Should I add a second battery?
Alright so I did some more reading and this is what I found
1) Adding a second battery will burn out your alt because now it has to charge two batteries
2) Replacing your alt with a High Output aftermarket one is found to be very unreliable.
The only thing consistent in my searches is doing the Big three is very beneficial
I’m not trying to go against people’s advice just trying to figure out the correct and safe way to do this
Frank
1) Adding a second battery will burn out your alt because now it has to charge two batteries
2) Replacing your alt with a High Output aftermarket one is found to be very unreliable.
The only thing consistent in my searches is doing the Big three is very beneficial
I’m not trying to go against people’s advice just trying to figure out the correct and safe way to do this
Frank
1) = Bullsh!t unless you have a 20A alt. Just be sure to have proper runs of wiring and grounds and the batt in the rear will charge fine. Because you're using an SQ car, I suggest a batt with a higher reserve rate, because the car will most likely be turned off during judging.
2) = Bullsh!t. There are countless amounts of people who have custom alts as well as bolt on alts built by many reputable companies, just be prepared to pay the big bucks.
fair enough but whats the point for a daily driver he could get away with 4 gauge and a single battery and the big 3 if he has the money then go for it but if hes doesnt want to spend money he doesnt have to he can still get away with it just fine keith ran 3200 watts off a single kinetic 1800 with no power issues whatsover and he has one of the nicest sounding cars in canada
http://www.bcae1.com/wire.htm
Last edited by CoreyC; Feb 10, 2010 at 12:29 AM.
Yankee
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
Alright so I did some more reading and this is what I found
1) Adding a second battery will burn out your alt because now it has to charge two batteries
2) Replacing your alt with a High Output aftermarket one is found to be very unreliable.
The only thing consistent in my searches is doing the Big three is very beneficial
I’m not trying to go against people’s advice just trying to figure out the correct and safe way to do this
Frank
1) Adding a second battery will burn out your alt because now it has to charge two batteries
2) Replacing your alt with a High Output aftermarket one is found to be very unreliable.
The only thing consistent in my searches is doing the Big three is very beneficial
I’m not trying to go against people’s advice just trying to figure out the correct and safe way to do this
Frank
1- not true, I suppose if you drain the batteries to 11 volts every day you might put a little strain on the system but that isnt what you plan on doing (no parking lot pounding with the engine off). alternators fail and batteries fail all the time without a high powered stereo so this is a bit of an urban myth, using a bigger battery would also have the same affect BTW.
2- havent heard that, I have a HO alt and they can be a serious pain (computers have to control them in some cars and I went through 2 till I got the right one... it has been trouble free for years)
as for the wire size, I will repeat myself each amp wants a 4 gauge wire, your system amperage is high enough to warrant a 0 gauge especially if you opt for one battery.
canadian car cable info
Remember with the engine running you are drawing current from your alternator, once system current exceeds the alternators capabilities (system voltage drops to about 12.5 volts) then you start drawing off the battery. I have recommended a second battery but a larger battery up front should be adequate until you discover the volume ****...
Thread Starter
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 122
thank you guys for all this information, I'm going to check and see what amp my alt is putting out. What would you guys say is a good about of output, because if I can add a second battery to my factory alt then I might think about doing that.
Frank
Frank
Nick
You'll be fine running an extra batt in the trunk, and you wont need anything too much either.
You will see on Saturday bro. I can show you in real time with basically the same electrical as you have what running 2.5k+ on stock battery and alt is doing. Volume goes to 35 and the only dimming is over 30, and yes it is setup right so I can turn it up to 35 without any distortion or troubles.
Nick
Nick
If someone had completed the Big 3 in 0 gauge...purchased a yellow top Optima...was running a ARC KS300.4 and ARC KS500.1 amp...running SQ (and one IDQ12)...would they get away with one battery and a 120 or 140 amp alternator?
