ok lets make this the official "LACK OF POWER THREAD"

[d audio 450 10+ year member]

ok there are tons and tons of threads posted on the topic of alternators/capacitors/batteries. I didnt wanna just post another thread asking the same question (although essentially thats what im doing reguardless) but if anyone can help and explain the best way to make use of extra batteries, what would be the best battery to get, a way to make caps beneficial, or anything in general to help draw more power.

Any help will be greatly appreciated by me if not other people too.

-pat

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[jbl_marshall21 10+ year member]

the only thing i don't understand is how people hook up yellowtops. do they still hook that up to the alt or not? or do u just have the power wire from the yellow to the sub? who knows

 

[spyd3r 10+ year member]

There's a few ways in adding a second battery.

If you have a big enough alternator you could just run two deep cycle batteries wired up in parallel. But that has little benefits.

Another option is to run a regular engine starting battery under the hood and then use a dedicated deep cycle battery with a regulator in the circuit. ( again wired in parallel, except the regulator is wired in series between the primary battery and your deep cycled one.)

The second is my favorite because it gives you the most benfits. Your able to relieve your primary battery any duties of powering the amplifiers when the alternator is turned off. You can completely drain the second battery and still have a battery that will start your engine for charging the drained one.

But adding a second battery is pointless for most people. You listen to your stereo while the car is running most of the time anyway........so unless you like listening to music in your car while the engine is off.......a second battery might be a good idea.

As for capacitors................

Most of the caps sold by RF....Stinger...etc are crap. If you need large bursts of current for whatever reason..............then you should look into some alumapro caps if any. They make some decently sized capacitors (10-50 farads) that can do wonders if used properly.

All of this is assuming you have a capable enough charging system for all this. So instead of spending that $100 - $500 on batteries and capacitors....get a new or rewound alternator for your car. And most of the time if people buy amps with sensiblilty.....(under 1000W totoal) your stock alternator should be able to handle all the power duties w/o having to buy expensive capacitors and additional batteries.

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

thanx spyd3r! u helped clear up some of the more specifif stuff for me! My plan...

2 avionixx 1200.2's

200 amp HO custom built alternator

0/1 guage wiring throughout/ alternator rewire

my other plan for the above was to buy one yellow top for the rear. I already have a red top under the hood...but i'd go with your second option and use an isolator for the yellow top in the rear. Good idea? I mean...it'd only be like $100 more for the yellow top...and would i need it with that electrical system and that much power? thanx, peace

NG

 

[d audio 450 10+ year member]

Another option is to run a regular engine starting battery under the hood and then use a dedicated deep cycle battery with a regulator in the circuit. ( again wired in parallel, except the regulator is wired in series between the primary battery and your deep cycled one.)

regulator? u mean isolator? like a giant diode?

-pat

 

[n0ftInc 10+ year member]

When your car is idle, your alt produces less amps.. Correct..? So what heppens when your idle and you have your system poundin'..? Could you just hook up some big amps (Two Orion 2500Ds putting out 2500+wts) to just a few Yellow Tops, or how does the Alt fit into the whole setup..? I don't want to put a huge amount into an Alt or 2 if I don't need to.. Could Someone clarify all this for me..? I'm a little confused.. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

When your car is idle, your alt produces less amps.. Correct..? So what heppens when your idle and you have your system poundin'..? Could you just hook up some big amps (Two Orion 2500Ds putting out 2500+wts) to just a few Yellow Tops, or how does the Alt fit into the whole setup..? I don't want to put a huge amount into an Alt or 2 if I don't need to.. Could Someone clarify all this for me..? I'm a little confused.. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

once your car is started, the alternator handles the electricity for the entire car. the battery is there to start your car. BUT, when the alternator isn't producing enough to keep up with your load...it'll tap into the battery...that i why you see dimmage and voltage drops. SO, get a good HO (high output) alternator...and then this is where i'm still deciding...i'll prolly end up getting one yellow top for the rear to wire up my 2 amps to. peace

NG

 

[n0ftInc 10+ year member]

So you could just run your amps off a couple stand-alone Yellows, with no Alt at all..?

Wait.. Wouldn't that just drain the battery..? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

 

[kingpin_jeffie 10+ year member]

Your battery has no ability to charge itself this is why you have an alt.