Hey guys,
I'm having an issue with my electrical system. I'll start from the beginning.
83k - 2003 VW Jetta - 120A alt
Had an Autocraft silver to begin with, about 2 yrs old.
Installed 2 450RMS subs, and an AQ1200D amp.
Everything seemed to work fine for a while, until I started thinking that the system should be louder than it is. I started doing DMM tests on the system, and sometimes it would drop down to like 11.xx, or even high tens at some point.
I went out and bought an Optima Red Top, and did the big three. Measured the voltage at the amp, and that thing wouldn't drop below 13 no matter how hard it hit. Now, i'm having the same issue, but not as low. It still will drop down to like 11's or low 12s, and it seems like the bass output isn't nearly as much as it was before. It clips with minimal bass.
Do I need a new alternator? I went to autozone and had them "Test" it, but I didn't have the system on for the test. it said it was "ok."
I'm having an issue with my electrical system. I'll start from the beginning.
83k - 2003 VW Jetta - 120A alt
Had an Autocraft silver to begin with, about 2 yrs old.
Installed 2 450RMS subs, and an AQ1200D amp.
Everything seemed to work fine for a while, until I started thinking that the system should be louder than it is. I started doing DMM tests on the system, and sometimes it would drop down to like 11.xx, or even high tens at some point.
I went out and bought an Optima Red Top, and did the big three. Measured the voltage at the amp, and that thing wouldn't drop below 13 no matter how hard it hit. Now, i'm having the same issue, but not as low. It still will drop down to like 11's or low 12s, and it seems like the bass output isn't nearly as much as it was before. It clips with minimal bass.
Do I need a new alternator? I went to autozone and had them "Test" it, but I didn't have the system on for the test. it said it was "ok."