The person who gave me the basic info on installing stereo equipment told me of a way to install a second battery in the trunk and having it wired to the altenator so that is is recharged when the car is running. Is there a way to do this and also not drain the main battery? Is this hook up a myth because all of the audio stores I ask don't seem to understand or know what I'm talking about?
Replies (5)
uochronos on 03/4/2004 15:38:28
this can be done but you need to isolate the second battery not 100% sure how this is done but i'm sure someone here well. although if your adding the second battery to stop bad dimming or what not then chances are your problem would be better fixed with a bigger alternator.
cplkittle on 03/4/2004 17:11:10
If you add a battery, the recommended procedure is to replace the existing battery with the exact same battery that you are adding. Otherwise, as you mentioned, it will drain the new battery as the old battery has lost some capacity. Adding a deep cell or other battery with more CCAs can damage the existing battery as well.
The other method is to run your stereo equiptment from a seperate alternator and keep it isolated as Unchronos mentioned.
However (again as Unchronos mentioned), a higher output alternator may solve your problems. Since a good deep cell battery (optimus, stinger) with good CCAs (1000 to 1400) will cost you around $200, a HO alternater is not much more expensive if not the same price.
If you are serious about car audio and plan to hook up some major power hungry amps, I would recommend both the alt and the deep cell battery. This will prevent almost any problem you may encounter in the future and eliminate the need for caps.
Calculate up the amount of amps you need for your system (add the fuse ratings together) then add the current output of your existing alternator. This will be the approximate size of alt you need. multiply that number by 4 or 5 and that would be the approximate size of the battery cold cranking amps you need. On batteries, the bigger the better. (one big one is cheaper than 2 small ones)
swez on 03/4/2004 23:47:40
Agreed... there are charging devices that are called battery charging "Isolators" These allow the ALT to charge the primary battery first, then refill the secondary battery, independent of the primary battery. It will switch charging modes back and forth as charging needs change.
Deep cycle is best for audio gear. It will take may charge cycles that regular lead acid batteries cannot. The CCA rating depends on the amps you plan to run of the DC battery.
More details on amps and charging system ability would be most helpful.
Swez
Noid on 03/16/2004 13:54:24
Two questions now....
Where do I find better altenators? I've done a search online and all I come up with is altenators that meet factory specs.
And where do I find the "Isolators"? Your average tech. hasn't heard of them. Do I need to visit an Electrician's Store for them?
swez on 03/16/2004 14:11:48
Battery Isolators can be found in google search.
Here is one I did find:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=1028&catalogId=10101&storeId=10101&langId=-1&TID=100&afsrc=1
Google page: http://www.nextag.com/buyer/outpdir.jsp?nxtg=70df88_8D5ED903477FD721&doSearch=y&node=2700000&dosearch=y&search=battery+isolator
HO ATL's from Stinger, Ohio Generator are best for high current amp installs where 200A output or more is required. Very expensive too!
Swez
Replies (5)
uochronos on 03/4/2004 15:38:28
this can be done but you need to isolate the second battery not 100% sure how this is done but i'm sure someone here well. although if your adding the second battery to stop bad dimming or what not then chances are your problem would be better fixed with a bigger alternator.
cplkittle on 03/4/2004 17:11:10
If you add a battery, the recommended procedure is to replace the existing battery with the exact same battery that you are adding. Otherwise, as you mentioned, it will drain the new battery as the old battery has lost some capacity. Adding a deep cell or other battery with more CCAs can damage the existing battery as well.
The other method is to run your stereo equiptment from a seperate alternator and keep it isolated as Unchronos mentioned.
However (again as Unchronos mentioned), a higher output alternator may solve your problems. Since a good deep cell battery (optimus, stinger) with good CCAs (1000 to 1400) will cost you around $200, a HO alternater is not much more expensive if not the same price.
If you are serious about car audio and plan to hook up some major power hungry amps, I would recommend both the alt and the deep cell battery. This will prevent almost any problem you may encounter in the future and eliminate the need for caps.
Calculate up the amount of amps you need for your system (add the fuse ratings together) then add the current output of your existing alternator. This will be the approximate size of alt you need. multiply that number by 4 or 5 and that would be the approximate size of the battery cold cranking amps you need. On batteries, the bigger the better. (one big one is cheaper than 2 small ones)
swez on 03/4/2004 23:47:40
Agreed... there are charging devices that are called battery charging "Isolators" These allow the ALT to charge the primary battery first, then refill the secondary battery, independent of the primary battery. It will switch charging modes back and forth as charging needs change.
Deep cycle is best for audio gear. It will take may charge cycles that regular lead acid batteries cannot. The CCA rating depends on the amps you plan to run of the DC battery.
More details on amps and charging system ability would be most helpful.
Swez
Noid on 03/16/2004 13:54:24
Two questions now....
Where do I find better altenators? I've done a search online and all I come up with is altenators that meet factory specs.
And where do I find the "Isolators"? Your average tech. hasn't heard of them. Do I need to visit an Electrician's Store for them?
swez on 03/16/2004 14:11:48
Battery Isolators can be found in google search.
Here is one I did find:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=1028&catalogId=10101&storeId=10101&langId=-1&TID=100&afsrc=1
Google page: http://www.nextag.com/buyer/outpdir.jsp?nxtg=70df88_8D5ED903477FD721&doSearch=y&node=2700000&dosearch=y&search=battery+isolator
HO ATL's from Stinger, Ohio Generator are best for high current amp installs where 200A output or more is required. Very expensive too!
Swez
Copyright ClubKnowledge 2009 * All Rights Reserved
