Nuts and Bolts with Buffalo Jim

Hey Buffalo,

I just dropped a pair of 12-inch subwoofers into my 1994 Ford Crown Victoria S, but every time I turn up the bass, my lights go dim. I ordered the system online and my cousin helped install it, but I think we might have messed something up. Is it possible that we installed the wrong kind of amplifier? Or is the car just not equipped to handle that kind of load?

--Burton Lynch

Basically, bro, those stereo components are like a junkie, and they're not going to let up until they get their fix. Keep in mind that your electrical system was designed to power the standard components inside your vehicle, not a bunch of high-powered accessories. In order to do that, you're either going to have to streamline your system or upgrade the original equipment.

The first--and cheapest--thing to do is to check your battery. If it's one of those expensive deep-cycle batteries, swap it out for a cheapie. Those deep cycles are killer for the cold winters in Canada, but all they do in Las Vegas is put an unnecessary load on your alternator. (As a side note, I replace a lot of burnt-out alternators for exactly this reason.) If that doesn't solve the problem, you might consider upgrading to a PowrCap battery. They run about $200, but they have a built-in capacitor that stores extra power for that big bass blast. Or as a last resort, you could upgrade to a high-output alternator. This is going to cost you some dollars (like $500-$1,000), but it might be worth it depending on how much you spent on your system. Suffice to say that you're going to have the dimming problem until you free up some more power within the system. It reminds me of an old saying in the automotive trade: You need big power if you want to make big noise.

Buffalo Jim is the owner of Allstate Auto Marine. He has listened to Black Sabbath on vinyl, 8-track, cassette, CD and DVD audio. He doesn't do karaoke, but if he did, he would sing "War Pigs." E-mail him your car questions at buffalojim@lasvegasmercury.com.