If you notice that the bass performance decreases when you increase the volume on your car stereo, the lights are also dimming, there is very high chances that your car is suffering from the common voltage drop problem. This basically happens when something electrical, which in your car is an amp that is pulling more amps than the system can generate and handle. The best way to monitor any kind of voltage drop is to install a simple volt meter. This is a small device with a digital read out screen that shows you realtime figures of the volts of the cars electrical system. If you notice that its dropping below 13.7 volts you will need to fix the car audio voltage drop right away. Failing to do so could damage the car amp and parts of the electrical system such as the battery or alternator in the long term.
1) Install a deep cycle battery. These are designed to store electrical charge for a long period of time than regular start up batteries. You can have one for starting up and a second battery dedicated just for the car audio system. A good brand that we always use is either XS power of yellow top optima.
2) Replace the alternator. The stock one is only designed to handle the cars electrical system such as the windows, stereo, lights and other functions. Its not made to handle a heavy load ontop of that, so you might consider getting a high output alternator. Some good brands that we recommend for our customers is Mechman or Powermaster so please do check them out.
3) Add a power cap. This is the cheapest solution and costs far less than fitting a second deep cycle battery or replacing the alternator. This is a small device that keeps charge and lets it out when the car amp needs that extra juice. You can pick them up for around £40 pound in the uk and around $70 in the us. They are quick and easy to install taking no longer than 5 minutes altogether including fitting and wiring it all up.
4) Use 0 gauge wire for your car amp. The thicker the power wire the more easier the current can flow into the car amp. When looking for a wiring kit, ensure that its matches the wattage of the amp and also don't go for cheap generic brands. This is because they contain more of plastic insulation around the wire than thick copper inside you see this alot on ebay. I guess its cheap for a reason lol
5) Do a big three upgrade. This involves you to basically replace all three wires going to the alternator and chassis with bigger ones. The factory wires are usually cheap and thin for advanced electrical tasks, replacing them with thicker 0 gauge wire will help current flow across your system more freely.
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