Need to Clarify some electrical work

[bmoney9 10+ year member]

Hey guys,

Ok in my 99 Honda Accord LX I will be running a Sundown 100.4 with the pioneer premier components, and a Sundown 1500d with a 12" FI BL. So Far my upgrades for electrical are just a Kinetik HC1800 under the hood and Big 3. Still have the stock alternator of about 90 amps I believe.

Currently my setup is the Sundown 100.4 and the one component set with the HC1800 and Big 3 done. Voltage is fine. It rests at 14.1 when playing at pretty much full tilt.

When I add my Sundown 1500d and FI BL, I know I will not have enough power to cover everything and will get voltage drops. So,

I was going to add my original interstate battery in the front, then put the HC1800 in the trunk. With that battery in and the HC1800 in the trunk will my alternator have enough juice to successfully charge both batteries?

I also see that some people have used an isolator for the battery in the trunk. Should I do this or is this not necessary?

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[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

Would have to check it. If the rear battery is getting drained (lower resting voltage over time) then you need to turn down the system some to help the back battery bulk charge. If the kinetik is resting at under 12.7 or under charge it up.

 

[bmoney9 10+ year member]

Ok cool thanks audiolife. For some reason I knew you were going to comment on this. Guess you like electrical type problems. Basically you're saying do trial and error to see if I will need a high output alternator.

 

[michaellane 5,000+ posts]

on ebay you can actually score a nice HO alt like 160amps for your car for like 115 shipped brand new. its like a no name alt but i know a few people off here running them with zero problems

 

[bmoney9 10+ year member]

on ebay you can actually score a nice HO alt like 160amps for your car for like 115 shipped brand new. its like a no name alt but i know a few people off here running them with zero problems

Do you happen to know the name/brand of it? I wouldn't mind dropping that type of money for a HO that is efficient for its price. My car is also the sedan. I don't think I mentioned that.

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

just installing an H.O. alt won't solve all of your problems. Honda uses an Electronic Load Detector to control the output of the alternator. Take this into consideration, as the ELD tells the PCM to turn off the alternator if the ignition system current draw is low. The voltage will drop to 12.8V then drop more when the stereo is on - all while driving. Your car is doing this now, you just haven't noticed it. Do you have a volt meter that is visible from the driver's seat?

for a detailed description of how the ELD works, and a method to bypass it - see my modifications here:

Honda Electrical Load Detection (ELD) Bypass - Honda Accord Forum - Honda Accord Enthusiast Forums

and for my H.O. alt upgrade, see here:

H.O. Alternator replacement and big 3 wiring - Honda Accord Forum - Honda Accord Enthusiast Forums

I got a 140A H.O. alt for my 2001 V6 Accord from McGowan Alternator and Starter (ebay store) for $150. That was as cheap as I'd go. Less than that and you won't get rated output. The alt needs to have an upgraded stator, regulator, and rectifier. Irragi has nice alternators as well, for a bit more.

 

[ovalevader 10+ year member]

Manual transmission ftw... I can control my ELD with the gear shift.