Bad Alternator or Need Capacitor?

[jeremylee_7]

I have dsmlink so I have my boost guage set as a battery gauge.

Now my car has an alarm, boost/egt/wideband gauge, and a lil 450w amp powering one 12" sub for aftermarket electronics.

Anyways I am cruising around at night (so stereo going good, lights on, and everything else) and noticing at idle at the stop lights that the gauge starts dipping down to the bottom.

Does this sound like the alternator is starting to go bad, or should I just install a capacitor to my audio system??

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[frankenstein406]

grounds or sock wimpy alt wire upgraded? caps never hurt.

 

[MJBean420]

Honestly a high amp alternator is best, but good luck finding one of good quality. Try a cap. That should do it.

 

[jeremylee_7]

Ok, i have one in my garage somewhere, I will just install it tomorrow

 

[MJBean420]

heavier gauge wire too will help. Hopefully your running 4 gauge already...

 

[frankenstein406]

did you upgrade the stock alt wire? replace the grounds or check the connections?

 

[jeremylee_7]

No it is using using the stock wiring for the alternator.l

I will look into rewiring it.

The amp is using 8 gauge, it is a pretty low wattage amp