Trunk battery vs. HO alternator

[JayRich 10+ year member]

These may help

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-2002-Honda-Accord-Acura-CL-4-cyl-165Amps-Alternator_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem53db88f343QQitemZ360165471043QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Alternator-1998-2002-Honda-Accord-4cly-2-3Eng-170amps_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem53dcf8797cQQitemZ360189557116QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[JayRich 10+ year member]

or if your on a tight budget get this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-ACCORD-ACURA-ALTERNATOR-130A-CHROME-97-98-99-02_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQhashZitem1e58275fbcQQitemZ130327994300QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I got this 3 years ago and has worked great in my car since

 

[smoka 10+ year member]

The real problem is maintaining 14v. Amps are much more efficient at 14v than at 12v. They put out more power there etc. A battery does not discharge at 14v. It is charging at that voltage. No matter who tells you otherwise, they are dead wrong. So, a battery in the back will prevent your system from dropping below 12v for a while, but it is also a parasitic drain on the alternator. The more current you draw from it, the more current it draws from the alternator when the alt is able to raise the voltage back up.
All in all, there is no replacement or alternative to a high output alternator. Batteries are recommended on this site as a bandaid because a lot of people here are confused about efficiency etc. The attitude on this site is: "find a sub that can hold a million watts because more watts equal deebeez! Find an amp that puts out a bajillion watts to power the sub! Leave stock alt, do the big three, add a battery to the back and call it a day." Then they act like they know what they are talking about.

If you have to run a stock alt, you need to find the most efficient subs you can. Then find the most efficient amp you can. Wire your vehicle for minimum resisitance.

So, you are saying that your batteries are not being discharged unless you drop below 13V?

That can easily be proven wrong.

I think the main problem with the alt vs batt arguement is that the alt capacity is a major factor.

My truck has a 130a stock alt, so obviously I will have different results than someone who has a civic with a 60 or 70a alt.

Nobody asks what size alt they have we just jump to one side or the other.

 

[Stalin-ohaulic]

So, you are saying that your batteries are not being discharged unless you drop below 13V?
That can easily be proven wrong.

Then prove it wrong. This is not the first time you've lied about this. You made the claim, now back it up.

 

[99grandprixGT 5,000+ posts]

i figured eventually im going to get both, so i saved up for both and now i got my HO alt sitting in my closet untill i got to my install.

 

[smoka 10+ year member]

Then prove it wrong. This is not the first time you've lied about this. You made the claim, now back it up.

I have a 130a stock alt and an AQ2200 running to a pair of RE SE's. With only my stock starting batt my voltage would drop to 12.3-12.5v. I added 2 large marine batts and removed my front batt. Now my voltage drops to 13.2-13.4v. So with my added batt capacity I no longer ever drop below 13v. I gained around 1v less voltage drop by just adding batts.

According to what you posted. Since I now never drop below 13v, then I shouldn't need the batts.

Upgrading my alt would be a waste of money in my circumstances.

 

[Bobby322 10+ year member]

It seems like people on this forum over do their electrical. People ask about running stock and every says GET 2 BATTERIES AND BIG 3 AND MAYBE A NEW ALT. Well that may help alot for comps but for just daily I dont think its that necessary. IMO if you just add another good battery in the back you'll be fine for say 3000w and under. Big 3 and another batt should be fine. No need to go all out and get another battery for the front plus all this 1/0, and a new alt for some setups on here. Just my opinion. I ran 2400w on stock electrical and just another battery in the back and i stayed above 12v sometimes in the 11s.

 

[tRiGgEr 5,000+ posts]

All U Need Is A Cap!

 

[Savag3 10+ year member]

how about 7kilowatts , what kind of electrical upgrades ? im thinking like 4 caps

 

[7ender 10+ year member]

It seems like people on this forum over do their electrical. People ask about running stock and every says GET 2 BATTERIES AND BIG 3 AND MAYBE A NEW ALT. Well that may help alot for comps but for just daily I dont think its that necessary. IMO if you just add another good battery in the back you'll be fine for say 3000w and under. Big 3 and another batt should be fine. No need to go all out and get another battery for the front plus all this 1/0, and a new alt for some setups on here. Just my opinion. I ran 2400w on stock electrical and just another battery in the back and i stayed above 12v sometimes in the 11s.

Yeah, but i'm dropping to 11.0 with headlights and ac on (which is a common setting for me), so I could very easily damage my equipment (amp/battery).

 

[dafobbishon3 10+ year member]

sounds like my 60 amp alt and a decent yellow top and a big 3 in 1/0 would be good for my daily of 2k.

 

[Bobby322 10+ year member]

Im running about the same power as you, and I have no problems. Its your back battery, its small. I have a 135ah and u have a 20ah.

 

[dafobbishon3 10+ year member]

so hopefully, if i find a batt that does a good 100ah at least, and my big three, i should have no problem?

 

[Stalin-ohaulic]

I have a 130a stock alt and an AQ2200 running to a pair of RE SE's. With only my stock starting batt my voltage would drop to 12.3-12.5v. I added 2 large marine batts and removed my front batt. Now my voltage drops to 13.2-13.4v. So with my added batt capacity I no longer ever drop below 13v. I gained around 1v less voltage drop by just adding batts.
According to what you posted. Since I now never drop below 13v, then I shouldn't need the batts.

Upgrading my alt would be a waste of money in my circumstances.

Sir, I respectfully disagree with you. You have not proven anything. You merely made a claim that goes against sound logic. Please provide some sort of evidence other than your claim.

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

so i have overdone my electrical??? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif