dimming problem.

oh alright gotcha i put a link for the seloniod one i need the other one the bar one, i just looked on ebay, the 200A ones are like 150-200$cdn and i found 140A for like 100-130 what would be better the 200 amp or 140 amp id prefer not to get a new alternator as it would be a month or 2 till i can get one.
As long as the isolator is rated to at least your alt max output, you should be fine. I usually recommend the 200A since you had plans on a bigger alt down the road. You could use the isolator with your new alt too, as long as it was rated big enough for the new alt as well. So that is the reason why I said go for a big one.

 
I prefer Kinetik myself, because I have used them and know they are good, but other brands that are good as well are Deka, XS, Odyssey, Hawker, and Stinger. Just find a good deal with any of those brands and you should be all good.

 
ok thanks one last question what model of battery? ive heard of the kinetic n stinger before but i have no idea on what model to get
Easiest thing to do is go out and measure your stock battery. I think it is a G34 in that car, but I am not 100% positive. A G34 is very popular in the GM cars. After you know the dimensions of your stock battery, find one that matches.

For example, if your battery was 9 x 6 x 8 in (L x W x H), that would be a G51. Some of the G51 batteries are the HC1400 and the D5100.

 
First off, you DO NOT want a solenoid based isolator. You want a diode based unit.
My suggestion (similar to above) is:

1) Big 3 (done)

2) Biggest AGM battery you can afford in back

3) 200A diode based isolator (see picture below for reference)
You could do all of that, but its not necessary IMO. First off that 1608 is probably going to be

Next, if you want to run a two batt system, an isolator should be your LAST option. They are only used when you want to connect 2 seperate batt types. (ex. if you want to keep your flooded up front, and an AGM in back, then use an isolator)

The diode has an internal resistance, the standard voltage drop across a diode is 0.7V (basic electronics 101). Some companies probably use exotic materials which is how they might be able to reduce this voltage drop to the 0.4-0.6, but I wouldn't count on all isolators being that way without reading the fine print.

In perspective, with a 15ft run of power cable, pulling 100A (~1300W), a 0.7 voltage drop makes your 0ga run turn into a 6ga run.

wire resistance and voltage drop calculator

Some people modify their regulator on their alt to make up for this volt drop but I don't have any exp with that.

Your best bet, is to get 2 good batts that are the same size (and if possible have near the same datecode). Then wire them in parallel (w/fuses).

You can pick up 2 yellow tops for close to $300, then you'll only have to buy some 0ga to run to your trunk.

Personally, I would just buy one yellowtop for under your hood. Then when you upgrade, and if you have dimming problems, just buy a 2nd yellow top (same group size) for your trunk. If they are the same group size and wired in parallel, they act like one big batt and don't need isolators/solenoids.

 
The issue with the single up front battery is that it will be to small and too far away from the amps to give you enough power. If you are worried about the 1/2 volt drop with the isolator, wait until you see your volts drop more than twice that much. You are going to for sure need more than one. The stock battery in that car is likely a group 34, which is somewhat small. One of those will not run 1500W RMS alone. At that point, you will need to buy another matching one for the rear. Let's look at the costs involved here:

Option 1 - Dual XS D3400

$240 each battery

--------------

$480 total

Option 2 - 9A31 + Isolator

$175 each battery

$100 isolator

$150 MLA Adapter

--------------

$425 Total

It would be cheaper and would be much more powerful to take option #2. Do whichever you want, but I just showed you that #2 is cheaper than the "easy" way. There is no doubt in my mind that option #2 would by far exceed the ability of option #1.

 
it kinda sucks being in canada cuz of shipping and what not, im not sure what option i will choose like i said ill be looking into both, but it comes down to what i can buy here for batteries.

 
it kinda sucks being in canada cuz of shipping and what not, im not sure what option i will choose like i said ill be looking into both, but it comes down to what i can buy here for batteries.
Well I know for sure you can at lest get Kinetik batteries up there. You can call the major distributor up there and they can either ship some to you, or they can tell you where to find a store near you to buy in person. Here is the info I found the other day for another guy up in Canada:

Location: Canada

Company: Gem-Sen

Contact: Rolf Juraschka

Phone: 905-660-3110

Email: rolfj@gemsen.com

Website: http://www.gemsen.com

 
Activity
No one is currently typing a reply...
Old Thread: Please note, there have been no replies in this thread for over 3 years!
Content in this thread may no longer be relevant.
Perhaps it would be better to start a new thread instead.

About this thread

kyleorsini

10+ year member
CarAudio.com Elite
Thread starter
kyleorsini
Joined
Location
winnipeg,mb
Start date
Participants
Who Replied
Replies
28
Views
1,618
Last reply date
Last reply from
kyleorsini
IMG_0710.png

michigan born

    May 14, 2026
  • 0
  • 0
IMG_0709.png

michigan born

    May 14, 2026
  • 0
  • 0

New threads

Top