What to upgrade: battery or alternator?

[chargers 10+ year member]

Short and simple.

I only plan to run 800 watt setups from now on.

My electrical is stock and I'm sure it is slightly drained because the music is noticably quieter. My dmm is not working right now so I can't check the voltage on the battery or alternator.

Which upgrade should I do?

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[dleccord 5,000+ posts]

1. Run a 1/0 gauge to the back and do the Big 3

2. New Battery

Thats what I would do.

 

[chargers 10+ year member]

I'm thinking I'm just going to do the battery first.. kind of a pointless thread.

Should I get a red top or yellow top? I don't plan on listening to music with the engine off.. although it would be useful..I'm searching right now.. can't really make a decision for my standpoint.

 

[AJ²06 5,000+ posts]

And when mooo money comes... Alt... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[dleccord 5,000+ posts]

but hes only gonna run 800watt setups from here on out though... kinda money down the drain, not saying its not worth it but with that money you can use it for something else like an eq or whatever.

 

[AJ²06 5,000+ posts]

but hes only gonna run 800watt setups from here on out though... kinda money down the drain, not saying its not worth it but with that money you can use it for something else like an eq or whatever.

Tru.. but expandibility my friend. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif Noo dont do the alt unless u want a crazy systemor if the one u have now dies. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/up2something.gif.dd110ecf3ae4b76050d87598f2f8de7c.gif

 

[jacka 10+ year member]

i would do what dleccord suggested. if youre deciding between red and yellow, get yellow.

 

[chargers 10+ year member]

i would do what dleccord suggested. if youre deciding between red and yellow, get yellow.

This is exactly what I wanted to hear (buy a yellow top over an alternator).. and exactly what I want to do.

With 800 watts and a stock electrical, does anybody think I should NOT do this?

 

[jacka 10+ year member]

how big is your alternator?

 

[chargers 10+ year member]

how big is your alternator?

Stock alternator in a 2002 civic. I'm sure it's weak, but I have no idea how many amps.

By the way.. I'm suprised there are 5 people viewing this topic. It's 1:07 in the morning here.

 

[chargers 10+ year member]

Just searched and found.. the alternator is 70 amps.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3102/is_7_124/ai_n14925662

 

[chargers 10+ year member]

ttt

 

[klepto 10+ year member]

Correct me if im wrong, but for a 800w system wont the Big 3 be sufficient?

 

[phyphoestilic 5,000+ posts]

I think big 3 would be fine, try that. If it doesnt work than upgrade ur battery. I go with a redtop since ur using it as ur start up battery too and not really running that much power, but nothing wrong with a yellow top if u got that extra money.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

800 watts at 12-14volts is approx 60amps being pulled right there, and thats assuming the amplifiers are 100% efficient, which they aren't. A 70 amp alt is pretty small, even for that sized system. Im not saying change the alt definitely, but dont assume you wont need to just because its 'only' a 800watt system.