Installing upgraded electrical system

[bizzy07 10+ year member]

250 amp alternator and 2 yellow tops going in. Have an interstate battery under the hood right now. Big 3 and power wire done in 2/0 already. How would you suggest I set this up? Would an isolator be a good idea? This is the first multiple battery install I have done. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

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[TnT_Sounds 10+ year member]

You only need an isolator if you plan on playing your system at extended periods of time with the car off.

If you don't plan to play with car off then you don't need one. Just run all power to power and negatives to negatives.

Isolator is just to isolate the main starting battery so you can still start your car after you drain the aux batteries

 

[KyleBechtold 5,000+ posts]

that interstate is going to kill the other two.. get an isolator.. isolate it from the yellow tops

 

[bizzy07 10+ year member]

I don't plan on ever listening with the car off. I have heard that having a lower quality battery or even a different brand/model will sacrifice the other batteries without an isolator.

 

[bizzy07 10+ year member]

Also would I just be better off to eliminate the interstate and run one yellow top up front and one in the back?

 

[TnT_Sounds 10+ year member]

I don't see how it would affect the battery that much meanwhile. As long as they all charge the same I can't see an issue. I always thought when running multiple batteries you were supposed to run the same sizes and all made within the same time

 

[bizzy07 10+ year member]

anyone else?

 

[99grandprixGT 5,000+ posts]

if it were me i would put one up front and one in the rear and then see how your elec handles the amp. if you still get some voltage drop add another yellow top in the rear.

 

[bizzy07 10+ year member]

if it were me i would put one up front and one in the rear and then see how your elec handles the amp. if you still get some voltage drop add another yellow top in the rear.

I will probably try this first but my car has side post terminals (being gm) and the yellow tops have top studs and can prove to be a pain in the *** to switch back and forth.

 

[99grandprixGT 5,000+ posts]

they make a yellow top with side posts.

 

[bizzy07 10+ year member]

I got a good deal on them though so of course I can't pass it up.

 

[99grandprixGT 5,000+ posts]

oh well in that case, id buy one with side posts for the front and stick the two you got in tha back and call it a day. whats another 140 when you already spent a couple gs.

 

[Proximity 10+ year member]

Also would I just be better off to eliminate the interstate and run one yellow top up front and one in the back?

That's what I'd do. How much power are you running?

 

[bizzy07 10+ year member]

Going to be running an aq3500d at 1 ohm.