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Is my battery isolator too small?

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=60799
Printed Date: July 07, 2025 at 11:24 AM


Topic: Is my battery isolator too small?

Posted By: oreo lover
Subject: Is my battery isolator too small?
Date Posted: August 05, 2005 at 11:47 PM

I have a Sure Power Industries Isolator model: 12023A.

I have two batteries.  The stock Acura Integra battery for the car and a Stinger SPV35 for the system which I am trying to add.  I have a 150 Amp alternator already installed to charge both batteries.  I have 0 gauge wire running from the stock vehicle battery right now to a lightning audio breaker to a fused splitter at the rear.  The sattelite amp is a Pioneer Premier GM-X1034 (4X65 Nom. or 4X130 Max).  The sub amp is PPI PCX2400 (2X400 4ohms, 2X800 2ohms, 1X1600 4ohms Bridged Mono).  My subs are 2 12" Pioner Premier TS-W12PRS Dual 4ohm wired together for a total impedance of 4ohms, 2 channel, in a sealed box.  I have a 1 Farad Stinger cap in series with the sub amp.

My questions are:

Will this isolator be sufficient or will it fail beacause it may be too small?  I do listen to the system loud but I don't enter comps with the car.  My lights still dim slightly since the vehicle battery is insufficient by itself and I am trying to alleviate the problem.  I will be updating the "Big Three".

Where should I mount the isolator?  Engine bay or trunk?  The Stinger battery will be in the trunk.

How to most efficiently run the power wires to save on wire length and at the same overall weight and cost.

Can I run the satellite amp off the vehicle battery and run the sub amp off the Stinger battery still using the isolator to ensure the two batteries don't fight each other?

More question will most likely arise as I see replies.  Looking forward to more knowledge.




Replies:

Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: August 06, 2005 at 1:25 PM
The isolator must go at the front of the vehicle. You need a fuse on the power line that runs from the isolator to the rear at both ends of the line, so right before the isolator up front and right before the battery in the rear. Connect all amplifiers to the same battery. To figure out what you need wire wire lengths and route, run string to find the lengths. Provide a link to the isolator. It ideally should be the same size or greater in amperage rating as the combined value of the fuses in all amplifiers.

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