[chevyguy8893]

I am only running a small 2 channel MTX 3002 amp turned up almost all the way. If I am stopped at a light my switches and other lights dim with the bass, which right now is not much. I want to run my bigger amp and 2 12's, but the draw from that would be worse from an MTX 600XD mono amp.

Basically where would be a good place to start to help keep the lights from dimming since I know in the long run it will be bad on the charging system. I am not going to be going to a capacitor since I know they are basically just a bandage for the problem at hand. My past vehicles could handle much more draw with no problems, but the malibu just can't seem to do it.

In the future I want to be able to run a 4-channel amp off an aftermarket head unit with no problems also.

 

[n8ball2013]

I run an audioque 1200d and a 4x90 and get slight dimming. do the big three better battery wont hurt either.

 

[Silver LTZ]

Without a bigger alternator your only choice is a cap. A cap is not just for dimming issues, they hold a reserve and can make you bass sound better. I always use them.

 

[soundhertz]

Well to tell you the truth, I wonder how many times you've deep cycled your battery. I would look to replace and likely upgrade that first. Optimum Red Tops were a pretty hot buy at one point but there are much better batteries out there for about twice as much.

Caps discharge nearly immediately when tapped...that typically happens at a voltage very close to where you'll notice your lights dimming. Your alternator then stresses to refill that cap while maintaining the current required to keep your system running. Your battery is a much slower discharge/recharge mechanism but it is able to smooth out the peaks and valleys with less stress on the electrical system because there is a reserve regardless of momentary peaking. WIth a cap, it's much the opposite...I give them a solid "band-aid' rating. (kudos for using that term)

If after replacing your battery you're still getting noticeable drops, I'd examine your electric needs. Are you running a 2.4 with electric steering? Do you have your climate set to auto (auto turns on the air compressor often without the air conditioning light to turn on), are you running HIDs, etc. You could get a shop to get an average on your amp's current draw and then calculate what else is eating that current and THEN invest in a high output alternator.

You're not pulling a ton of current but you may be loading your amps at a lower resistance than their sticker rating states therefore pulling more current than you think...but I kinda doubt it. Personally, I think you have a bad battery.

 

[chevyguy8893]

Thanks for the input guys. I was looking into doing the big 3 next year when it is warmer again. I have some 4 gauge wire I was going to use for that since it seems like a fairly easy upgrade.

I have looked into getting a kinetik power battery that would be more designed for the system. Currently I am running 4 ohms into the amp, but the amp is not the most efficient one out there. I do have the 2.4 with electric steering and I generally run the blower on low after I get the inside of the car warm.

I would prefer not to go as far as putting a H.O. alternator since that is further than I would like to go on costs. I am not planning on going with a massive system, I am not much for heavy bass much anymore. Honestly the sub I am using is only in there because it was free and I honestly don't care what happens to it.

My other thought is a red or yellow top optima battery with a small kinetik power battery in the back. This is where I end up lost though since I have no idea how to install one. Is it inline with the power wire or do I have to set up a second battery for the back? My battery is probably on it's way out, but I need to test it at work when I have a chance and I can also see how much amperage I draw.

 

[soundhertz]

I think you're headed in the right direction. The Yellow is a deep cycle though and doesn't play very nice with automotive systems like that. Powering an RV on standby? Great. Using it as a backup on a boat? Great. Go with a red or another specialty daily-use battery...I think the Red would be fine. Go to a store that has them on warranty, power systems are fickle when you're troubleshooting.

HOs are big jobs, I agree. Your alt may be struggling a bit though so even a stock replacement may help. You can have those tested by a better store and get an idea of any obvious problems. Rebuild aren't too expensive either and a lot of smaller startups do amp rebuilds to higher specs (within space) no problem.

Big 3 is a good and cheap upgrade. Coat the contacts or they'll get gunky pretty quick. It's probably not going to help your problem though. I didn't ask but how's your ground. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt but a lot of folks do them poorly so I gotta ask.

Blowers are fine if not rf noisy but compressors are the real current robbers. Wouldn't worry about any of that stuff.

 

[chevyguy8893]

I use a factory ground in the trunk (3 feet of ground wire) that was clean and a good ground. I use good power and ground wire which is stinger wire.I hope my alternator isn't going bad yet, my car is only an 09' with 60K on it. Then again my trucks alternator went out at 70K so I guess anything is possible. At least I have a lift at work to use if it does go bad. I guess I will start with the basics and go from there. If it becomes too much the system will just come out.

How would I go about hooking up a small kinetik battery in the trunk? I found the smallest one should cover my needs, I think. Also, what kind of terminal would be good to use for the big three? Just good gold plated terminals or something different? Thanks for the help BTW.

 

[soundhertz]

Well I haven't looked at the factory ground location on this gen malibu but on other vehicles, they're not necessarily the best. While they may work fine for things like power antennas and fuel pumps, they may very well work though pinch welds or other obstructions. On the other hand, the surface is often prepped to maximize connectivity so it's a give and take. I'd just survey it and make sure the contact is a smart contact. Get as close to solid chassis as possible.

Your alt is probably fine but a new battery will shed light on all of that.

As for extra batteries...I have a good shop guide laying around somewhere. It's a fairly specific step-by-step because there are a lot of safety issues and while slapping it in following any google'd instructions will work, I'd rather provide an experience perspective and if I were to just spit out how I remember doing it in the distant past, I'd almost certainly miss a point or underemphasis a safety precaution. Shoot me a PM reminder and I'll dig into my guides this weekend.

 

[RYgoBOOM]

Do the big three like some one stated above. That will fix the problem most of the time. If not look into the deka intimidator series batteries

 

[chevyguy8893]

Do the big three like some one stated above. That will fix the problem most of the time. If not look into the deka intimidator series batteries

Thanks, I will have to look into those.

 

[RYgoBOOM]

Thanks, I will have to look into those.

np....I'm in the process of buying pieces for my new build

4 12" Audioque Hdc3s
and 2 sundown 2000ds

4,000 watts of migraines

 

[chevyguy8893]

np....I'm in the process of buying pieces for my new build

4 12" Audioque Hdc3s
and 2 sundown 2000ds

4,000 watts of migraines

Wow, that is much bigger than anything I have planned for my car. Just be sure to put up pictures of the finished work, I am curious of how it will all fit. Sounds like a fun build though.

 

[n8ball2013]

np....I'm in the process of buying pieces for my new build

4 12" Audioque Hdc3s
and 2 sundown 2000ds

4,000 watts of migraines

I gotta know how you are going to fit all this. my box is 38.5 wide by 13.5 tall and 21 deep. It was an absolute monster to get in and well some things are better left unsaid on how it actually fit lol. building in the trunk?

 

[soundhertz]

I'm a recent fan of the sundowns and a 2000d is a good fit for my setup. On the fence for this car though...it may be time to do the SQ job I've dreamed of. A McIntosh upfront would to just nice.

 

[n8ball2013]

Ive got hertz hsks in the front and rear off an audioqu 4x90. 2 dc soundlab levle 3 12s off an audioque 1200d. I absolutely love the hertz.