Get a 2nd Battery or Replace the Stock Battery with a Bigger One?

[Rhythm 10+ year member]

I think I'm in the home stretch with figuring out everything for my first system.

It's been more than 6 years that I've been going back and forth about buying a system, and I think I actually might pull the trigger!

One of my last questions is regarding an additional battery. I don't know if I should get a second battery to work with my stock battery, or if I should just buy a more powerful battery to REPLACE the stock battery with.

The system would be right around 1000 rms for a 2012 Civic LX when it's all said and done. I was told to steer clear of capacitors.

Any thoughts or advantages/disadvantages to either way?

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[ThxOne Premium Member]

Oh you're gonna be told to steer clear of caps lol trust me lol. Jump on a Big 3 upgrade and an AGM battery up front. I am sure the others will come in and agree.

 

[Rhythm 10+ year member]

Oh you're gonna be told to steer clear of caps lol trust me lol. Jump on a Big 3 upgrade and an AGM battery up front. I am sure the others will come in and agree.

Thanks - I've got another person telling me to invest in a HO alternator....is that necessary?

 

[ThxOne Premium Member]

Thanks - I've got another person telling me to invest in a HO alternator....is that necessary?

With a Big three and an AGM battery with aprx. 1000w rms... I wouldn't suspect you'd need an H.O. alt just yet. Just make sure you use the correct size cable to the amps and ground them well.

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

Steer clear of **** caps, that are under 20f and are one big cylinder.

Absolutely go for banks of maxwell or XS power ultracaps. They're 3000f and ~400-500f in a bank and make a massive difference, but you need to have a HO alt first.

Considering you are running 1000w you don't need a bank of caps, and you might not need a HO alt. Just some proper wiring.

 

[BOOMINGRANDPA 5,000+ posts]

I think I'm in the home stretch with figuring out everything for my first system.
It's been more than 6 years that I've been going back and forth about buying a system, and I think I actually might pull the trigger!

One of my last questions is regarding an additional battery. I don't know if I should get a second battery to work with my stock battery, or if I should just buy a more powerful battery to REPLACE the stock battery with.

The system would be right around 1000 rms for a 2012 Civic LX when it's all said and done. I was told to steer clear of capacitors.

Any thoughts or advantages/disadvantages to either way?

depends on how many amps alt has mine is 125 and i run 1100rms no problems with agm start batt and big3 wires..