Been doing a TON of research on charging system, now need experts!

[nickk678 10+ year member]

So alot of my equipment is comign within the next month. The amps will be a Kicker ZX1000.1 (running 2 12" Rl-p's)and a ZX650.4. (running Kicker SS comps active). My stock alternator (1999 Sebring LXi) is, I believe, 90 amps. I will also pick up a 5 farad or so stiffening cap for big hits.

Question is, can I get buy with just a bigger battery? I don't want to put unnecesary current through my wires/amps because the alternator can't sufficiently power the car audio equipment. I will be doing the Big 3, also. If you think a new alternator is necesary, what size would be sufficient, and what manufacturors would you reccommend.

I've been reading alot of tutorials about the charging systems and have a fairly good idea of how they work now. I just need an exact answer for my system.

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[keifersracing 10+ year member]

the best thing to do is take your alt and have it made to 150amp and use 0 ga wire,and one good batt. that is what i would do

 

[nickk678 10+ year member]

the best thing to do is take your alt and have it made to 150amp and use 0 ga wire,and one good batt. that is what i would do

Have it rewound? How much does that usually run? Do I just look in the yellowpages for a local shop of some sort? I've never had a rewound done before.

 

[sqhertz 5,000+ posts]

i was wondering the same. a friend of mine told me $80 from a friend of his... dunno if thats right though.

 

[keifersracing 10+ year member]

no there is more to it then that but ya look in the book and fine someone that can do it for my car it would be like 175 plus tax

 

[keifersracing 10+ year member]

Have it rewound? How much does that usually run? Do I just look in the yellowpages for a local shop of some sort? I've never had a rewound done before.

i sent you a pm

 

[gl0ck 10+ year member]

lxi is the convertable right?, Im pretty sure the coupe just like the avenger has a 110 amp or around their alt.

 

[prochobo 10+ year member]

An upgraded battery + big 3 should get you by fine. If you're worried about your alternator not being able to handle it and die, you may want to re-think that. I've put strain on my 90amp alternator and dipped into my battery everyday for at least 6 months and alt still charges at 14.4, battery holds voltage at 12.7v. Then again, I can't vouch for the quality of your alt.

Although it's not a requirement to get a bigger alt, it would be nice, but you don't NEED one.

 

[nVRuckus 5,000+ posts]

prochobo check your PMs please

 

[nickk678 10+ year member]

The LXi is the coupe. I believe it is only 90amps, as most of the OEM replacements I have found on websites are 90 amps. Some are 110-125, though. I guess I'll start with the big 3 + battery, and make a few phone calls just for the hell of it.

Well, what batteries do you guys lie? I see alot of good things are said about the yellowtops, but aren't there alot of different kinds of yellowtops? I know Stinger makes batts, but they seem expensive.

 

[keifersracing 10+ year member]

this is a good batt kinetik 2400 but it would be about $220.00 i have a kinetik 600hc i would sell for 85 plus shiping it is 9mo old and i paid 150.00 for it

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

You can't just have any ol' alt rewound for 50% more output. There has to be room in the case for the extra windings, and means for the added heat to be dissipated.

The local shop I talked to here said a rebuild can get you maybe 20% more current with the average alt. It was a while back, but I think he said he'd do it for less than $100.

As for a batt. I personally believe for a standard installation those $100+ batteries are WAY over-rated. I have a $60 everstart from wal-mart that is going on 7 yrs old, many of which was with an undersized alt.

It hasn't lived a good life - I've run it dead at least 5 times, probably closer to 10 (it's not a deep cycle) and that thing keeps on tickin'.

The gel cell batteries are nice for unorthodox orientations, and I'm sure they're fine batteries in general, but IMO you can get a really good battery that will last a LONG time for well under $100.

 

[gl0ck 10+ year member]

Fyi-Lxi i think is the Sebring version of the es, which is indeed 110 amps as long as you have the V6

Checkout aseclub.net or asog.net for resources for your bring.

 

[knukonceptz 10+ year member]

Skip the cap, add a second battery. Two good batteries and 110A alt will handle your abuse all day long. Any battery mounted in the cabin/trunk needs to be a sealed type battery though.

 

[nickk678 10+ year member]

You guys are giving me great info. Thanks alot everyone.

I'll look into some cheaper batteries at my local shops. What are some thing sI should look for in a battery. I've read the thread stickied, and tehre are a million stats for a battery. Which ones should I pay the most attention to?