Hey guys this may be a dumb question but i was just wondering if i added another battery to my car and ran them in parallel if it would make a difference at all, I thought that it may supply a few more amps maybe for easier starting, or whatever. If anyone has any thoughts on this i would apreciate it

~Matt

 

It would add more weight than I would see a need for. Unless youre hardcore into car stereos and you need the extra power, I dont see the point.

~T.J.

 

well i am running a 500s rockford fosgate amp, with 2 12 inch Jbl's

 

it wouldnt be worth it, just spend ur money and get 1 decent sized battery or even a dry cell one..

 

Ditto. You only need one good battery. If you're concerned about power to your stereo system, then maybe you ought to strap on a high output alternator.

 

a high output alternator isnt needed..just a fraid cap that will handle the power of your amp....

 

A lot of people say that capacitors are just a band aid for a problem. Hint, hint .

~T.J.

 

ive ran a 1200 watt amp and a kicker 240 w/o another battery or copasitor....the compasior does nothing but give the amp a full 12 volts of power...when people run there remote wire from the back of the deck to the amp its not getting a full 12 amps its getting about 10-11...there is 2 ways to get 12v...a compasitor...battery...or running your remote wire from your battery to a switch to your amp...its all the same

 

The low battery will drain the high battery. Don't do it. Why do you need so much amp?

B

 

only reason for such a setup (common in some Chevy pickups) is for higher cold cranking amps (read: starting a V8 in -40 degree weather)

 

The capacitor supplies a quick release of current to the amp if there is a peak in current draw. Then, it draws current from the alternator (cutting in on the amp's supply) to recharge. Only a band-aid. It's a much better idea to make sure you have an electrical system capable of supplying enough power.

 

What he said .

~T.J.

 

Im not sure why you would want to, you should have no problem starting it with one battery. But if you do run two batteries in parallel , you SHOULD (im not gonna say must) use 2 identical batteries, preferably from the same group of batteries (purchesed the same time) or else they will try to kill each other charging and discharging one another.

Also if you run multiple batteries not side by side, but put another in the back, be sure to use large cable (1/0 awg or better) and run a HUGE circuit breaker at each batteries postive (250amp or so)

 

mike, the audio/elec wizard.

these cars don't take much to start. ever push started one? i could push v8kilr and get his started and i'm 5'7" and 125lb. if you are draining one to quickly then get an optima and get a better alternator.

 

MR. Car Toys here says, "You only need one battery" Enough Said.

 

So make sure it's an Optima... quality and all... ...to fix the crutch regarding power, this is your cheapest route with the least amount of hassle...


The Ultimate Alternator Swap Thread...