Rep Power: 317

i dont really think i need a high output alternator, but if i do get one, along with like an optima yellow top or whatever, will that cause less strain on my electrical system? or will it be more or less the same?
i'm afraid of my alt going out, if it goes, it goes, but i dont want to damage my electrical system by drawing too much current with my stock alt.
according to the manuals for my amps, my 1200.1 draws about 120amps at 12v at full rated rms power, and my 300.2 is like 25amps or something (that doesn't seem right, but i dunno). i dont really crank my system full often, so its never really peaking that much. anyone suggest for me to get a HO alt soon?

 
Rep Power: 0

I think it is good if your lights are dimming..... I know Im gonna get one with either a yellow or red top.....after the kit and new exhaust....I would go for it

 
Rep Power: 0

i say a redtop in the trunk if your stock battery is already upgraded... yellowtops are good and all, but power discharge from a deep cycle battery is much slower than from a non deep cycle

 
Rep Power: 337

an upgraded alternator will especially help if you run two separate batteries, and is nearly a necessity if you run three.

however, with the power you have, I think its really not neccesary. like lud said, with a redtop under the hood, i think youll find yoru electrical system is plenty strong to run everything.

and you could even do nothing and your car will run just fine.

id save the alternator money for when I went with alot more power and decided to get a second battery.

 
Rep Power: 317

ok cool, i guess i wont bother with the alt, but maybe a redtop will be a good idea.
i upgraded the magic three wires, or whatever they're called, but i still get some major dimmage at high volumes (none at low and moderate volumes thankfully). how much would that redtop help me for my problem? i mean, if its not going to help me out that much, i dont see any reason to get one of those either than.

 
Rep Power: 344

when i had the problem with my battery dying all the time i put a high output alternator in and it did nothing...literally. then i put the optima yellow top in and the battery no longer dies, also no more headlight dimming. as for red vs. yellow, ludlam and whiterabbit are more knowledeable than me on that. i have had no problems with the yellow top though.

 
Rep Power: 317

this may sound stupid, but can a place like autozone tell me how much battery life i have left on my stock battery?
i was thinking that if its going to die soon anyways, to go ahead and get the optima, but if i have significant life left in it, keep it for a bit longer, might as well not waste a good battery.

 
Rep Power: 337

no idea, ive definitely had batteries seem like they wer eon their last legs, then after some rewiring, sprung to live again.

so as far as im concerned, appearances can be decieving.....