Voltmeter woes in the freezing cold..
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 92
From: Miller Place, NY
Voltmeter woes in the freezing cold..
Hey guys..
I recently bought a new battery along with a JL stealthbox system that is at 250RMS watt power.
It has been consistently below freezing here in new york.
My problem is this - The car is always extremely low on electric power now. My voltmeter is consistently hovering above the lower redline with just my headlights, heat, and the sub on.
With this stuff off, the power goes up considerably, but I can visually see a huge drop in the voltmeter whenever I turn one of these things on.
Heavy bass hits from the subwoofer will visibly lower the voltmeter needle.
My question is this - What the hell? The system I put in my car is basically bottom of the barrel concerning the amount of power it utilizes. On top of that, I have a new battery in there. Every time I drive around, I'm scared my car is going to die, and I have to travel long distances without my heat on to keep it up a bit.
The power will go up just fine when I'm driving, but when I come to a stop with the car on, the voltmeter goes way down to the lower redline, barely above it, sometimes entering it..
I'm wondering what I can do to fix this situation. I can't keep driving with such little electricity and worrying all the time about it. There's no reason why my power should be so low just because I put a very low power sub in there.
I'm thinking it's just the cold? Maybe someone else is having this problem around the Northeast? Help, please.
Here's some info:
Cheapo Walmart battery (eh, it's new at least)
Alternator is around 100,000miles old..has not been rebuilt
250RMS Watt JL 250/1 Amp, with JL 10" stealth enclosure
1996 Chevy Camaro
- Problem occurs even after fully/partially charging the battery with a battery charger..
- I have checked my amp connections..power and ground cables are in tight.
I recently bought a new battery along with a JL stealthbox system that is at 250RMS watt power.
It has been consistently below freezing here in new york.
My problem is this - The car is always extremely low on electric power now. My voltmeter is consistently hovering above the lower redline with just my headlights, heat, and the sub on.
With this stuff off, the power goes up considerably, but I can visually see a huge drop in the voltmeter whenever I turn one of these things on.
Heavy bass hits from the subwoofer will visibly lower the voltmeter needle.
My question is this - What the hell? The system I put in my car is basically bottom of the barrel concerning the amount of power it utilizes. On top of that, I have a new battery in there. Every time I drive around, I'm scared my car is going to die, and I have to travel long distances without my heat on to keep it up a bit.
The power will go up just fine when I'm driving, but when I come to a stop with the car on, the voltmeter goes way down to the lower redline, barely above it, sometimes entering it..
I'm wondering what I can do to fix this situation. I can't keep driving with such little electricity and worrying all the time about it. There's no reason why my power should be so low just because I put a very low power sub in there.
I'm thinking it's just the cold? Maybe someone else is having this problem around the Northeast? Help, please.
Here's some info:
Cheapo Walmart battery (eh, it's new at least)
Alternator is around 100,000miles old..has not been rebuilt
250RMS Watt JL 250/1 Amp, with JL 10" stealth enclosure
1996 Chevy Camaro
- Problem occurs even after fully/partially charging the battery with a battery charger..
- I have checked my amp connections..power and ground cables are in tight.
Last edited by Mirrorsaw; Jan 30, 2004 at 06:25 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,151
From: I'm in the Bay, Trick
250RMS is well within the power range that a stock alternator can handle. I would have said check your connections, but you already did.
You mentioned when you drive the power is OK and when you are idling it goes down to the red area? Alternator...RPMs aren't high enough to juice properly.
My guess is alternator...how long has it been since it was replaced? I would suggest a H.O. alternator but with such a modest system, it would sort of be a waste.
Hang on while I move this to the Stereo/Electronics board, you'll get better answers there...
...
...
...
Oh wait...I'm not a mod.
Yet. *hint guys, hint*
EDIT: I did a post in the lounge this week for $20 off $100 or more at PepBoys. If your alternator dies and drains your battery, grab an Optima for $80 with the discount. 710 CCA. Good luck!
You mentioned when you drive the power is OK and when you are idling it goes down to the red area? Alternator...RPMs aren't high enough to juice properly.
My guess is alternator...how long has it been since it was replaced? I would suggest a H.O. alternator but with such a modest system, it would sort of be a waste.
Hang on while I move this to the Stereo/Electronics board, you'll get better answers there...
...
...
...
Oh wait...I'm not a mod.
Yet. *hint guys, hint*
EDIT: I did a post in the lounge this week for $20 off $100 or more at PepBoys. If your alternator dies and drains your battery, grab an Optima for $80 with the discount. 710 CCA. Good luck!
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 40
From: syracuse,new york
well you can try a power cap for you amp that will give you alittle more juice i put one in my girls car and it worked great you can get an el cheapo one at walmart for $80 and it's digital
Last edited by jer; Feb 4, 2004 at 01:56 PM.
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