How many batteries / "power cells" will I need to...

[emilimo701 10+ year member]

...run my ~600w RMS system with my car(engine) off for 60-90 minutes?

I have a Cadence ZRS7000 amp for my sub (900w RMS @ 2 ohms @ 13.8v) and Zapco Ref750.2 for two speakers run out of my trunk (175w RMS x2 @ 4 ohms @ ?? volts)

the ~600w RMS is an estimate as of course I won't be pushing my equipment to the limit, but I do blast it pretty hard while tailgating

Right now, I can't play music at a moderate volume for more than 10 minutes before my battery drains to the point of needing a jump start to start the engine.

Is this possible without spending a ridiculous amount of money on a ridiculous amount of batteries? Should I just keep my engine running while tailgating/chillin? What do other audio enthusiasts do in this case?

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[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

So take what ya got currently and x it by 20.

 

[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

Or ya could do like we always used to, throw 6 or 8 D8 cat batts in the box, and run some heavy duty jumpers on em. They last forever and a day.

 

[Xanthous 10+ year member]

5 more battery's for 60 minutes of play. Good Luck.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

10 on an isolator is a safe estimate. A solenoid isolator works well for a lowish power system.

 

[emilimo701 10+ year member]

So take what ya got currently and x it by 20.

you mean divide?

 

[emilimo701 10+ year member]

5 more battery's for 60 minutes of play. Good Luck.

doing the math, this seems to be the unfortunate answer

 

[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

Nope....I mean take what ya currently have for batts ( 1 I assume) and add 20 more.

 

[emilimo701 10+ year member]

so basically the answer is... gotta keep the engine running?

 

[emilimo701 10+ year member]

10 on an isolator is a safe estimate. A solenoid isolator works well for a lowish power system.

10 batteries? at how many amp-hours each?

 

[LiveAudio911 10+ year member]

Just pay the extra money for Gas.. and keep the car running..

 

[9515ROB 10+ year member]

playing your system without you car on is asking for death for you amps and subs all you are doing is clipping the hell out of your amps because you just keep dropping voltage, You are going to have to keep your car running thats the only way without turning your sub amp off and getting an extra battery for your speaker amp. I got 8 batts 560ah total and i still have to start my car every once in awhile to recharge my 2 amps for just my speakers

 

[emilimo701 10+ year member]

playing your system without you car on is asking for death for you amps and subs all you are doing is clipping the hell out of your amps because you just keep dropping voltage, You are going to have to keep your car running thats the only way without turning your sub amp off and getting an extra battery for your speaker amp. I got 8 batts 560ah total and i still have to start my car every once in awhile to recharge my 2 amps for just my speakers

Thanks. That's exactly what I was looking for: an answer from somebody with experience.

So I guess my only other question is, is there any reason to upgrade my current battery or add auxiliary batteries? Right now my system runs fine with engine running -- no hints of voltage wilt, car starts just fine.

 

[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

You can get C&D batts that have 134 ah each that are the same size as a reg batt. So 8 of them would double your whopping 560 ah. It is not all about AH.

 

[emilimo701 10+ year member]

Okay, let's say I decided to increase my efficiency... like 2 sensitive 15s in ported boxes instead of one 12 in a sealed, got a nice efficient class d amp, maybe upgraded to 4 speakers instead of two (also for the sake of efficiency) and maybe even ran a class d to the speakers as well... I'm trying to figure things out and see if there is a relatively inexpensive w1ay to do this, just out of curiosity if not anything else