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Auxillary power system for amps only.

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=1608
Printed Date: September 13, 2025 at 4:14 AM


Topic: Auxillary power system for amps only.

Posted By: wlg83
Subject: Auxillary power system for amps only.
Date Posted: June 30, 2002 at 2:00 AM

I am trying to devise a plan to use a second alternator and battery in my car to be used solely for my system's amplifiers. My question is... if I share a common chassis ground, will I still experience a drop in voltage? Will It truely remain isolated form the auto's electronics? If not, how can I keep the second power system's ground isolated.

P.S.  Looking for 12 volt wholesalers other than The Wholesale House or Sylvester Electronics.



Replies:

Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: June 30, 2002 at 5:09 AM
There is no way to isolate the ground when running two alternators. If you add a second alternator and battery the ground will not cause a drop in the voltage. You might want to check out this link scroll down on the right side and click on the links battery isolators and charging system upgrades https://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc




Posted By: GlassWolf
Date Posted: June 30, 2002 at 5:17 PM
While I've seen second alternators put in, I really don't see a point most of the time. The alternator recharges the battery and supplies current while the car is running.
Here's what may be a better solution:

Put in a 200-amp primary high-current alternator.
put in a 1 or 1.5fd capacitor for each amplifier you're installing. Wire them all in parallel after the battery together, so you have a cluster of capacitors from which any amp(s) can draw as a collective reserve if and when needed.
run good power lines, like 1/0 or 4 ga. from alternator, battery(ies), and ground points for both.
run the same back to your amp rack(s)
fuse those links 18 inches from the battery(ies)
put in a strong battery for the main car. Perhaps an Optima deep cycle.
use a battery isolator rig for recharging multiple batteries.
put in more optima deep cycles in the back as dedicated amp-batteries.
fuse each of those batteries too
now go to a power distro block, and drop to 4ga or 8 ga for each amp, fusing those smaller lines through a fuse-block from someone like Stinger or PG or Esoteric Streetwires
ground all amps as close to the individual component as possible, getting a good, heavy chassis ground.
That setup should power anything you can throw at it.


-------------
-GlassWolf
Pioneer Stage-4, Orion, DynAudio, Fi





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