High Output Alt, Yellow Top battery, or Cap... which _ONE_ to buy

[id4rox]

I don't know what to do. Ive got two 12"s with a RF 750s.. an Alpine V12, an 83amp factory neon alternator and some ever start battery that came in the car when I got it two years ago.

I don't know what to buy. Upgrade the battery to a yellow top, buy a capacitor, or get a high output alternator. I'm looking to do ONE of them. I know all three is best but it is not in the budget.

What will provide best for my system and my car, given the status? Will the high output alternator make that much of a difference considering the regular, older battery in the car? Will a yellow top just be a waste of money, not improve audio/car electrical performance, and not for me? Will a cap really help that much on my system more than an alt or yellow top will?

I'm asking for advice on what to do. I'm taking a LONG road trip in 3-4 weeks and don't want to have problems with my cars electrical system, or have to lose my subs for the trip. What is the best thing to do for me? Cap, alt or yellow top? Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

Brian

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[nswartley 5,000+ posts]

upgrade the alternator first...thats always the first thing that you should do. have you already tested it on your stock alt and it doesnt work?

-nate

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

Originally posted by nswartley upgrade the alternator first...thats always the first thing that you should do.

-nate

bingo

 

[burtonsnow83 10+ year member]

unless you aren't allowed to

oh and were are you going in your roadtrip? I have one in 2 months

 

[id4rox]

IL, 2000miles. Neon 2003 baby.

I know my system draws alot of juice, more than my car can handle. I just don't know what the first step in keeping my car happy is. A yellow top with stock alternator, an alternator with normal battery! You all think the alternator upgrade will help my car first more than anything else? how so, over a yellow top, if I may ask?

Brian

 

[paikiah 5,000+ posts]

Originally posted by id4rox IL, 2000miles. Neon 2003 baby.

 

I know my system draws alot of juice, more than my car can handle. I just don't know what the first step in keeping my car happy is. A yellow top with stock alternator, an alternator with normal battery! You all think the alternator upgrade will help my car first more than anything else? how so, over a yellow top, if I may ask?

 

Brian

Alt's a generator, whilst a battery is a storage device. Why store when you can generate? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

(At least I THINK that's right)

 

[id4rox]

i just called. a 170amp alternator is $320, a bit more than I was expecting... so that's fading out of the possibilities now, and the yellow top is becoming bigger at $130. but i wonder, if i would benefit much from a yellow top, or if i would be wasting my money. a cap is only slightly less than a yellow top... i hear a yellow top would act just like a cap for my system because it's such a badass battery... am i just better off getting the battery over a cap? will the yellow top provide me with some improvement for the car and system?

help!

Brian

 

[nswartley 5,000+ posts]

you really would not be gaining much from using a yellow top with a stock alt. it might work briefly, but for daily driving your alternator still wont be able to provide enough power to a big amplifier.

-nate

 

[paikiah 5,000+ posts]

might want to look into batcaps too...//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

but again, if the 170A alt is expensive, then look for one slightly below...

Strange though, cause I think I heard Snova talk about 170A alts at much lower prices...

Why dont' you get into contact with him? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif He might know a few places that will have good deals for you.

 

[MA_Boomin' 10+ year member]

Originally posted by id4rox i just called. a 170amp alternator is $320, a bit more than I was expecting...

help!

Brian

who did you call? call the guys at http://www.4alterstart.com, chances are they can get you a good H.O. alt for under 200 bucks shipped.

 

[evo2k3 10+ year member]

Originally posted by paikiah Alt's a generator, whilst a battery is a storage device. Why store when you can generate? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

(At least I THINK that's right)

that is probably the best possible response to the problem....batteries and caps can improve functional systems, but never fix broken ones.

 

[id4rox]

they are still alot of money at that site.. GRR, now im being turned off the yellow top and toward a cap ahah. how close would a yellow top act like a cap? if a yellow top would be very similiar to a cap i'd buy the yellow top, but if they are a world of difference, then i'd lean toward the cap... a cap is for car audio, but if a yellow top is juts as good as a cap i'll get that and use it for future cars and stuff too........

thanks everyone

 

[MA_Boomin' 10+ year member]

a cap is going do nothing but waste mony for you. Save the money and buy a 180 dollar alt.

 

[taylor 10+ year member]

man you need to do some reading.....caps are nothing like a battery except that they store energy.....a cap can be useful for little voltage drops in a system, but thats it....Something has to make power right???? it doesn't magically appear out of nowhere so adding a bigger battery on a stock alternator isn't going to do anything if the alternator is having trouble charging the stocke one..... a cap is the same prob...all it is is a bandaid for a growing problem....alternator first then the yellowtop ditch the cap alltogether.....

i drive a 2001 neon i run SQ (soundquality) and i am running 2 amps a 2 screens a power inverter and a little indash eq....i have been on the stock alt for 2 years with no problems whatsoever, i have never even had a dead battery......but depending how low of load your amps are running at and if you have it full blast with test tones then you will need a new one....

http://www.sounddomain.com/id/tayls

to see my install!