So 1 thing i've always been confused on is the following...
If i run 2 batteries where should i put the fuses?
between 1st and 2nd battery?
also is a battery isolator really needed? and if so how big of one do you need when running an american bass 500.1 on a optima red top and blue top...

thanks

 

fuse normally goes between battery and equipment.

isolators are F'ing gay. but in your case if you gonna use one get one that's as big as you can find.

fuses and isolators make your set up work not as good as it could without them tho. by their nature, fuses and isolators restrict current flow. big amps like yours need all the current they can get.

 

I agree. You have to decide between ultimate safety and ultimate performance. Ultimate performance says no isolators or fuses. Ultimate safety demands both.

If it were me, no isolator, and a fuse at each end of the wire that connects the two batteries (unless they are side-by-side)

 

i was thinking just running fuses... ANL of course.
doing 2 under the hood and 2 in the trunk....
1 between batts and 1 between rear bat and amps

 

lol wait, what? why?

 

What at what? The fuse at each end of the long cable? There's a battery at each end so it needs to be fused at each end.

 

I have judged over 300 SQ vehicles and 1000 SPL, and have never seen a battery isolator used. I have never seen one offered for sale at a car audio shop. I do not dispute their value just their necessity.

Proper fusing (every power source having a fuse on their +) is a good idea. Two world record holding vehicles (in their class) have burnt up after a show while going home due to electrical issues. Will the fusing make you louder, no... can it save you from your poor electrical work ...yes.

 

^ I include an isolating relay in the loose term of 'isolator'. If you want to play all day without fear that you are going to start then it's a good idea but then your system still only has one battery to play off of.