Your Alpine Type R sub has dual 4 ohm voice coils. Your amplifier is stable to 2 ohms. If you wire your subwoofer in parallel, it will present a 2 ohm load to your amplifier.

The JL Audio web site has a decent tutorial that explains what this means. Check out the section labeled "1 DVC driver with Voice Coils in Parallel".

Wiring Your Subs: Dual Voice Coils

 

Alright thank you. So I should re-wire it like that if its not already?

 

I just looked at the Alpine web site. I assumed your sub was dual 4-ohm based on a quick Google search. It looks like they have two versions. One version is dual 2-ohm.

If you have the dual 4-ohm version, you definitely want it wired in parallel. If you have the 2-ohm version, it should be wired in series. Hopefully, you have the dual 4-ohm model as it is a much better fit for your situation.

 

I am not sure whether it is 4 ohm or 2 ohm. But I just looked at the way its wired and it is wired in parallel right now.

 

Where did you buy it? If it was from a reputable shop, they wouldn't have sold you the 2-ohm version. It would work well in a two sub setup, but not alone with a 2-ohm stable amp.

The sub should be marked with the impedence somewhere or at least have a model number listed. Model SWR-1022D is 2 ohm; SWR-1042D is 4 ohm.

 

I bought it used from someone. I will look on the sub and try to find the model number.

 

I am going to try wiring it in series tomorrow and see if that helps.

 

If you wire a 4 ohm sub in series, your amp will only put out about 250 watts RMS vs 500 watts if wired in parallel.

 

How much is it hurting my alternator if only my interior lights dim a little when the bass hits? My headlights don't even dim, my sidemarkers dim a little bit.

 

I don't think this will affect your alternator. You are actually stressing it less in this condition than if the wire gauge were thicker. Since the amp can't pull all the power it wants, the alternator doesn't have to charge the battery as much.

I don't remember hearing of any serious electrical problems attributed to headlight dimming. However, I imagine it puts a strain on the amp in terms of heat build up and on other electrical components sensitive to undervoltage.

 

Really? Everyone says it will eventually ruin my alternator?

 

Yeah, I might be incorrect. I'm thinking more of an undersized power cable running to the amp. Now that I give it more thought, the alternator could be in jeopardy due to the resistance posed by the combination of an undersized "big 3" and increased load.

Maybe someone else can chime in with better information.

 

Alright I appreciate the help anyways. Anyone else got an idea?

 

Anyone?

 

dimming lights are usual for people with system like everyone say u should do the BIG 3 and off course cap will not help ur lights from dimming i have 5farad cap running 1000/1 jl amp and 12inch w7 but what i would do is get a better alternator and i recommend u brg it to a shop if that doesnt stop ur lights from dimming then go red or yellow top utimadrive battery.