Running 2 batteries?
#1
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Running 2 batteries?
I was recently talking to an old friend of mine who has been in the car audio/competition business for over 10+ years and he suggested that rather then just running one battery in the trunk, that I run both my mini battery and redtop. He said to leave all the factory connections with the mini battery and run the system with the redtop.
His only concern was whether the stock alternator could charge both batteries or not.
Has anyone done this? Is this is even recommended?
Thanks.
His only concern was whether the stock alternator could charge both batteries or not.
Has anyone done this? Is this is even recommended?
Thanks.
#2
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Usually when you run two batteries they're identical. You should put an isolator between the two batteries also. You could run into a situation where the alternator is too small to charge both batteries at the same time, like if you had the stereo on for an extended amount of time with the engine off.
Are you running some high powered stereo or something to justify 2 batteries?
Are you running some high powered stereo or something to justify 2 batteries?
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I usually don't play the system without the car on. I wouldnt say my system is that loud, around 1000 watts combined rms from 2 amps, I initially bought the redtop thinking I'd only run it in the trunk
and take out the mini battery, but my friend suggested otherwise. I just wanted opinions.
and take out the mini battery, but my friend suggested otherwise. I just wanted opinions.
#4
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Thats redtop can more than power your system and the car. I would just remove the mini battery. If you wired the batteries in series you would get 28volts (bad) and in parrallell you get 14volts but they share a load, so they act as one big battery, It would be easier to drain beyond re-charging in that setup. Just stick with the simple solution.
#5
The problem with running 2 batteries is like everybody has said.. charging them. But if you run a Red top and have a system and your battery goes back optima wont touch it since you have a system. I would just say run a yellow top if you can. How come you want to upgrade anyways?
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Why do i want to Upgrade my battery? Just for peace of mind. I just didnt want the system to strain the electrical system. The redtop I got is one of the better ones, 800CCA and 1000CA and plus the yellow top is $100 more expensive.
I'll prolly just run one battery in the trunk.
Any know if its recommended to ground the trunk battery in the front of the car or any where in the trunk ok?
I'll prolly just run one battery in the trunk.
Any know if its recommended to ground the trunk battery in the front of the car or any where in the trunk ok?
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Yeah, I mean I have 17 ft of 2gauge for power and 3 feet of 2 gauge for ground.
My friend was telling me how there's less resistance in the front of the car or something like that.
While I understand I will connect the power to the factory wiring under the hood, how would this be beneficial to the ground?
Thanks for all the help!
My friend was telling me how there's less resistance in the front of the car or something like that.
While I understand I will connect the power to the factory wiring under the hood, how would this be beneficial to the ground?
Thanks for all the help!
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Sounds good, but man is 2 gauge wire expensive lol
And wouldnt grounding it the chassis directly up front be better then connecting it to the factory ground terminal?
How many feet do you think I'll need? 15 I assume.
And wouldnt grounding it the chassis directly up front be better then connecting it to the factory ground terminal?
How many feet do you think I'll need? 15 I assume.
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4 ga is fine for a charge wire to the trunk. I have ran 2 batteries in my cars for years. I would recommend getting a solenoid from stinger. This links the two batteries together when the key is in th eon position. You do not have to run the same type of batteries. I run the stock batt in front and a stinger dry cell in the back. And to answer the question if the alt can handle the charging the answer is yes. This also cuts down on the dimming of lights when listening at high volumes. although it does not completely eliminate it. i hope this information is helpful.
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I'd really like to only run one as I'd like to make up for some of my expenses by selling my mini-battery kit.
I was told that if I run 2 gauge power, then my ground should be the same size, 2 gauge. Is this not true? I think I'd still like to run 2 gauge, but just am not sure if I'll be running it all the way to the front of the car. It is about 3.xx per foot of 2 gauge, plus shipping.
I was told that if I run 2 gauge power, then my ground should be the same size, 2 gauge. Is this not true? I think I'd still like to run 2 gauge, but just am not sure if I'll be running it all the way to the front of the car. It is about 3.xx per foot of 2 gauge, plus shipping.