Is a new alternator necessary with these amps?

[acura3.2tl 10+ year member]

Hi guys I was wondering if I need a new alternator since I have a Hifonics Brutus amp that will be pushing 1500 watts to 2 JL audio 12W7's and a 2ch. Kicker amp that will be pushing 300 watts to some 6.5" Alpine components. I have a 1999 Acura 3.2tl with a stock alternator right now. This is the alternator I was looking at: https://www.dcpowerinc.com/fit/1999~Acura~TL~3.2L-V6-J32A/13769-320-hp.html

Or is thre a better alternator alternative?

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[stl_314 10+ year member]

that is a great alt, but you coud reay use another battery. ! good group 31 and you might not need a new alt

 

[acura3.2tl 10+ year member]

Good group 31? I dont understand what that means.... please excuse my ignorance!

 

[Dtrom 10+ year member]

You should be alright with "the big 3" upgrade and an extra batt.

 

[acura3.2tl 10+ year member]

how much 0ga. cable do I need for the big 3? And can someone recommend a battery with a link possibly? How would the new battery be installed? Can i trust quality auto sound to do it all right?

 

[Dtrom 10+ year member]

how much 0ga. cable do I need for the big 3? And can someone recommend a battery with a link possibly? How would the new battery be installed? Can i trust quality auto sound to do it all right?

I used around maybe 2-2.5 ft for my big 3. If that. In most cases power will be ran front starting batt to second batt, second batt grounded to chassis, then power and ground ran off 2nd batt to amp. Yes any audio shop will do it.

 

[stl_314 10+ year member]

group 31 is a class of battery

 

[acura3.2tl 10+ year member]

would a yellow top optima be a good second battery?

 

[stl_314 10+ year member]

yes but i would use it as an under the hood battery tbh

 

[av83 10+ year member]

I used around maybe 2-2.5 ft for my big 3. If that. In most cases power will be ran front starting batt to second batt, second batt grounded to chassis, then power and ground ran off 2nd batt to amp. Yes any audio shop will do it.

Better to ground the rear battery to the front...

 

[Dtrom 10+ year member]

Better to ground the rear battery to the front...

True. I've always grounded to chassis and haven't had problems.

 

[av83 10+ year member]

True. I've always grounded to chassis and haven't had problems.

I did both, lol. But of you actually have a frame to work with, I would think that would be fine.

 

[acura3.2tl 10+ year member]

So would my lights dim at all with the second battery in the bacK? And would I need a second battery if I went with the new alternator? And would this be necessary at all: http://www.woofersetc.com/p-5297-sgp32-stinger-pro-200-amp-high-power-relay-battery-isolator.aspx

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

So would my lights dim at all with the second battery in the bacK? And would I need a second battery if I went with the new alternator? And would this be necessary at all: WoofersEtc.com - SGP32 - Stinger PRO 200 Amp High Power Relay/ Battery Isolator

the isolator is not needed unless you intend to play with the engine off a lot..all it does is isolates the front battery and keeps it from being drained when the engine is off.

IMO, you should do as others suggested and get the big3 done and run the biggest AGM deep cycle battery you can afford up front....And then, if you are still having issues, think about adding a second AGM deep cycle to the rear(or the DC Power ALT)...I feel comfortable that the big 3 and a good AGM deep cycle batt up front will do you just fine with that amp..Optima's are easy to find and replace, but there are far superior available. I used the Kinetiks HC2000 up front and a big 3 with the Brutus BXI1205D for 4 yrs without a single issue with voltage dropping or battery failure. As a matter of fact, I recently sold the Kinetiks for 1/2 what I paid for it 4 yrs ago..it still held a healthy 12.7v at rest.

As far as the new alt, if you can readily afford the DC Power, by all means do it, but I would still recommend the big 3 and a good AGM deep cycle for the front battery...but then you would be good for a future 5k and beyond set up with the ability to keep multiple batteries charged

 

[acura3.2tl 10+ year member]

Ok so if I could spend $650 what would you recommend I do? Would the alternator be the way to go with a battery up front? And are Shuriken batteries any good?