So since ive wired that new amp up I've had some concerns.. When I get home from work at night I back into my garage, well the past 2 nights after shifting into reverse my battery guage goes way down my lights dim and doesnt go back to normal until i rev the engine real fast.. and its fine.. I do NOT like the looks of that.. When my car is in park and running while im on break if im listening to music.. not even turned up and i turn the heat on the guage will go down a little and go back to around 16/17.. so I understand this amp draws more power, but what should i do to prevent my alternator from dying out? It scares me that it drops like that just because i shifted into reverse.. and ive only noticed that happening the past two nights and only in my own driveway.. its strange and I dont like it.

It isn't completely uncommon for this to happen, my SLE does it, my 99 SLE did it. There are things you can do to help your electrical system out though starting with "The big three". Upgrade the wiring going to the alternator and the battery and your car will thank you. Also make sure your battery terminals are clean as well as all ground points.

damn i clicked too fast and put this in the wrong section, could someone please send this to audio or wherever you think it fits.

ill look at my wires to my alternator, im pretty sure they havent been touched in a while, the battery terminals are fine considering they arent exposed at all but doesnt hurt to look again I suppose.

You got the move I added to your title though. Being one of the many that jump in quick to help out, a title of "uh oh" isn't really descriptive. You need to catch the attention of the folks you want help from. A good title can draw many more people into your thread.

First off, how massive is this amp? Try unhooking it tonight and see if it still does the same thing. We assume that'* the cause, but what if a reverse bulb is drawing a lot of current?

Just a thought, is the idle speed control working properly?, it may be your amp is outstripping the alternator output at low engine speed. Try switching on all services at idle (A/C, fan, lights, HRW etc) and see if that has a similar effect.

Just did that its really only the blower of my vent, the batt goes from 15 to 12 to 15 again while driving it doesnt but stays at 17.

17 volts is too high, ideally it should be between 13.5-15 volts, I would guess your regulator isn't working properly. If you run too long at 17 volts you risk damaging the battery, also that will cause bulbs to blow and more importantly risk harming sensitive electronic equipment as well.

I suspect something else is at fault here... I have ran over 30 differant amps and from experience a modest-low power Kenwood amp wont cause any significant voltage drop.

Is this a new problem that has occured after u installed the New Kenwood?

the gauge on the dash board is not accurate for actual numbers if thats were that came from.

my 99 SLE does this too. The voltage drops all of the time. It drops down to 8 volts or even into the red and I have to rev it quickly. What is wrong with her? I was supposed to put a system into her but now I'm a bit afraid to.