optima yellow top batteries

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?

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 --> http://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

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

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?