I think I need an HO Alternator and battery

[Trancer 10+ year member]

Ok, so I searched the forums and was wondering if anyone had a good cheat sheet for how many watts people are running with their car stereo's to match up with the right upgraded HO Alternator.

I have a 2008 5.3l Sierra Crew Cab Texas Edition. I believe it has a 140 amp alternator. This isnt enough for the amount of wattage my stereo is putting out. I am planning on adding an additional battery as I have an extra battery tray on the opposite side of my current battery. My voltage drops pretty low into the 12's. Lights dim, and wipers at full speed go slower and my a/c blows lighter.

Here is my current amp system.

Phoenix Gold Tantrum 1200.1 @ 2 ohms

Phoenix Gold Tantrum 400.2 @ 2 ohms

Clarion 4 channel amp bridged. Channel 1 and 2 for the left and Channel 3 and 4 for the right. So its at 2 ohms. Roughly 600-650 watts. Sorry, I cant find the model number. Its an older school amp with 3 blue LED lights, with the top being a silver heatsink.

Rockford Fosgate 3.Sixty.1

My estimate is that I am running roughly 2500 watts.

I have heard alot about Iraggi and Bumpin' Yoda recommending Key Validation Failure

Im thinking a 300 amp alternator should be sufficient. These alternators are **** expensive.

Also, what about adding a battery? I have heard there are cheaper and better options than Optima. I have already upgraded my wiring from the alternator to my current battery to 1/0 awg and my ground with 1/0 awg. I also have the same wiring going from my battery to my Kicker Distro block. All kicker wiring.

Thanks for the help fella's.

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[Phoenix Risen 10+ year member]

kinetik batts are never a bad choice, they also have a calculator on their site that can tell you what you need for your system, Kinetik High Current Power Cells

as always its a good idea to do two of the same batts, even if it is over kill on the watts that they can handle thats never a bad thing, and can give you some flex to go a little bigger later on

 

[duro78 10+ year member]

You might be able to get away with a good main batt and big 3 if your alt is a 140

 

[nateberrier 10+ year member]

I run a stock battery and a Deka intimidator group 31, can be had for 100 bucks on the forum here. dbeez is the guy to talk to. That along with the big three should take care of you. I run 2500 watts off that and a stock 80 amp //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[AlterEgo99 5,000+ posts]

1. Big 3

2. Additional battery...your batts should be the same (http://www.caraudio.com/forum/wiring-electrical-installation-help/398527-dual-battery-wiring-tutorial-why.html)

3. HO Alternator