Charging Problem(?)

[Lexus IS300]

OK heres the situatoin:
I installed a 250RMS Amp with a 12inch Speaker. When the car is idling and radio on, when ever the bass hits the is a very noticable dimming of the headlights and all interior lights in the car.

My fear:
That this is going to eventually drain the battery completely dead

My question:
What can I do to fix this? I really don't wanna fork out for a new altenator and figure a Redtop would be good for my uses considering that I never listen to the radio with the car off.

[GradeA_TireFryer]

First Check Your Grounds.


I Take It You Ran A Nice Thick Power Wire From Battery
Did You Run A Extra Thicker Ground Wire From Battery - To Ground?

Double Check Where You Grounded The Amp, Scratch Off The Paint - Use A Star Washer To Dig Into The Meat To Get A Good Connection.

You Can Add A Cap - That Will Help With That Quick Bust Of Enegy Needed For Those Fast Deep Bass Notes

[TBSpyder]

You're not going to drain your battery unless your car is off, it's your alternator that's struggling. I'd start with a redtop and upgrading your factory wiring to 4 gauge. If you're still having a signifigant problem, the only solution is a better alternator.

[Notladstyle]

OK heres the situatoin:
I installed a 250RMS Amp with a 12inch Speaker. When the car is idling and radio on, when ever the bass hits the is a very noticable dimming of the headlights and all interior lights in the car.

My fear:
That this is going to eventually drain the battery completely dead

My question:
What can I do to fix this? I really don't wanna fork out for a new altenator and figure a Redtop would be good for my uses considering that I never listen to the radio with the car off.

Light dimming by itself is probably the ground wire being too small. RPM are what you should be looking at.

ehh if your RPMs are dropping more than 100 or so then yes you are using more power than is being created. The drop in RPMs is the voltage regulator driving the alternator to high which causes an increased drag on the crank.

BUT, if you are just noticing it in stop n go traffic then you are fine - when you accellerate the alt will replace the juice. A good test is to hold the car as 1500RPM while in park, boom your system a bit. if the rpms hold steady you are fine. if they drop then you need a new alternator.

if you just plug your car up to a charger every 2 or 3 days you will never have to worry about it, and you will also extend the life of your battery by a year or so. I have $40 auto charger I got at walmart at night on my redtop, and I know my system draws more power than my 105a can produce :p