Another Battery/Alternator question.

[ynkedad]

I've noticed recently that my battery gauge dips below 12 volts and sometimes even lower, while at a light or parked with the motor running.

Notes: (1)The battery is less than 2 months old.
(2)I've only noticed it happening when the A/C is running and the stereo is turned up a smidge above TOO LOUD.
(3)I have an after market stereo in the car which consists of.. an after market head unit, 2 Jbl stealth speakers (behind the seats) and an Amp in the trunk.

So I'm wondering if I'm drawing to much power, and if so, can/should I upgrade the alternator?

TIA.

~Ray

[gmjunkie]

Originally Posted by ynkedad

I've noticed recently that my battery gauge dips below 12 volts and sometimes even lower, while at a light or parked with the motor running.

Notes: (1)The battery is less than 2 months old.
(2)I've only noticed it happening when the A/C is running and the stereo is turned up a smidge above TOO LOUD.
(3)I have an after market stereo in the car which consists of.. an after market head unit, 2 Jbl stealth speakers (behind the seats) and an Amp in the trunk.

So I'm wondering if I'm drawing to much power, and if so, can/should I upgrade the alternator?

TIA.

~Ray

I'm thinking that your alternator may be going bad!!

[MRS. XTREME]

Originally Posted by ynkedad

I've noticed recently that my battery gauge dips below 12 volts and sometimes even lower, while at a light or parked with the motor running.

Notes: (1)The battery is less than 2 months old.
(2)I've only noticed it happening when the A/C is running and the stereo is turned up a smidge above TOO LOUD.
(3)I have an after market stereo in the car which consists of.. an after market head unit, 2 Jbl stealth speakers (behind the seats) and an Amp in the trunk.

So I'm wondering if I'm drawing to much power, and if so, can/should I upgrade the alternator?

TIA.
~Ray

I would recommend a bigger alternator for sure !!

[dvdcta]

Originally Posted by MRS. XTREME

I would recommend a bigger alternator for sure !!

got 105 amps went thru 2alts & 2 batts in less than 1 yr all advance!! got life time warranty on alts.

[ynkedad]

Originally Posted by gmjunkie

I'm thinking that your alternator may be going bad!!

Originally Posted by MRS. XTREME

I would recommend a bigger alternator for sure !!

...Well, that figures!

[RevXtreme 1]

You can try our overdrive alt pulley (billet Alum) and if that does not do it our 240Amp alt for C5 & C6 vettes is $499 & is a direct swap.

[Rich Z]

When I was having alternator problems, I did a lot of reading and seem to recall reading somewhere that it was not recommended to use a higher output alternator on the Corvette. Something about the PCM detecting an excessive current situation and getting upset about it or something. I believe the argument was that the PCM knew the max current the alternator SHOULD be able to provide, and anything over that amount was considered to be a fault condition.

So was that misinformation, or do I just remember it wrong?

[ClockworkC5]

i would consider using a capacitor or an audio system battery. whats killing your alternator is the constant power spikes created by the amp when the bass hits hard. a capacitor is wired in between the power source and the amp. all the capacitor is, is a second battery that absorbs the power spike preserving your alternator.

[ynkedad]

Thanks guys for the really good info!

[als2052]

Ray, I noticed something similar for first time yesterday. While at light, gauge indicated 13 volts where it normally used to show 14. Don't know if that is a problem or not. 2005 with 23K miles on it, stock radio & battery...???