Question about running a Dual Battery System...

[Mr. Black 10+ year member]

I am getting ready to upgrade my system with a new RF T10001BD & T3002 in my F-150. I've decided to go to a dual battery system. I plan on running 1/0 cable for all my power and grounds with (2) new yellow top Optima batteries (with one being dedicated stricly for the amps). My question is can I simply run one 1/0 cable from the alternator to each battery for the charging lines? The alternator puts out 120 amp so I am hoping it will do the trick. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

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[PhatTonyDeMarco 5,000+ posts]

I think you might be allright with a single battery, just do the Big Three in 0 awg and throw a yellow top under the hood.

 

[Mr. Black 10+ year member]

I think you might be allright with a single battery, just do the Big Three in 0 awg and throw a yellow top under the hood.

I suppose I could try it with one battery first. Based on the new amps birth sheets my total wattage being drawn will 1891. I was simply tired of always having my lights dim at high levels. Although a large portion of this was most likely attributed to my old inefficent Rf punch 100 & 250X. Thanks

 

[PhatTonyDeMarco 5,000+ posts]

Hmm... I didnt realize that amp put out that much power.. You might want to look into a high output altenator then, 2200+ watts is a lot for a stock alt, and if it cant handle that load then a second battery will only put a bigger strain on it.

 

[Mr. Black 10+ year member]

Hmm... I didnt realize that amp put out that much power.. You might want to look into a high output altenator then, 2200+ watts is a lot for a stock alt, and if it cant handle that load then a second battery will only put a bigger strain on it.

The T3002 birthed 203 X2 @ 4 ohms while the T10001bd was 1485 @ 1 ohm = total of 1891. I am looking at getting my alternator re-winded. How much amperage do think would be necessary?

 

[forbidden 10+ year member]

Do not rewind the alternator. All this will do is lead to a catastrophic failure down the road (usually the middle of nowhere when it is - 40C). Cramming more windings into the same case results in double the heat being generated which of course leads to the failure. Attack the alternator if you need to. If so then it is a custom build job that you will need. I would go with the dual battery setup and proper power / ground wiring as you have indicated that you want to do. There is no need to replace the factory battery with an Optima, if you are going to be replacing your batteries, get an Exide Orbital. We have many sources here in Canada to ask questions like this, my advice further to the advice I have given is to register on http://www.canadiancaraudio.com and ask questions that we Canadians can answer to you. Not that this is a bad site at all, but the US market knows nothing about Canadian pricing, availability, warranty issues, customs and brokerage etc... All things that we Canadians have to consider every day.

 

[PhatTonyDeMarco 5,000+ posts]

Do not rewind the alternator. All this will do is lead to a catastrophic failure down the road (usually the middle of nowhere when it is - 40C). Cramming more windings into the same case results in double the heat being generated which of course leads to the failure. Attack the alternator if you need to. If so then it is a custom build job that you will need. I would go with the dual battery setup and proper power / ground wiring as you have indicated that you want to do. There is no need to replace the factory battery with an Optima, if you are going to be replacing your batteries, get an Exide Orbital. We have many sources here in Canada to ask questions like this, my advice further to the advice I have given is to register on http://www.canadiancaraudio.com and ask questions that we Canadians can answer to you. Not that this is a bad site at all, but the US market knows nothing about Canadian pricing, availability, warranty issues, customs and brokerage etc... All things that we Canadians have to consider every day.

Sounds rough in Canada... We should have a charity for you underprivelaged Canadians

 

[rocky 59 5,000+ posts]

ya called free health care lol

 

[jrpro130 10+ year member]

ya called free health care lol

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/driving.gif.c4dead4599dda895032b63e51f52b126.gif to canada

 

[Mr. Black 10+ year member]

Do not rewind the alternator. All this will do is lead to a catastrophic failure down the road (usually the middle of nowhere when it is - 40C). Cramming more windings into the same case results in double the heat being generated which of course leads to the failure. Attack the alternator if you need to. If so then it is a custom build job that you will need. I would go with the dual battery setup and proper power / ground wiring as you have indicated that you want to do. There is no need to replace the factory battery with an Optima, if you are going to be replacing your batteries, get an Exide Orbital. We have many sources here in Canada to ask questions like this, my advice further to the advice I have given is to register on http://www.canadiancaraudio.com and ask questions that we Canadians can answer to you. Not that this is a bad site at all, but the US market knows nothing about Canadian pricing, availability, warranty issues, customs and brokerage etc... All things that we Canadians have to consider every day.

Thanks for the info. I checked out the site and found a guy in Ontario who will build me a new 250 amp alternator. Picked up some new CDT HD-642's as well so I am quite excited to get everything sound deadened & installed. My '77 F-150 should be really pumpin...

 

[knukonceptz 10+ year member]

If/When you add a second batttery, no need for to wires from the ALT, just connect the second battery in the rear like you would an amp (main power wire from front Batt to Rear Batt Pos. Terminal) Then run you amp's power/ground off the rear battery. I recommend the second battery over the ALT.

 

[revrider1 5,000+ posts]

If/When you add a second batttery, no need for to wires from the ALT, just connect the second battery in the rear like you would an amp (main power wire from front Batt to Rear Batt Pos. Terminal) Then run you amp's power/ground off the rear battery. I recommend the second battery over the ALT.

Dont you need a battery Isolator for this:eyebrow: .

 

[knukonceptz 10+ year member]

Dont you need a battery Isolator for this:eyebrow: .

Nope, an isolator is worthless to us, UNLESS your only goal is to sit with the car off and the stereo on. Otherwise its a waste, it consumes power (taking away from your amps) requires more connections & cable (which can go bad or corrode = higher resistance)

Adding a second battery to your car with an isolator defeats the benefits of the added battery to the system (more reserve on hand)

 

[revrider1 5,000+ posts]

So what do you do when the battery in the trunk dies:eyebrow: .

 

[Alexwaves 10+ year member]

this is a very interesting read i must say...