hey i recently bought a red top optima battery to power my 800W audiobahn amp and i can tell a slight dimming in my lights when it hits hard. i was just wondering how much it would help to change the amp/ battery wiring to 4 gauge. its stock now.. thanks
Replies (5)
Swez on 12/15/2003 06:14:55
That should help if you upgrade the power wire/gnd to amp to #4 gage.
Also, consider upgrading stock wires between ALT/BAT, BAT/GND and GND strap to engine block.
Stock is usually #8 or #6 gage wiring for above. However, at idle, the engine RPM is low and so is output from the ALT. As the engine RPM goes up, so will power output from ALT. If you do have light dimming at idle only, consider changing the ALT pully to a smaller one. This will net higher ALT output at low engine speeds.
NOTE: Most stock ALTs will give best output performance between 1500 - 2500 RPM. (engine speed) By changing the pully to a smaller diameter one, the engine RPM can be lower (800-1000 RPM) and the ALT will put out more power as it spins faster.
Swez
PS This Red Top... what is the CCA rating on that battery? (800 CCA or higher is best for larger amps. The Red Top is designed for starter and general purpose applications. Is best to yank out the stock BAT (typically ~600 CCA) and replace with a higher CCA rated BAT.
Not a good idea to just add a 2nd battery to the charging system if you only have a low output ALT. (75A., OR LESS) This will only put more strain on your charging system and shorten the life of the stock ALT.
FYI: CCA means COLD CRANKING AMPS rating of the battery
Tray on 12/15/2003 16:08:42
Yeah, what he said.
Did you cheat Swez.
Here's the info for the Red Tops. They are really rock solid batteries from my experience too. http://www.optimabatteries.com/products/pdf/34.pdf
Oh yeah, forgot to mention that if you compare CCA on the Red (800) to that of the Yellow, (750), you may be intrigued enough to check out the Red Top. And with the economical advantage as well, it's a pretty good addition to your vehicle.
uochronos on 12/15/2003 16:39:51
Umm the yellow tops go all the way up to 900cca with 1125ca... thats what i'm getting for my truck. the 750cca yellow top is one of the smallest they make if not the smallest.
cplkittle on 12/15/2003 18:51:22
Just put a red top in the Kia, left the lights on at the drug store earlier today for 10 minutes and the battery was toast (525cca).
not much to begin with. anyway, I go the 75/35 red top (720cca), that was my only choice due to size limitations. I am really impressed with it, I can turn my lights on high beam and crank the car, and the lights barely dim.
I agree with Swez, upgrading the wires will make a difference, anything you do to the battery positive, also do to the negative ie 4gauge power upgrade=4gauge ground upgrade.
Swez on 12/16/2003 11:27:59
Tray:
Did I cheat? At what???... hehe Don't think so... dunno?
Am trying to cheat on this guys' issue of light dimming and save him a few bucks a bit. Adding a new HO ALT gets pretty expensive in many cases, so yes... am trying to cheat a bit here is all.
Swez
Replies (5)
Swez on 12/15/2003 06:14:55
That should help if you upgrade the power wire/gnd to amp to #4 gage.
Also, consider upgrading stock wires between ALT/BAT, BAT/GND and GND strap to engine block.
Stock is usually #8 or #6 gage wiring for above. However, at idle, the engine RPM is low and so is output from the ALT. As the engine RPM goes up, so will power output from ALT. If you do have light dimming at idle only, consider changing the ALT pully to a smaller one. This will net higher ALT output at low engine speeds.
NOTE: Most stock ALTs will give best output performance between 1500 - 2500 RPM. (engine speed) By changing the pully to a smaller diameter one, the engine RPM can be lower (800-1000 RPM) and the ALT will put out more power as it spins faster.
Swez
PS This Red Top... what is the CCA rating on that battery? (800 CCA or higher is best for larger amps. The Red Top is designed for starter and general purpose applications. Is best to yank out the stock BAT (typically ~600 CCA) and replace with a higher CCA rated BAT.
Not a good idea to just add a 2nd battery to the charging system if you only have a low output ALT. (75A., OR LESS) This will only put more strain on your charging system and shorten the life of the stock ALT.
FYI: CCA means COLD CRANKING AMPS rating of the battery
Tray on 12/15/2003 16:08:42
Yeah, what he said.
Did you cheat Swez.
Here's the info for the Red Tops. They are really rock solid batteries from my experience too. http://www.optimabatteries.com/products/pdf/34.pdf
Oh yeah, forgot to mention that if you compare CCA on the Red (800) to that of the Yellow, (750), you may be intrigued enough to check out the Red Top. And with the economical advantage as well, it's a pretty good addition to your vehicle.
uochronos on 12/15/2003 16:39:51
Umm the yellow tops go all the way up to 900cca with 1125ca... thats what i'm getting for my truck. the 750cca yellow top is one of the smallest they make if not the smallest.
cplkittle on 12/15/2003 18:51:22
Just put a red top in the Kia, left the lights on at the drug store earlier today for 10 minutes and the battery was toast (525cca).
not much to begin with. anyway, I go the 75/35 red top (720cca), that was my only choice due to size limitations. I am really impressed with it, I can turn my lights on high beam and crank the car, and the lights barely dim.
I agree with Swez, upgrading the wires will make a difference, anything you do to the battery positive, also do to the negative ie 4gauge power upgrade=4gauge ground upgrade.
Swez on 12/16/2003 11:27:59
Tray:
Did I cheat? At what???... hehe Don't think so... dunno?
Am trying to cheat on this guys' issue of light dimming and save him a few bucks a bit. Adding a new HO ALT gets pretty expensive in many cases, so yes... am trying to cheat a bit here is all.
Swez
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