MisterT

My head lights dim slightly every time the bass hits. I have 4 gauge wire running to a distribution block and to a 1.5 Farad Stiffening cap. From the distribution block to the amps (roughly 16 inches), I have 8 gauge wire running to them. This never happened in my Eclipse. However, I did eventually have to replace the battery. Is this something I have to do in my 2001 Protege(replace the battery)? I wanted to ask before going out and doing so.

Thanks!

Mister T

kansei

Do a search for the hyper ground kit it may help with the light problem as it ensures more than adequate grounding any situation.

Roach220

Find a better grounding kit for it that should fix it.

ChopstickHero

A farad cap will only mask the problem. It is NOT a solution for dimming, although many people believe it is.

The best way to correctly solve the problem is by upgrading the alternator. Current draw is the only issue. When you draw more current from your alternator than it can produce, your battery fills in. Car batteries sit at about 12.8 volts, and they have some internal resistance so when you pound your electrical system with a 1000 watt RMS bass hit, using ohms law, and efficiency equations, you are looking at almost 80 amps of current draw (watts = voltage*amps). And your alternator is designed to run your car, not your 2,000 watt booming sound system. If you have dimming lights, that is the biggest telltale sign that your alternator cannot handle the load you are exerting on it. There are inexpensive high output alternators out there, some of them even cost less than some of those fard caps you are looking at. i suggest looking into that.

Rider69

Definately run some new ground wire for the battery and alternator, at least 4 gauge. I actually ran a 1.0 from my battery to ground and have had no problems with dimming.

20OMZ

Man didn't you listen to what i said in your last post.

You need to replace the battery in your protege... your standard battery only has enough battery power to run your electronics your car has now. the battery in your car is only like 250-300 cold cranking amps ( sh*t ).

i had the same problem with mine remember, it eventually got to much that my head unit decided to cut out aswell cause the battery wasn't capable to run my stereo.. they battery in my car now is 850 CCA and my stereo goes way louder, and my head lights dont dim at all now, remember ive got 2 x 15 inch fusions..

some people might say it is your altionator ( thats what people told me ) but there needs to be alot of power in your battery to run your woofers and to keep the powrer there and keep the power going to your front lights. I took a little bit of a gamble bying the AU$500 battery but you can bye a 490CCA battery for around AU$120-140. it will be alot cheaper over there.. ( stupid aussie currency )

Only other way you can go is what im going to do soon.. and that is putting 2 batteries in your car 1 for the stereo and the other for starting and all your other electronics.... Go a dry cell battery there "wicked"

hope you solve the problem dude, i hate diming lights although some times its cool, if ya want to show off LOL



http://www.imagestation.com/members/20omz

demoninvictus

Mr. T, you ask one question and get 3 different... maybe 4 if i didn't read right, answers. what has been said about your alternator is right. the best solution is to go and search http://www.mazdaracer.com and look up daryl's v6 alternator swap (not even sure what model mazda it's from off hand).. either that or take your existing alternator and find a shop to respool it. i've heard of people doing this and getting great results. bottom line is that you need more power for your system and the stock gear ain't gonna do it without clipping power in other areas. secondary, an optima deep cycle battery can also help your problem (granted you can mount it in without sliding around your engine bay), but should not be done instead of upgrading your alt. this is my take on the situation. eventually, you can strain your alternator enough where it's gonna give and not crank anymore juice for ya. caps help, batteries help, inline caps help, but the alternator is the key to your car's replenishing of electricity.
peace