Alternator or extra battery?

[lazyblazy]

Hi, I have two alpine type x's running off the Alpine M240. I just got a yellow top battery and it held up well for awhile. But now my lights are dimming bad and my deck shuts off when it really hits hard. Im running the stock alternator in my 02 Grand Prix GTP. Should i switch my yellow top to the trunk and put my original car battery back in? Or should i look into upgrading my alternator? I'm also running 4 gauge wire.

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[Chriszle 10+ year member]

I do not know where to start so I will list everything. First off 4 gauge wire is not enough for that amp, and it says so in the owners manual.... Second make sure your gains are set correctly, there are tutorials on this site. Third, upgrade the big 3, also a tutorial on the site. Fourth, after you address the first three issues, if you are still having voltage problems, a secondary battery may help, but without knowing what your stock alt puts out, cannot give advice as to whether or not you should have a new alt as well.

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

you need to ensure the battery is being charged. it should float around 12.5-12.8V with no load. lower than that and it needs to be charged.

the alt needs to be able to charge the battery and power the system.

the battery needs to be charged on a regular basis and be in good working order (no bad cells)

 

[CrossoverOre 10+ year member]

do what chriszle said first. but from what it sounds like to me is your alt is not sufficient to keep your batt charged and over time it has become a prob. I would make sure your batt is still fully functional and get a ho alt.