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A 2ND BATTERY?

 
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Old Mar 12, 2002
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A 2ND BATTERY?

How do you go about wiring a second battery in your car? I have a .5 farad cap on a bazooka el1500 mono bass amp. Do I need another battery?

<< I AM THE MASTER OF MY FATE; I AM THE CAPTAIN OF MY CIVIC. >>

Old Mar 12, 2002
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the way i see it, there are a few ways you could implement a second battery in your car. here they are:

1. wire Battery_A and Battery_B in parallel so you get the same voltage but an increased current. i am not sure if this would make the current too high for some car systems or not, or if it would make the Alternator's job of charging the battteries harder.

2. you could also wire the 2 batteries so that once Battery_A got below the nominal voltage of a car battery (something like 11.5 volts or similar) a relay would disconnect Battery_A and connect Battery_B to the main power system in your car. Im not sure the exact curcuit diagram for this type of thing, but i know it would be simple.

perhaps some of the more experienced/knowledgeable electronics ppl could say what exactly the circuit would envolve[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG]
Old Mar 12, 2002
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I appreciate your input. How do I become a member?

<< i am the captain of my fate; i am themaster of my civic. >>

Old Mar 12, 2002
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where is mowhawkboom when ya need'em? he'd tell ya why a 2nd battery is no good [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]
Old Mar 12, 2002
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keep posting and you will become a member =)
Old Mar 12, 2002
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You dont need another battery. You can buy and stronger battery but that wont help as much if you buy an aftermarket alternator or you can buy and acura alternator(higher amps output). I have a monster cable 1.0 farad cap powering my MTX 8100D amp. My lights still flicker but is not as noticable without the cap.
Old Mar 13, 2002
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Instead of getting another battery, I would replace yours with a better battery. Holley makes one that looks to fit, but the Optimas are too big.

The problem with two batteries is how do you charge them.

You can have two equal batteries connected in parallel. I did this in the boat. But everything has to be equal, same cables (length, guage, etc.), same exact battery with the same age. Then the alternator will charge them both the same.

Past that, you can run a battery isolator which decides which battery is low and sends the current to them. Isolators are big and cost about 300 for a good one. Are you really sitting for 4 hours without your car running, or you just need more power while driving?

I think the Holley battery is 150, but it would get you more cranking and reserve amps without going to any one extreme.
Old Mar 13, 2002
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The Optima will fit.
Old Mar 13, 2002
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well....how do ppl with hydro's have a lot of batteries (4+) and still keep hoppin around????[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG]...or do they just use it every now and then, and then go home and charge up the batteries?
Old Mar 13, 2002
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where would u put the second battery?? isn't it too small in our front?
Old Mar 13, 2002
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an isolator thanks. I saw a member with a battery in the trunk

<< i am the master of my fate; i am the captain of my civic >>

Old Mar 13, 2002
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People with hydros charge there batteries at home.
Old Mar 13, 2002
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Okay,

Here I am. Here's your answer....Addign a second battery will worsen the problem. A Battary stores electricity, however once that electrical charge has been depleted the battery must recharge, thus becoming a resistor. This adds MORE strain to your alternator. As it now has to charge 2 batteries, power your ignition system and a sound system. A second battey/Isolator costs abotu %50 less than a 160 amp alternator. The Optima Red top R34 does fit with a wee bit of modification. and SVR-50 drops in perfectly....

2nd battery = More work for your alternator.
Isolator= one dead battery, one REALLY hot overworked alternator. 1 good battery, lotta wasted $$$$
..
Cheers
Mohawk
Old Mar 13, 2002
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i know that,but i saw another member who had a second battery. He must have it for a reason.
Old Mar 13, 2002
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Because he doesn't know any better..or he listens to his system with car off alot..

Cheers
Mohawk
 
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