit of dimming. (But no where near how much dimming I used to have.)

I looked at my battery, and the CCA was 650. I think I might need a new, bigger battery. What do you guys think? I want an Optima, but they are a little expensive. I guess I'll just save up a little.

[Blackhawk]

Optimas cost more because they last longer and are better than normal NAPA replacements. You could also try gettin a deal on a Kinetik battery.

[slimdog55]

OK, my amp still has a problem. It's weird. When I turn it up, and I'm bumping, all the 4 speakers on the 4 channel just cut off. The amp does not turn off, or go into protection mode. All the speakers just cut out. I just turn everything off, then I turn it back on, and it's fine. And also, it's only on certain songs. Weird.

Also, does anybody know anything about MediaXpander on the Alpine headunits?