Stereo making volts drop - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

BrandonsBadA$$2015 · 04-30-2019, 05:44 AM

Ive installed an aftermarket stereo system in my 2015 lt. Not only do I like my loud music, I love to feel the beat pound through me so hard my skin jumps with the beat. Now my alternator cant keep up. Ive added 3 - 1200w capacitors as well as a very large Energi capacitor. All is well till them capacitors drop below 14v. Ive searched a few places online for a beefier alternator, Ive also stopped in to chat with a couple friends in the auto parts stores I use. Both friends told me the same sad news that there is not a "beefier" alternator for the 2015 3.6l. Anybody have any suggestions???

Batmanntexas · 04-30-2019, 06:48 AM

Contact PowerMaster. They have some alternators that crank out 300A for SPL competitions, so they can probably help you out.

www.powermastermotorsports.com

-Scott

BrandonsBadA$$2015 · 04-30-2019, 12:38 PM

Thank you Scott, I will check them out.

BrandonsBadA$$2015 · 04-30-2019, 12:39 PM

Thank you Scott! I will check them out.

Moto-Mojo · 04-30-2019, 07:16 PM

Boy, do I remember the days when my stereo inside the house and in the car could NOT be loud enough. And I play guitar too. You know what I miss the most now? MY HEARING! Enjoy it whilst you can. But the piper must be paid at some point.

VTSummit · 05-09-2019, 08:56 AM

Curious what you are running for amps. I have a modest system, but tuned for punch and it will make internal organs resonate. The voltage in the car is all over the place, but it's not having any real performance issues since voltage won't drop below the battery level. The Camaro has an active charging system- the car will sometimes take itself OFF charging and the voltage will drop down pretty low, all the way too battery voltage. Then, the car will go back on charge and voltage comes up to almost 15. It really confuses my Garmin dash cam- it thinks the car turned off when the voltage drops, then comes back on as the active charging engages again.
Maybe this is what you're seeing on yours? Do you have the gauge package? If not, put your voltage info on the driver info screen and watch it as you drive around in town. You'll see it engage and disengage- it's trippy. You can't really combat that when it comes to the stereo system. If you are dropping below battery voltage with caps- you've either got massive amps or a weak battery.

PepeLePew · 05-09-2019, 09:41 AM

If you look hard enough you'll find one. I'm only familiar with others using mechman and they've all been very high quality. I've never seen one on 5th gen v6 though. I'd try Power Master as well like Batman says... looks like they have good reviews and are used by a lot of folks at competitions.

I found one that fits at Powerbastards.com but I know nothing about the company or their product. Do some research on them before you went this route. But here is a link to one they sell that fits your car. Its a 250a piece.

https://www.powerbastards.com/products.asp?cat=143324

Lowandslow89 · 05-12-2019, 01:48 PM

Get rid of the capacitors, they will only hurt you and wont really help out at all. What all does your set up consist off? Id recommend doing a nice agm battery, and if you need an alternator id suggest either Mechman, DC Power, or Ohio Generators. They make h/o alts made specifically for car audio, the will usually generate most amperage at idle so you wont have any issues at idle. Unless you have some really high dollar capacitors, they wont really help. Your battery will keep having to recharge them each time they are drained, putting even a bigger load on your electrical system. As far as wire for anything around 1k rms watts id run 1/0 ofc or 2/0 welding wire. Welding wire tends to be packed tighter but is still cooper wire. Ive done alot of set ups in the past and help a couple of friends with their builds, what i was into before i could afford to go fast lol. Make sure your grounds are A1 aswell, that can make a difference aswell.

Reaper85 · 05-12-2019, 04:01 PM

Need power to make power as the saying goes. Like Low said contact mechman, DC, or Ohio. You most likely will need a second battery. Caps are great for smothering out small ripples of voltage drop. They can't help if your system is already taxed. D

What does your system consist of so we can better guide you?

04-30-2019, 05:44 AM	#1
BrandonsBadA$$2015 Drives: 2015 chevy camaro lt Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Logansport, IN Posts: 4 View My Garage	Stereo making volts drop Ive installed an aftermarket stereo system in my 2015 lt. Not only do I like my loud music, I love to feel the beat pound through me so hard my skin jumps with the beat. Now my alternator cant keep up. Ive added 3 - 1200w capacitors as well as a very large Energi capacitor. All is well till them capacitors drop below 14v. Ive searched a few places online for a beefier alternator, Ive also stopped in to chat with a couple friends in the auto parts stores I use. Both friends told me the same sad news that there is not a "beefier" alternator for the 2015 3.6l. Anybody have any suggestions???

04-30-2019, 06:48 AM	#2
Batmanntexas Drives: 2012 Camaro SS (2SS) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Stafford, VA Posts: 1,374 View My Garage	Contact PowerMaster. They have some alternators that crank out 300A for SPL competitions, so they can probably help you out. www.powermastermotorsports.com -Scott __________________ 745RWHP/634RWTQ on 93 @ 10psi 806/676 on E85 @ 10psi COTW 9/8/14

04-30-2019, 07:16 PM	#5
Moto-Mojo Fast Cars and Old Guitars Drives: 2015 2SS RS (L99, baby!) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: N. CA Posts: 3,974	Boy, do I remember the days when my stereo inside the house and in the car could NOT be loud enough. And I play guitar too. You know what I miss the most now? MY HEARING! Enjoy it whilst you can. But the piper must be paid at some point. __________________ “I don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.” - Groucho Marx

05-09-2019, 08:56 AM	#6
VTSummit Consistently inconsistent Drives: 2015 2LT Summit White Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States Posts: 1,364	Curious what you are running for amps. I have a modest system, but tuned for punch and it will make internal organs resonate. The voltage in the car is all over the place, but it's not having any real performance issues since voltage won't drop below the battery level. The Camaro has an active charging system- the car will sometimes take itself OFF charging and the voltage will drop down pretty low, all the way too battery voltage. Then, the car will go back on charge and voltage comes up to almost 15. It really confuses my Garmin dash cam- it thinks the car turned off when the voltage drops, then comes back on as the active charging engages again. Maybe this is what you're seeing on yours? Do you have the gauge package? If not, put your voltage info on the driver info screen and watch it as you drive around in town. You'll see it engage and disengage- it's trippy. You can't really combat that when it comes to the stereo system. If you are dropping below battery voltage with caps- you've either got massive amps or a weak battery. __________________ Thanks to MRR, I have some SWEET wheels! Thank you! 2015 2LT Ported TB, Ported intake, JACFAB intake spacer, Borla exhaust, IPF 91 tune, Complete 1/LE suspension, Brembo brakes, Goodridge lines, Elite catch can, CAI with Thermo-wrap, 275/40-20 x 10's all around, Z/28 spoiler, GM splitter, Alpine/Polk stereo with AudiControl interface.

05-09-2019, 09:41 AM	#7
PepeLePew Drives: 2010 2SS Coupe; 2011 2LT Vert Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Prosper, TX Posts: 458	If you look hard enough you'll find one. I'm only familiar with others using mechman and they've all been very high quality. I've never seen one on 5th gen v6 though. I'd try Power Master as well like Batman says... looks like they have good reviews and are used by a lot of folks at competitions. I found one that fits at Powerbastards.com but I know nothing about the company or their product. Do some research on them before you went this route. But here is a link to one they sell that fits your car. Its a 250a piece. https://www.powerbastards.com/products.asp?cat=143324 __________________ 2010 2SS/RS LS3 - K&N, GM Performance Axle Back, Hurst Shifter, TSP 1 7/8ths long tubes no cats, TSP Stage 2 "Bald Eagle" cam, GM 3.91, 466whp/429tq

04-30-2019, 12:38 PM	#3
BrandonsBadA$$2015 Drives: 2015 chevy camaro lt Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Logansport, IN Posts: 4 View My Garage	Thank you Scott, I will check them out.

04-30-2019, 12:39 PM	#4
BrandonsBadA$$2015 Drives: 2015 chevy camaro lt Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Logansport, IN Posts: 4 View My Garage	Thank you Scott! I will check them out.

05-12-2019, 01:48 PM	#8
Lowandslow89 Drives: 2012 Camaro SS, 1989 Chevy c1500 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Dallas,Tx Posts: 17	Get rid of the capacitors, they will only hurt you and wont really help out at all. What all does your set up consist off? Id recommend doing a nice agm battery, and if you need an alternator id suggest either Mechman, DC Power, or Ohio Generators. They make h/o alts made specifically for car audio, the will usually generate most amperage at idle so you wont have any issues at idle. Unless you have some really high dollar capacitors, they wont really help. Your battery will keep having to recharge them each time they are drained, putting even a bigger load on your electrical system. As far as wire for anything around 1k rms watts id run 1/0 ofc or 2/0 welding wire. Welding wire tends to be packed tighter but is still cooper wire. Ive done alot of set ups in the past and help a couple of friends with their builds, what i was into before i could afford to go fast lol. Make sure your grounds are A1 aswell, that can make a difference aswell.

05-12-2019, 04:01 PM	#9
Reaper85 Drives: 2013 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Barrie, Ontario Posts: 598	Need power to make power as the saying goes. Like Low said contact mechman, DC, or Ohio. You most likely will need a second battery. Caps are great for smothering out small ripples of voltage drop. They can't help if your system is already taxed. D What does your system consist of so we can better guide you?