Question on power demand

[SilverFX4 10+ year member]

Do you think that an Optima Yellow top and doing the Big 3 should be adequate to keep power to two 15" L7's and the KX2500.1? Or would I even need to change over from the stock battery? I've heard a lot of things from local people, but I know yall know far more about audio that they do. Thanks guys.

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[negativezeroz 5,000+ posts]

What's your alt rated at?

 

[SilverFX4 10+ year member]

130 If I am not mistaken.

 

[SilverFX4 10+ year member]

Bump, or should I get a second battery?

 

[phantom240 5,000+ posts]

i dont like using second batteries personally. they take up a lot of space and weigh a ton. I would say upgrade the batt under the hood, do the big three, and then see how your charging system handles it. If it still bogs and dims, get a bigger alt. thats how ppl usually do it.

 

[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

i dont like using second batteries personally. they take up a lot of space and weigh a ton. I would say upgrade the batt under the hood, do the big three, and then see how your charging system handles it. If it still bogs and dims, get a bigger alt. thats how ppl usually do it.

x2. in that order. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[PhatTonyDeMarco 5,000+ posts]

You might as well just get a bigger alt, there is no way a stock 130A will properly charge a KX2500.1, not going to happen...

Its possible you will even need a second battery on top of that, install it and find out.

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

a 2nd batt. isnt going to solve anything unless he plays his system with the car off. it'll just add to the strain. as said above, big 3, batt, then alt if still having problems.

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

i still don't know why people dump money in expensive batteries. if your alternator can't keep it charged, a battery does no good. adding a second battery to a weak electrical system only makes it worse

 

[SilverFX4 10+ year member]

Well, given everything goes correctly, I should have it in the shop to be installed friday. Anyone wanna place bets on if I'll need a new alternator? I'm pretty sure I'm going to get one, just want to see the severity of the situation. The only other electrical upgrades will be Big 3, haven't decided if I'm going to get a new battery or not.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

You'll need a new alt unless you never turn it up, but judging by the fact that you are installing 2 15s noted for their abilities in SPL rather than SQ and 2500W of power I don't expect that to be the case.

 

[knukonceptz 10+ year member]

A battery is a strain if it is weak, amperage draw comes in surges and spikes (since bass is not constant - neither is the demand for current) Unless you are doing DB Drag as you roll through the streets, a second battery will help maintain your voltage during spikes due its reserve capacity. Spikes are what cause most problems. And why do the large DB drag guys use batteries? they have limitied ALT output compared to demand. It is all about reserve capacity.

A battery is a strain if all you constantly do is listen to sweeps and the ALT can not keep up with the draw. Anytime there is no large current draw - your ALT is recharging you batteries. That means between beats, between commercials, between tracks, reloading the changer, talking on your cell, ordering taco bell...etc.... unless you have a constant draw 24/7 a second battery is helpful.

While I am not saying you should not get a new ALT - I am saying two same sized batteries of equal charge and having a properly wired and working charging system, will work fine for 90% of systems out there

 

[headless 10+ year member]

New alt first, more batts second. I'm still kicking myself for buying my yellowtop instead of just replacing the alternator...but back when i got it i didn't know any better.

 

[SilverFX4 10+ year member]

Does anyone know where I can find an alternator that would suit my application? (It's a 2003 Ford F-150 w/ 5.4 L V8)