Bad Alternator? Capacitor the cause?

[scjrod]

Hey Guys,
I have the following equipment in my car:
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/produ...n_US&p_status=

And

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/produ...en_US&p_status

And

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-wsVaq1C...912UM-CAP.html


I was driving to work this morning and the capacitor started to make a loud beep. I get to work open the trunk and the voltage meter is showing 6.5 volts. It makes the beep when the voltage fall out of a 10-17volt range. Could this be the capacitor? Could this be my alternator? Or could it be the battery? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I am thinking that an easy test for the battery and alternator would be to test the voltage with the car off on the battery first to know if its the battery. Then test the voltage on the battery with the car on to know if its the alternator.

My system is only using 1 channel of the amp at 4ohms which says its only around 120 watts rms and the sub is 200rms max 400 watt. I don't think this is some crazy power that should cause the car to have issues. Thank you for your comments.

[toyomoho]

Might purchase a volt meter that plugs into the cig lighter.

Use a voltmeter to check battery voltage with engine on, RPM at 1500. Should be around 14-15V.

When battery has rested for 1/2 hour (engine and all acc off for 1/2 hour) should be 12.6-12.8V.

The capacitor should not drive down the voltage unless shorted, then a fuse should blow. If in doubt disconnect one terminal from the circuit and recheck voltage.

Check battery voltage and compare to what the meter reads in the trunk. Should be the same, if not there may be wiring issue. What size wire was run from the battery to the trunk stereo?

[scjrod]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

Might purchase a volt meter that plugs into the cig lighter.

Use a voltmeter to check battery voltage with engine on, RPM at 1500. Should be around 14-15V.

When battery has rested for 1/2 hour (engine and all acc off for 1/2 hour) should be 12.6-12.8V.

The capacitor should not drive down the voltage unless shorted, then a fuse should blow. If in doubt disconnect one terminal from the circuit and recheck voltage.

Check battery voltage and compare to what the meter reads in the trunk. Should be the same, if not there may be wiring issue. What size wire was run from the battery to the trunk stereo?

During my lunch break, I disconnected the power from the amplifier and left the capacitor connected. I turned on the car and the voltage showed around 13.8 . I guess that means my alternator is still functioning?

I called Tsunami tech support and they said I should ground the capacitor directly to the Chassis of the car. Currently I have it connected with 8 AWG power wire and ground wire. It goes Battery --> + capacitor ---> + Capacitor to amp. Then capacitor ground --> amplifier ground port --> amplifier ground port ---> Chassis.

[toyomoho]

The alt seems to be working OK.

Rewire per the tech support people and determine what happens. The link below has a diagram.

http://www.caraudiohelp.com/car_audi...stallation.htm