MisterT

I notice that on my positive battery terminal, there is a small screw which is clamping down 1/2 the ring to the 4 guage wire only because it is so friggin' small. Could this be the problem with the lights slightly dimming? I am using a stiffening cap and never had the problem as long as I used a stiffening cap, dist. block, and the appropriate wires (4 gauge to the dist. block and cap, 8 gauge from the dist. block to the amps). I am wondering if I should first buy a new battery terminal clamp (like the gold plated kind) to tie in the 4 gauge wire and then the rest of the car's electrical wire. The screw was slightly loose, so I tightened it all the way too. I know that sounds insignificant, but with a full size Jimmy I had before this car, it was enough to cause a new battery not to catch when trying to crank it up. I thought I had purchased a defective battery at the time. It wasn't all that loose either. I felt dumb after the fact, but was relieved it wan't any thing else major wrong with it.

Thanks!

Michael

Rider69

It actually does not sound insignificant. I had the same problem with my battery terminals from KnuKonceptz.com. The screw to tighten it down on the battery stripped and I could not get a tight fit. I just replaced them with the BCMU2 from Lightning Audio:
http://thezeb.com/caraudio/lightning...terminals.html
And these baby clamp down tight! Plus I have all the connections I need on the terminal. I highly recommend new terminals, plus it looks better

MisterT

That was the deal with the Jimmy I had (screws being stripped. I may look in to getting new terminals for a secure good connection. I got the EDesign "K"s on the way! Just ordered them online. They made some with gold plated terminals and a different type of basket, so I am hoping to get the limited ones in before they run out. Otherwise, they have the silver terminals and a different type of basket. They should be here Thursday I am assuming (if they are shipped out tomorrow). I have so much **** going on this week and weekend, plus work, that I am going to make time to get them in my ride. Thanks for the input.

Mister T

Dave Cameron

You probably do want to fix the screw, but honestly the dimming would not be from a loose connection, indeed the dimming suggest a very good connecton. The car (the whole car, not just the audio) is overdrawing the alternator, and using the battery to fill in the reserve needs.
You have answered you question quite correctly, get a newer battery with more CCA (cold crank amps) and make sure the wire run from the alternator to the battery is of a good guage. That and give the battery a break at times, don't use air/heat/fan and/or the redefogger, the lights and the radio all the time all at once so the battery has a chance to regain a bit of the high end charge.
Another trick will be to occasionally use an external battery charger to top off the battery.
Last thing off the top of the head, do squash the wiring around so there is as much contact between the metal and the wire as you can, electons flow on surface area, that is why a lot of amp wire uses fine O2 free copper instead of a medium sized wire- the opprotunity to get more surface area.