tmichelsons
11-08-2007, 01:04 AM
Headlights Dimming?
If so here is a basic guideline on what you can do.
Generally with InCar entertainment system where supply doesn't meet demand:
*You may experience dimming of dash/headlights when the bass hits.
*The stereo won't play for very long with the engine off before flattening the battery
*Your amp will not run at their full potential
*Repeatedly flat battery because the alternator isn't sufficient to charge the battery and keep the stereo running at the same time.
Solutions:
1. Get a deep cycle battery.
*Optima www.optimabatteries.com.au
- Yellow Top D34 (requires no modification)
*Odessey
-ES12V700
-ES12V800
-ES12V1000
If funds are an issue. Possibly opt for a higher CCA, and RC, preferably sealed battery.
good example include AC Delco and Delkor. Other worthy brand include Exide, Century, Supercharge.
2. Upgrade the earths to 4ga cable. Replace the battery -ve to chassis earth and engine block to chassis earth straps with the 4g.
3. Upgrade the earth cable on your amp to at least 4g.
4. Check out the alternator and see how healthy it is. Upgrade the alternator-battery charge cable to something bigger while you're at it.
A bigger alternator is not really necessary.
NB. Caps are worthless, spend the money on cable or battery upgrades.
Difference between WATTS; Peak PMPO(max) power or RMS.
A serious and reliable measure of the power output of a loudspeaker or audio amplifier is average power, commonly called watts RMS. RMS stands for root mean square and is actually a misnomer here but has nonetheless become the common term. The "RMS" power is found by averaging the instantaneous power output over a long period of time, so it is actually the average power or mean power. The term RMS is used due to the fact that the mean power is calculated from the RMS voltage and current (or one of them and the impedance).
Peak momentary performance output (PMPO) is a much more dubious measure of more interest to advertising copy-writers than to consumers. The PMPO is calculated by the vendor or tester of the speakers as the maximum power in watts available under perfect conditions that are impossible to achieve in practical use. Few sound systems can sustain their PMPO for more than a few milliseconds without being destroyed.
Summary.
Please refrain from quoting Peak, PMPO, or Max ratings. The rating is very misleading and means nothing at all. There is absolutely no standard of measurement. Each manufacturer seems to make up their own number as they please under their own mission impossible conditions.
RMS should be the only rating to be used. Even still some brands overate their gear more than others, to make it look better on paper. Thats why dont be conned into thinking those 2000wMax amps are cool and powerful because they arent.
If so here is a basic guideline on what you can do.
Generally with InCar entertainment system where supply doesn't meet demand:
*You may experience dimming of dash/headlights when the bass hits.
*The stereo won't play for very long with the engine off before flattening the battery
*Your amp will not run at their full potential
*Repeatedly flat battery because the alternator isn't sufficient to charge the battery and keep the stereo running at the same time.
Solutions:
1. Get a deep cycle battery.
*Optima www.optimabatteries.com.au
- Yellow Top D34 (requires no modification)
*Odessey
-ES12V700
-ES12V800
-ES12V1000
If funds are an issue. Possibly opt for a higher CCA, and RC, preferably sealed battery.
good example include AC Delco and Delkor. Other worthy brand include Exide, Century, Supercharge.
2. Upgrade the earths to 4ga cable. Replace the battery -ve to chassis earth and engine block to chassis earth straps with the 4g.
3. Upgrade the earth cable on your amp to at least 4g.
4. Check out the alternator and see how healthy it is. Upgrade the alternator-battery charge cable to something bigger while you're at it.
A bigger alternator is not really necessary.
NB. Caps are worthless, spend the money on cable or battery upgrades.
Difference between WATTS; Peak PMPO(max) power or RMS.
A serious and reliable measure of the power output of a loudspeaker or audio amplifier is average power, commonly called watts RMS. RMS stands for root mean square and is actually a misnomer here but has nonetheless become the common term. The "RMS" power is found by averaging the instantaneous power output over a long period of time, so it is actually the average power or mean power. The term RMS is used due to the fact that the mean power is calculated from the RMS voltage and current (or one of them and the impedance).
Peak momentary performance output (PMPO) is a much more dubious measure of more interest to advertising copy-writers than to consumers. The PMPO is calculated by the vendor or tester of the speakers as the maximum power in watts available under perfect conditions that are impossible to achieve in practical use. Few sound systems can sustain their PMPO for more than a few milliseconds without being destroyed.
Summary.
Please refrain from quoting Peak, PMPO, or Max ratings. The rating is very misleading and means nothing at all. There is absolutely no standard of measurement. Each manufacturer seems to make up their own number as they please under their own mission impossible conditions.
RMS should be the only rating to be used. Even still some brands overate their gear more than others, to make it look better on paper. Thats why dont be conned into thinking those 2000wMax amps are cool and powerful because they arent.