which is better, alternator or battery?

ok. well in the long run. which is the better way to go?!
optima red top battery                  OR
high output altenator.

i think i'm leaning towards a high output alt. but the thing is, i dont have the cash for it...too expensive up here in canada. and i can get an optima red top for 132$

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xTimx

Well, when you are operating your vehicle and cranking up the sound system, you are drawing current from the alternator. That is really the component that needs to be upgraded for high amp systems. If you are doing a lot of competing, with the engine shut off, then a higher capacity battery would be a good thing to have as well, since the system will draw exclusively from the battery without the engine running.

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2004 BMW 325ci.
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I hooked a RedTop up to a 800-watt system and a 80-amp alt and killed it in like a month. I *would NOT* spend $132 on a RedTop when you can spend $170 on a Yellow.

You provided no information about what you are trying to run or why you are trying to replace your battery. You should do that and we'll be much better help.

Again, a $130 RedTop is stupid when a $170 Yellow will serve car audio needs *much* better. A Yellow has a good 1/3 more reserve capacity as well as the ability to actually scrape the bottom of the battery for power and still charge when you're done. If you have a stock-alt, you really want to be able to drain your battery off and charge it back up a few times... you aren't going to have the power on tap to keep a Red charged all the time .. once you drain it down real low once you aren't ever going to get the same performance from it again..\

IMO, with a stock-alt and any sort of heavy load, a Red is a total waste of money. Go Yellow or post back with what u want to do and we'll take it from there.

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"I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview

I depends. If your lights don't dim, or just barely (I'm talking your: idleing, bass cranked, and your light barely dim), then I'd got with a red top.

If your driving and have the bass cranked and the lights still dim, then you need a HO alternator.

Paul

How many watts are you running?? I would only get a HO alt. if your lights are dimming down quite a bit, if you only have a little dimming problem then you are probably ok to go with a yellow top (no red top). If you have more of a electrical problem then go with a HO alt. I hear you on them being expensive though, there is no way I could afford to put one in my car...expecially when I dont know how long the car is going to last, or how long I will have it.

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"Which is better, alternator or battery?" is sort of like asking "which is better, food or water?"  You need both.  You need an alternator that can provide the steady-state power consumption of the vehicle and the amplifiers and can keep your battery charged, and you need a battery that can start the car, can provide surge current capacity and can supply your system when the alternator is off (parked) or operating at low levels (idling.)  I say you need both depending on the vehicle and the system you've added to it.

That's my 2 cents.

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Support the12volt.com

i would say both too, but definatly get a alt if u can afford it. the alt is the heart of the electrical system, everything else draws from the alt including the extra battery and caps too.

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as Dyohn said both. one is no good with out the other.

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Big Dave

If you only could get one, which one would you get? I have a VW Golf with an alpine MRD-m501(550 watts) and my lights dim when i crank it up at night. What would be the best option, a yellow/red battery or alternator? Only can get one. Thanks alot.

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Volkswagen Golf
Alpine CDA-9851
Alpine MRD-M501
Alpine 12" Type R Ported
Alpine Guy is my hero

This thread is indeed horrible. Get the sufficient HO alternator and you'll never *need* to upgrade to a battery. On the other hand if you get the extra battery, you'll still NEED a HO alternator if the amp is drawing too much current. I'd say just stick to the HO alt. If you're thinking of competing, consider the Battery in addition to the HO alt later down the road.

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Dave

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