Wiring dual batteries
- Thread starter bignate
- Start date
yeah, lots do. you only need an extra battery if you are pulling lots of juice, other wise it isnt necessary. yes, get either an optima battery, or a deep cycle. if you run a regular car battery below 9 or 10 volts, from drawing to much current, it will destroy it, thats what deep cycle batteries are for, they can drain to 0 and charge back up fine. you are better off just getting a deep cycle and use it for both if its just the average subs etc. but if you have 100+ ameres going to your amp(s) alone, its time for 2 batteries. you have to have a high output alternator to even bother with a second battery, and thats where the second wire will string from. then just ground the battery to the chassis whevever you stick it.
Also don't want to use conventional battery (like factory, interstate, etc.) because all though they are called "maintenance free", they do give off exhaust in the form of a gas that is explosive so make sure if you add additional batteries that you get a gel-cell if it is to be used in the trunk or an interior area. Best suggestion is to get an alternator that will handle the load of the car plus the new load of the system.
I like the 1 farad capacitor (or more if necessary) option. It’s lighter and helps reduce that distorted whine that you sometimes hear, plus you can incorporate the cap into the visual aspect of the system.
caps DO NOT do anything to help with a power shortage however. if your lights are dimming, a cap will not help. caps pull their power from the alternator, so you are putting an even bigger strain on your alternator if there is too much current being drawn already. if you have a HO alt, a cap will help and prolong your HO alt's life.