optima yellow top batteries
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=17198
Printed Date: June 15, 2024 at 10:02 PM
Topic: optima yellow top batteries
Posted By: crichols82
Subject: optima yellow top batteries
Date Posted: August 05, 2003 at 3:15 PM
Ive been noticeing the lights dimming in my car lately from my stereo, and I cant really afford a new alternator. I was wondering if a power cap and yellow top battery would give me the boost I needed. Im not sure if the battery provides a bettter current supply, I know that the cap doesnt. I'm going to be running a Jbl 600.1 amp along with a orion 150.2 amp to run my 6x9's....I have a 97' Honda civic and I'm pretty sure the stock alternator only puts out 75 amps....should I be worried with this new setup?
Replies:
Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: August 05, 2003 at 5:51 PM
save your money until u can afford a new alternator and keep it turned down until that time...
all a new battery and cap are going to do is waste your money and kill your alternator even faster...so then u have to spend money on a cap, money on a battery, and in the near future probably money on a new alternator which you should have bought instead...
with those two amps plus the cars electrical system, the stock alt will have a very hard time keeping up...like I said before, save until u can afford a bigger alternator...its the only way to go...
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: August 05, 2003 at 6:35 PM
I agree with Big Purds the only real solution is a high output alternator.
Posted By: crichols82
Date Posted: August 05, 2003 at 7:29 PM
so if i got a new alt, i would have a need for a new battery? I got a new one not long ago, and if the alt will suffice, then ill just get that...thanks for your help again guys
Posted By: pureRF
Date Posted: August 05, 2003 at 7:42 PM
How much is a new alternator Because I am going to be running the RF 1001bd and 301x.
thanks
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dream it, build it, fiberglass it
Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: August 06, 2003 at 5:19 AM
you wouldnt need a new battery if the one you have works ok unless you listen to your stereo with your car off...as long as you listen with the car running and have an alternator that will meet or exceed the power consumption needs of your vehicle and stereo, its all gravy...
I would suggest running at the very least 4 ga, and depending on the future upgrades planned, perhaps even heavier wire...when you install the alt, make sure to upgrade the power lead to the battery AS WELL AS the grounds, all to at least 4 ga, and preferably 1/0 if you have access to it for a reasonable price (welding cable works great) because trying to pull 60 or more amps of current out of a 12ga wire will probably end up in flames...
Posted By: acq810z
Date Posted: August 06, 2003 at 2:41 PM
you are in exactly in the same boat that I was in about a month ago. I have a 97 ex also and to be honest with you you will need a new alt. the battery and cap are good to have but only if you can supply enough power to both.......for example your current alternator (stock) does put out around 70 amps......so this is how it goes - JBL 600.1 = 600W RMS / 13.8V = 44 amp draw
- Orion 150.2 @ 4 ohm = 75W x 2 = 150W RMS / 13.8V = 11 amp draw
- Orion 150.2 @ 2 ohm = 150W x 2 = 300W RMS / 13.8V = 22 amp draw
Ok, with the math out of the way here is how you figure it....... even at the lowest draw you are pulling 55 amps away from a system that has about 20 amps free. So taking your current alternator at 70+-5 amps minus 50+-5 amps for regular car electrical functions that leaves you 20 amps left over.....out of which you want to pull 55-66 amps......no battery/cap combo in the world will make up for a 35-46 amp deficit.....i hated getting this news too....it sucks because of two things......first High output alts are expensive (mine was 306 and change with shipping) and second....they are a bitch to install on civics......(mine took me 6+ hours to install and i am fairly good with cars) My advice is to save your money and buy the alternator rather than a bat/cap combo.....but that is just me...... Here is the link to the place where i got my HO alt --> https://www.4alterstart.com/pages/store/skudetail.nhtml?profile=highoutputalternators&uid=12433&catuid=10013&returnURL=http%3A//www.4alterstart.com/highoutputalternators If you need clarification/ or you see any corrections that need to be made.......correct them please... ~Q
Posted By: acq810z
Date Posted: August 06, 2003 at 2:43 PM
P.S. that HO alt is a stock replacement ......i.e. No modifications to make it fit......there are bigger ones but on a civic i wouldnt recommend it unless you are good friends with a auto shop or a welder......:~) Q
Posted By: crichols82
Date Posted: August 06, 2003 at 4:33 PM
yea I see where I am going to need a replacement for the alternator...hmmm....this sucks I dont think I have the money to do the system and the alternator. Just out of curiousity, why does the install take so long? I am fairly adept when it comes to cars, i.e. i know my way around the engine and can fix most simple mechanical problems, but I have never dealt with an alternator. Do i need to replace all the wiring and ground cables? Also, I checked out the link you gave me and the H.O. alternator put out 150 amps....I guess with the setup I had planned I could go with the 135 amp alt, seeing as how I wont need that much current. I had also heard that H.O. alt burn out quickly in Civics, as they take on too much heat.....has anyone heard about this happening?
Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: August 07, 2003 at 4:21 AM
if you can replace a stock alternator there is no difference until you start getting fancy and welding up custom mounting brackets to put a non honda alternator in...its typically 2 or 3 bolts, a belt, and a clip in wire harness to remove and then reverse for reinstall...
I would replace the wiring directly related to the alternator, because the stock wiring is pretty weak when u start to talk about large current draw...do the charge lead from the alternator in 4 ga at least, and then make sure that the batterys ground is at least that big, if not bigger...alot of people will add a second ground as well just to be safe...
as far as the heat issue, I have never heard of a reputable HO alternator dying prematurely because of heat, in any car...buy a quality product to begin with and you shouldnt have any problems...
Posted By: LittleBill
Date Posted: August 07, 2003 at 9:15 PM
u may possibly be able to get your stock alternator rewound. this is cheaper then buying a new ho alternator
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