Lights still dim, time for second battery?

[plyer3 10+ year member]

I've asked this before but want to make sure if I really need a second battery.

My setup:

Type-R 6.5 Components 110rms

Kicker 6x9s 100rms

Both powered by an MTX Thunder 3404, running 50x4 @ 4ohm into all the speakers.

2 Type-R 12s

powered by an Orion 1200D

so that's around 1400RMS power going into the speakers

My electrical system consists of a 165AMP Alto, Kinetik HC1400, and the Big 3 Upgrade. I may have to clean the ground more, but I don't know if that'll affect the system.

So if I do need a new battery, what the best to get? I prefer a smaller one since I need the trunk space and don't really like having a battery in the trunk. If I can get another battery under the hood, what should I get? I have a friend with the same car(honda accord) and he has 2 batteries next to each other. They had to make a tight fit though, and he replaced his airfilter in order to have space next to the battery.

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[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

how much power is the alt doing at idle?

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

no clue, the alternator was bought on ebay. it's the 2.3 v4 alternator honda accord 99 when i searched on ebay.

 

[BoxdGM 10+ year member]

you mean inline 4? v4s were never used in production cars. ive seen some chev ones made for sprint races

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

hmm just found out it does:

50-60 AMPS AT IDLE (800RPM)165 AMPS AT(1800+)

time for new alternator? just got it lol

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

i think im just gonna get a second battery to put in the front or back, thanks guys

 

[p3bumpin 10+ year member]

kinetik hc800 should be enough

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

haha should've never sold my hc800, i think i may get another hc1400 or the 2400 in case i upgrade again.

 

[Linkz 10+ year member]

I would say just a 2400 would be enough.

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

yea i just decided to go with the batcap 2000, it's only 35lbs compared to 69lbs for the hc2400

 

[Enellz 10+ year member]

Yeah the 2400 is a good battery, it's just so f*cking huge. Still though I love mine, does me good. But to answer your question I would get an hc 800 in the back and maybe put a 2400 up front if you can.

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

Yeah the 2400 is a good battery, it's just so f*cking huge. Still though I love mine, does me good. But to answer your question I would get an hc 800 in the back and maybe put a 2400 up front if you can.

i doubt the hc2400 fit in the front, if it did, it might've stopped my dimming by itself. im planning to fit another battery next to my front battery by replacing my air filter with an intake airfilter. hopefully the batcap 2000 will fit, if not, it's going in the back.

 

[uPsDdOWN 10+ year member]

A battery is ONLY going to help play time while the engine is off.

Where do you think the batt gets it's charge from? (Admitted the batteries chemical reaction increases it's charge slowly)

BUT....

the Alternator is still the issue here. You can have it re-wound to put out more.

It has three windings that pass by a stator, technically it is an 3 phase AC Generator, then the diodes convert it to single phase DC. Thusly, why upgrading the internals you will acheive a higher DC output, even at idle.

 

[Rashaddd 5,000+ posts]

A battery is ONLY going to help play time while the engine is off.
Where do you think the batt gets it's charge from? (Admitted the batteries chemical reaction increases it's charge slowly)

BUT....

the Alternator is still the issue here. You can have it re-wound to put out more.

It has three windings that pass by a stator, technically it is an 3 phase AC Generator, then the diodes convert it to single phase DC. Thusly, why upgrading the internals you will acheive a higher DC output, even at idle.

The battery(s) are what pick up the change on big power surges. In big systems, the alternator typically serves as a high current battery charger, not as the primary source of power for the amps. Adding more battery power means more reserve power and maximum current draw, which means voltage stays more stable during big bass hits.

An upgraded alternator is always good, but a battery can be much cheaper and more convenient and in many cases do the job.

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

The battery(s) are what pick up the change on big power surges. In big systems, the alternator typically serves as a high current battery charger, not as the primary source of power for the amps. Adding more battery power means more reserve power and maximum current draw, which means voltage stays more stable during big bass hits.
An upgraded alternator is always good, but a battery can be much cheaper and more convenient and in many cases do the job.

Not to mention he should have more than enough alternator to handle the power he is running assuming it is in fact working correctly.

 

[Rashaddd 5,000+ posts]

Not to mention he should have more than enough alternator to handle the power he is running assuming it is in fact working correctly.

yea I looked at that after i posted...160 amp alt? That should be enough to handle a 2-3kw system...I've got almost 2kw on like an 80 amp alt right now and one battery and no dimming...voltage stays pretty steady in the low 13's at full tilt at idle, sometimes dropping into low 12's

I'd get your alt checked out, and double check all your connections.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

I would see if the alt maker suggests or has a smaller pulley to help increase idle output.

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

ill have to check that alternator then

should i take it to a mechanic or do car audio places do the idle fix?

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

A mechanic would probably tell you that you don't need more power. They typically do not understand the needs of high power car audio systems. They will tell you to not turn it up that loud. LOL.

IMHO, you probably just need a second batt. FWIW, if you mix batteries, you run the risk of shorter life spans. If you are going to have multiple batts, they should be matching units. I would highly suggest an HC1400 for the trunk to match the HC1400 in the front. After that, you should be 100% god to go as long as the alt you have is working as it should.

 

[plyer3 10+ year member]

darn, Batcap 2000 is out of the question then. maybe i should sell the hc1400 and get two batcap 2000 lol. where can i get my alter check to see if it's supposed to be working right?

i dont really want a battery in the back, would it make a big difference to have 2 in the front rather than 1 in front and 1 in back?