Is this an acceptable voltage drop

[carshateme]

Okay, My volt meter says it's at 15.2v~14.7v when my headlights are off, when I turn them on the voltage drops to 13.7v~13.4. Is this an okay voltage drop or do I have to reground my lights....or could it be because I haven't upgraded my alternator's ground to 0/1 yet or I need to add another battery...like the guy at autozone said...waiting for tax returns...bills been piling in.

Edited February 2, 2012 by carshateme

[irpirate]

your voltage drops that much just from head lights? not good..

[fmedina]

Ya that's not good from just headlights. Try regrounding and see if it helps. Is this with your system off?

Edited February 3, 2012 by fmedina

[97Jetta1637]

your voltage drops that much just from head lights? not good..

Agree, a 1.0-1.8 volt drop isn't good with just the lights. I can't say what would solve it though. You should of still been around what it was with your headlights off.

[carshateme]

Yeah some guy from a auto shop said that adding a second battery should help it, although I really have to ground off the wires on my alternator..but I have to find someone with a belt remover...since I don't have one, so I can remove the alternator bolt and attach my ground there to my engine. Unless going directly to the frame is better?

[irpirate]

is this while you're driving or idle or both? what's your voltage like when you play your system full tilt?

[Guest]

how many headlights do you have? it shouldnt drop that much even if everything is stock. normal headlight bulbs draw like 50-100w a piece. thats upwards of only 20 amps.

[Johny B]

Mine only drops 0.1 volts. Getting another battery will solve the drop but you want to know why its droppig so low so try the grounds first. Do you have hid's or stock? Good to do the big3 also

[dohckiller808]

try metering with your car off to see what voltage drop you have there. it may be your alts wiring if you dont see a big drop when tested car off.

[carshateme]

When my car is off..it's fine. When the car is idling, *Not when you first turn it on, but once you put it into drive, it starts to dim when you are at a full stop* My voltage drop on my system when it's at full tilt is like 2volts I think. I'll have to measure it again in the daylight *Tomorrow*. I just went to the store and bought some 0 gauge terminals so I can ground off my alternator...considering that has not been done yet and it's been running on the stock ground. I have 5 lights, 3 back lights, 2 front lights. Big 3 is already mostly done...I just haven't ran a bigger gauge ground to the alternator...is it acceptable to have a ground running from the alt to the engine. Because I have a 0/1 knukoncept that is just long enough with a little bit of a moving area for the road, to fit on there.. Driving...it turns my lights really bright..same when the car is in ACC, the minute I give the car gas, my headlights brighten up. *sorry for the information all over place...I'm hoping it's just because I haven't upgraded my ground on my alt.

Lights are stock...I have my 12k lights in my shed, can't install them til I buy the conversion kit for them. *Lame*

Edited February 3, 2012 by carshateme