HO alternator vs. giant battery

[tinmanchris217 10+ year member]

Simple question about cost-benefit analysis for anyone with electrical experience.

Amplifier will be drawing 160-180 amps when burping, and 40-50 for daily. For burps, this is currently more than my electrical can handle(80 amp alt+YellowTop+1/0).

Will I see more benefit from:

a) $400 for a HO alternator giving the 14.5V (DC, Iraggi, Delco, etc)

b) $150 for a monster battery to keep volts steady at 12.5V (C&D, etc.)

c) I need them both

If you have a reason for your choice, I'll take it more seriously.

Thanks in advance, guys.

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[dappa5 10+ year member]

D. up grade both plus do the big three

 

[smoka 10+ year member]

b) but go with an automotive batt if you want it to last. Deka 9a31 is near that price range.

IMHO you don't have a big enough amp to require a HO.

If you still need more power after b), then get the HO. But I would not bother with the alt unless you get more batt capacity first.

 

[tinmanchris217 10+ year member]

@ Dappa,

I have Big 3 (see sig). Which is more important for a burping system, though?

@ Smoka,

Thanks for the help. I have been looking at the Deka Intimidators. Excellent bats and would fit the bill quite well. Dollar for dollar a big bat would yield the best results.

My thinking is that the amp will draw from the highest voltage source available. So if the alternator produces more than 100% of the amp's capacity, then a new battery shouldn't be necessary, except for the fastest transients.

Is this thinking wrong?

 

[TNTR70 10+ year member]

if you burp with the engine running then do the alt but if you burp with the engine off then do battery, running daily doesn't really matter at this point

 

[smoka 10+ year member]

If you are mainly interested in burping, you might just want to get some cheap walmart starting batts. Starting batts have thinner plates which mean more surface-area = more available current. The only downside is that they won't last as long if you cycle them often, and they will lose capacity over time if you discharge them too low.

Most people get the high AH (AGM) batts for daily drivers because they can handle the constant charge/discharge cycling and will last much longer.

But for burps you are really only looking for a high CA.

I just brought this up because you said you'd be doing 40-50a daily which your yellow should handle fine. Just something to think about....