new car new problems.

[1nfinite]

I just done an install in my new car (golf mk6) and am getting voltage drop when turned up.

My old car had pretty much same set up 140amp alternator, XS D3100 main battery. Stayed solid 14v.

Set up is: 4 Fi SSD 10" & a SPL Dynamics D5 amp with dual 0wg coming from the battery.

Ive been told to upgrade the alt to a 180amp but not sure this will make any difference & would prefer not to have to add a second battery in the boot.

Any ideas?

[RyuunosukePanda]

If you don't want to add a second battery the only other ways to go are a new alt, one with high output at idle, don't go with cheap ones. DC Power and Mechman offer that type. Or a cap which is basically a temporary battery but I would prefer dual batteries which is what I'm doing. If it is all stock wiring you could try to do the Big 3 in 1/0Ga, there will be less resistance in the lines.

[Quiet]

damn ninja'd

[1nfinite]

If you don't want to add a second battery the only other ways to go are a new alt, one with high output at idle, don't go with cheap ones. DC Power and Mechman offer that type. Or a cap which is basically a temporary battery but I would prefer dual batteries which is what I'm doing. If it is all stock wiring you could try to do the Big 3 in 1/0Ga, there will be less resistance in the lines.

Yup there the options I thought..the stock wiring is pretty good tbh so havent done the big 3. Cable rated 250amp.

Would rather spend the money & get the alt upgrade as the battery would just be more weight, but Im not sure upgrading froma 140 to a 180 alt is going to make much difference atall, accept in my wallet.:-O

Thanks anyway.

[Quiet]

Still worth doing Big 3. Stock wiring is never good enough for the demands of an amplifier. Should be as thick as your amp run or bigger to minimize loss.

[1nfinite]

Still worth doing Big 3. Stock wiring is never good enough for the demands of an amplifier. Should be as thick as your amp run or bigger to minimize loss.

It does look pretty much like 4awg but says 250amp on it so thought would be okay & I am told they use pure thick copper wire.

Could be were im going wrong..

Thanks SRP.

[RyuunosukePanda]

Most often stock cable isn't high-strand count, like aftermarket OFC, some manufactures over rate their cable as well 4Ga can only truly handle 131 amps, 250 amps is almost the size of 1Ga, which is 262 amps. So aftermarket cable would be beneficial to the system and it is much cheaper than a new alternator, installing a H/O alt would work better with upgraded cables. The extra 40 amps although not being much would be good for a smaller system, I would recommend at least 200 amps output at idle. This is just to be safe and keep the charging system up. A dual battery would only add roughly 30 pounds which for a car is not much as long as you aren't racing. if you have roadside assistance just toss the spare tire and it will reduce weight.

[LoFi2013]

The factory typicaly uses low strand count wire, Im not an expert but lets say 40 strand 4awg. Electrons flow on the outside of copper which is the reason for high strand count in quality wire (rockford 1/0 awg has 4,704 strands) your factory wire is rated 250A but it is still a bottleneck. I just did the big 3 to my truck this weekend and i dont even have a single component of the system im building yet. def do the big 3 and see if it helps you out, i think it will. Also vet's if i am wrong here please say so i dont want to misinform.

RyuunosukePanda damn you beat me to it

[Quiet]

Still worth doing Big 3. Stock wiring is never good enough for the demands of an amplifier. Should be as thick as your amp run or bigger to minimize loss.

It does look pretty much like 4awg but says 250amp on it so thought would be okay & I am told they use pure thick copper wire.

Could be were im going wrong..

Thanks SRP.

Yeah, I wouldn't believe that. Just remember, your alternator is supplying the current to your system when the car is on. Wire it up as such.

[WastedTalent]

Possibly an internal regulator? You say new car, but not sure if new new or new to you. just my 2 cents.