New Alt or Add Battery?

[Qbenjamin 10+ year member]

I am currently running a JL 1000/1 to my sub and a JL 300/4 to the tweets. I am seeing my voltage drop as low as 10.9v while idle and sometimes driving. I have previously had a bad experience with a HO alt constantly dropping voltage while idle. I do not want to add a temporary fix to my setup, as I am done swapping out equipment. My lights dim pretty good during the day, and is very noticeable at night. I am thinking about buying an HC2400 to put under the hood from Xplorerdonon22's for $250. I know that the alt is gonna hit me for at least $300. Would I be better off just buying the battery (Kinetik HC2400) and putting it under the hood and taking my Yellow top and putting it in the trunk, or should I just take my chances on the new alt from Iraggi or Excessive Amperage?

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[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

I run an SVR up front and Deka in the rear and ran a 1500D at .75, plus comp & coax amps off the stock 105amp alt for a month or so with no problems. Very little dimming at full tilt with AC & lights on. So I'd go 2400 in the rear with your amps hooked to that, or a Deka as they're a lot cheaper.

I had EA put a smaller pulley on my alt, so I get rock steady voltage at idle. Iraggi also offers that.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

if you give the battery time to charge up off the alt from time to time it shouldnt be too big of an issue (meaning dont always have the volume 70%+)

 

[Qbenjamin 10+ year member]

if you give the battery time to charge up off the alt from time to time it shouldnt be too big of an issue (meaning dont always have the volume 70%+)

I play my H/U @ 17-21 out of 40 volume level. I am not turning it up more than 50% most of the time.

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

Better alt > another battery

 

[Grinder1989 5,000+ posts]

From what I learned, you should upgrade the battery because if you don't have a good charge/discharge rate, having a bigger alt will do nothing for you.

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

From what I learned, you should upgrade the battery because if you don't have a good charge/discharge rate, having a bigger alt will do nothing for you.

Well if you have a good battery and a poor alt you're pretty much screwed once that battery has completely discharged from current overdraw. A alternator is the heart of the electrical system it is much more important.

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

your dropping to 10.9 volts off a 1000w amp?

what size alt you got right now

 

[Grinder1989 5,000+ posts]

Well if you have a good battery and a poor alt you're pretty much screwed once that battery has completely discharged from current overdraw. A alternator is the heart of the electrical system it is much more important.

That is also true. But someone like me who has a good sized alt needs to worry about a good battery. Its best to have a good balance.

 

[Qbenjamin 10+ year member]

your dropping to 10.9 volts off a 1000w amp?
what size alt you got right now

Stock alt is 105amp. I am actually running about 1300w. I have no voltage drops when running my 300/4 alone. I am only running tweets off of the smaller amp.

 

[adas Pro Seller]

With a 105a alt, you shouldn't have a problem with 1300w. I say battery, and Big 3 for sure if you haven't already. Alt later if a 2400 doesn't fix the problem.

I have a HC2400 and a SP1000 running off my 120a stock alt, running ~3000w with voltage staying above 12v

.....if your dimming THAT BAD with a 1000/1, IMO wiring is more your problem:eyebrow:

 

[WiCKeD 5.9L 10+ year member]

Get a non-eBay HO alternator. I think whatever you do, you will also need a new battery.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

With a 105a alt, you shouldn't have a problem with 1300w. I say battery, and Big 3 for sure if you haven't already. Alt later if a 2400 doesn't fix the problem.
I have a HC2400 and a SP1000 running off my 120a stock alt, running ~3000w with voltage staying above 12v

.....if your dimming THAT BAD with a 1000/1, IMO wiring is more your problem:eyebrow:

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wow.gif.23d729408e9177caa2a0ed6a2ba6588e.gif

I was running 1200 watts on a 105A alt and the dimming was terrible, even after the big 3 and a yellow top under the hood. I upgraded to a 200A alt and the dimming **** near subsided. After I threw the stock batt back under the hood and the yellow top in the trunk I don't have problems at all. But to say 1300 watts would run off of a 105 alt is a bit ridiculous. I know for a fact you need more power than that. By the time I upgraded my alt the inside of the old one was burnt to hell and about to just die totally. I would recommend getting the bigger alt. Even if the dimming isn't horrible, your probably doing a shit load of damage to your alt and it's just gunna die on you sooner rather than later.

so with that said I would say leave the yellow top under the hood and put the money towards a new bigger alt. Check out KnuKonceptz, I can vouch for them, their alts are nice.

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

That is also true. But someone like me who has a good sized alt needs to worry about a good battery. Its best to have a good balance.

Not to be a dick, but 140 isn't that big mang.

 

[Grinder1989 5,000+ posts]

Not to be a dick, but 140 isn't that big mang.

Oh trust me I know. Stock was 78 amp. I knew that wouldn't cut it so I bought a 140 amp for $125 from Summit Racing. I didn't have the money to buy a nice alt //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif But I'm going to soon. My battery isn't all that great either but I'm stuck with what I got for now. But, not to be a dick, I don't give a **** what you think. And I do mean that in a nice way. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif