Stereo Amp connected to Cigar Light voltage...battery got weaken.

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by mmdir2005, Sep 18, 2006.

  1. mmdir2005

    mmdir2005 Guest

    I connected stereo amp power supply to the cigar light power source
    (+12volt). The amp
    worked fine with no problem. I played the amp for 2 hours and I started
    the car. The car
    didn't start. I figured that the battery must gotten weaken after the
    high current were drawn out
    to the cigar light for 2 hours. I recharged the battery for 30 min.
    Then the car did start.
    Is this normal? Does battery get weaken after 2 hours of current is
    drawn into cigar light
    power source? If not, is there something wrong with my car electrical
    system?
     
    mmdir2005, Sep 18, 2006
    #1
  2. mmdir2005

    nm5k Guest

    It can happen.. How big an amp? A class A audio amp running
    high power draws quite a bit of current. Your electrical system is
    ok most likely. The alternator seems to be working. You just ran the
    battery down. The battery could be getting a bit weak.. BTW, usually
    a lighter plug is not a very good place to connect high current gear.
    The wire is thin, and the voltage drop fairly high.
    I run ham radios in my cars, trucks, and have to consider current
    draw. I usually carry two batteries if I'm going out of town. My radio
    runs about 100w output, and draws appx 20 amps at full power.
    I run my power wires direct to the battery using thick wire. Less
    voltage drop, which means more usually "on" time before the
    voltage drops too low for the radio to work correctly.
    Using thick wire to high power audio amps is a pretty good idea.
    You'll have better dynamic range as the amp is not seeing as large
    a voltage drop on current peaks. You are drawing some hefty
    current, or your battery is about half shot with a dead cell, etc..
    BTW, every time you run the battery down like that, it loses some
    capacity. You might want to get it tested..
    MK
     
    nm5k, Sep 18, 2006
    #2
  3. mmdir2005

    mmdir2005 Guest

    Yeah the battery got dry after the cigar lite drawn high current. I
    tried to start
    for hour it failed. after I recharged the battery, it starts right
    away but...here is
    my car problem might related to the stereo amp. My amp is about 400W I
    connected to the same source my HU is using which is just the normal
    +12volt ( My amp is not ran directly to the battery) I never had the
    big problem like drying the battery. The battery is ok but my car
    sometimes could not started right away in the morning. I thought it's
    related to the alarm problem which i've said here. Now I'm thinking
    there might be some electrical problem related to stereo amp power
    source that causing the
    starter fail to engage. I get no sound no click whatsoever. I've to
    wait about between let say 1 min to 3 min. It usually starts. I've
    to run my amp directly to the battery as
    suggest by stereo technician.
     
    mmdir2005, Sep 18, 2006
    #3
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