I want a secondary battery to bring power to my audio amplifiers, the radio from the main supply, and the amplifier in the other battery, and maybe to some lights, but I don't think that's necessary, even though I want to get some words from yall in this matter. Also, I would love to get some loud speakers disposition for a pick up, single cab like mine, it's kindda hard to achieve a good sound in one of those, but not imposible I think; and maybe some examples for audio in the back, I'm not sure if that's a good idea, but it kindda seduces me...
what yall think?
If you are getting a second battery, I would suggest upgrading your alternator also.
One thing I have been thinking of doing is replacing my satandard car battery with an old truck battery, which you can generally pick up for cheap or free. A dead one may only be able to supply 400 cranking amps, which isnt nearly enough to turn over a heavy diesel engine (most need about 700) but for a car (250 cranking amps) its more than enough.
Did your truck come with the extra battery (as part of a cold-weather pack, perhaps), or has it been added on?
In either case (but especially in the latter case) you should also consider upgrading the alternator if you are going to be adding lots of electrical appliances that you'll be using often. If your current alternator has to supply more power than it was built to supply for extended periods, it will wear out quickly.
| ocalhoun wrote: |
Did your truck come with the extra battery (as part of a cold-weather pack, perhaps), or has it been added on?
In either case (but especially in the latter case) you should also consider upgrading the alternator if you are going to be adding lots of electrical appliances that you'll be using often. If your current alternator has to supply more power than it was built to supply for extended periods, it will wear out quickly. |
Suggestions on that alternator's stuff? I mean specifications and things like thatWell basically look in places that sell auto parts, especially ones that specialize in high-performance or work-truck-customizing. If you're lucky you'll find a better alternator that will fit your engine. If you're not lucky, you might be forced to give up, or make drastic modifications in order to fit a different alternator.
Why?????
An extra battery is necessary if you like to sit around listening to your tunes while your engine is not running. You connect your amps to the second battery so that if it goes flat you still can start your engine from the main battery.
If you really do need another battery than an electronic isolator system is needed to ensure they charge correctly and that only one battery supplies the main system and the second battery supplies your accessories.
If your battery charge light comes on while you play your music hard then another battery won't help. Your alternator is not strong enough. You will need to replace it.
If you are worried that you don't have enough power to drive your system to peak RMS limits then you need to install capacitors , not another battery.
Capacitors store electrical energy and release it when the system demands a big power surge ie. for the heavy bass notes. This happens at very high speed so that it can give your amps a strong power supply, more than your battery or alternator can supply.
The capacitors should be installed as close to the amps as possible.
This will help prevent distortion by giving a clean power supply for the amps at max output.
An electric isolator system that will keep your alt. from burning out from charging 2 batteries at once is a lot more hassle than putting in a higher rated alternator, plus there is more room for things to go wrong.
True, but a more powerful alternator does not do the same job as an extra battery, as I explained in my previous post.
Horses for courses.
The isolator is not to stop your alternator burning out it is to make sure both batteries are charged to full capacity and to prevent a wiring problem due to the starter using both batteries.
Without it when the main system battery is fully charged the alternator cuts its output because the sensing line comes from the main system and therefore the second battery may be only partially charged.
Also if the two batteries are not isolated the starter, which should run off the main battery, will draw current from the second battery through the charging circuit and cause the wiring to overheat as it is not designed to pass that much current.
