- Jun 9, 2004
- 3,044
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Anybody here frequent a good car audio forum? I'm having some problems with my car's audio system and am looking for some answers...
Actually, I'll tell you guys my problems. Maybe I won't need to go to another forum...
Lately my car has been having some serious power drain issues--if my car sits for more than about 36-48 hours, it won't start unless I jump it. I thought it might be the starter or the alternator, but I took it in to my mechanic this weekend and he did some power testing on the system, and it isn't the battery, starter, or alternator (battery is less than 6 mo. old).
He did some further drain testing, and he found out that one of my amplifiers is drawing 4 amps on idle, which is probably the culprit of my power drain issues. So I have a few questions:
1) What could cause an amplifier to draw so much amperage even at idle?
2) How can I help this situation without having to replace the amplifier entirely?
3) Would an external battery help? If I did get another battery (like an Optima Yellow Top), would I have to recharge it periodically?
4) Would a few capacitors do the job of preventing draw on my battery? If so, how large a capacitor would I need, and how do I wire it in? I have an Alpine V12 amp that does 4 x 125W (500W), so would a 1 farad cap work, and do I wire it in series ahead of the amp?
Sorry about so many questions, but I really need answers to these questions. Thanks all.
Actually, I'll tell you guys my problems. Maybe I won't need to go to another forum...
Lately my car has been having some serious power drain issues--if my car sits for more than about 36-48 hours, it won't start unless I jump it. I thought it might be the starter or the alternator, but I took it in to my mechanic this weekend and he did some power testing on the system, and it isn't the battery, starter, or alternator (battery is less than 6 mo. old).
He did some further drain testing, and he found out that one of my amplifiers is drawing 4 amps on idle, which is probably the culprit of my power drain issues. So I have a few questions:
1) What could cause an amplifier to draw so much amperage even at idle?
2) How can I help this situation without having to replace the amplifier entirely?
3) Would an external battery help? If I did get another battery (like an Optima Yellow Top), would I have to recharge it periodically?
4) Would a few capacitors do the job of preventing draw on my battery? If so, how large a capacitor would I need, and how do I wire it in? I have an Alpine V12 amp that does 4 x 125W (500W), so would a 1 farad cap work, and do I wire it in series ahead of the amp?
Sorry about so many questions, but I really need answers to these questions. Thanks all.
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