6G Celicas Forums

ok, i am a noob when it comes to electrical and audio stuff so i need your guys help. right now i got the stock alternator, jvc head unit, and just installed a 500w mono amp with 2x 10" alpine type-e in parallel(custom box,etc. by me). my car just died on me today, this is the first time i drove with the speakers installed and all the accessories on(minus the a/c). the headlights would flicker at the higher volumes, so i lowered it and 5 min later it just died. so my battery is undoubtedly dead now but what do i need to fix it? i ask you guys because you are familiar with the capabilities of the celica/alternator. i didnt upgrade the big three yet would that solve my problem? or is the alternator more than capable of handling this and this is only signs that the alternator is going bad? i also noticed the positive terminal tends to corrode alot, i bought gold plated terminals, will this minimize the corrosion? and 1 more thing, i am about ready to do the big three. what size wire should i use? i am using and 8gauge for my amp, if that helps.

can you guys help me, i know this is the best place to ask.

this is what i got:
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=SWE-1043&lang=en&tab=F
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=MRP-M500&lang=en&tab=F

This post has been edited by captb: Oct 1, 2008 - 4:28 AM

Get a new higher capacity battery dude, i've been running Crunch GTR components, Kenwood Hu, and a 1000W monoblock amp with a 600W RMS sub, i have no problems.

Make sure all your cabling is up to spec and ground points are very important to help avoid voltage drops.

hmm, is that really required. im i gonna damage anything by getting a different battery? also, do i just go into walmart and pick up a bigger battery?

not a bigger battery like a trailer truck battery, if you get a good battery you won't have a problem, and by good I don't mean a new cheap one at walmart, try to get a performance battery like optima yellow top, I have a red top with a 200 watts mono amp with 2 8" mid bass, and all my speakers upgraded and haven't had a problem. I did suffer from the same thing you're at the beginning, I replaced stuff on the following order.


Battery

if problem persist

New Alternator

thx ill probably, replace my battery first with the warranty first then maybe upgrade later if same thing happens. question though. what sized gauge wire should i buy for the big three upgrade? and as far as the alternator goes how do i check it using a voltometer(what should it be reading)? keep in mind im a noob.

i have a kinda similar problem..im running a 400wat rms 1200 watt peak mtx amp and infinity speaks all around and a pioneer deck and at damn near full volume/peak on the amp my car feels different when im driving....could i be sucking out to much power?? iv got a stinger cap and my lights dont flicker like iv had happen in other vechiles with different systems but...i have hid's i unno if they would flicker at peak or not....any ideas? car just feels laggy

i did the big three upgrade and it doesnt have that problem anymore. but i also got a new battery so i dont know if the alternator is bad. anyways i wanted to check if the alternator is still good by disconnecting the battery. my only question is, should i have all the accessories on when i remove the battery or just make sure the essentials are working. should i leave my amp on as well. thanks.

if the alternator is good, it should be able to run with factory lights on. not your amps even though I can depending on how big it is.

captb, can u give me locations of the "big three" areas? i've been wanting to do this upgrade forever. let me know! thanks!

Its the wiring between the battery + and the alternator +, battery - and chassis ground, and alternator case and chassis ground. 4 GA wire works well.

like he said. theres so many how-to's and they all the same. grounding and engine block locations are all prefrence. so just choose any place that seems appropriate for you. just make sure you got enough wiring and fuse. and i used 4ga as well.