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When To Get A Second Battery

RusH_

By RusH_,
in Car Audio & Electrical

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RusH_ Veteran

RusH_

Posted
Posted

Hey all, just wanting to get some opinions when its best to have a second battery to run your system, ie what components you can run comfortably using the single battery before it becomes a problem,

also,

what would it cost to get a second battery installed somewhere (roughly)(chris?)

and what components you would run off each battery, say the head unit and speakers off the main battery and the subs and amps from the secondary? or something like that.

Steve

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blinko Proficient

blinko

Posted
Posted
Hey all, just wanting to get some opinions when its best to have a second battery to run your system, ie what components you can run comfortably using the single battery before it becomes a problem,

also,

what would it cost to get a second battery installed somewhere (roughly)(chris?)

and what components you would run off each battery, say the head unit and speakers off the main battery and the subs and amps from the secondary? or something like that.

Steve

i have 2amps 4speakers headunit and few other things running of one battery and its been fine... just get a volts meter installed and you will be able to see what you are using.. just dont listen to music with your car off for more then 5mins :worship:

Fixxxer Community Regular

Fixxxer

Posted
Posted

Yep, agree with Haysey. If you like to listen to a lot of stuff with the engine off, a good deep cycle battery will be enough, even with a few amps. Even a normal car battery (good one with good CCA and RC) should be fine if you don't listen to the stereo with the car off much. Make sure your ground wires are good including the alternator to battery cable.

Fixxxer

DRD-00F Grand Master

DRD-00F

Posted
Posted
Yep, agree with Haysey. If you like to listen to a lot of stuff with the engine off, a good deep cycle battery will be enough, even with a few amps. Even a normal car battery (good one with good CCA and RC) should be fine if you don't listen to the stereo with the car off much. Make sure your ground wires are good including the alternator to battery cable.

Fixxxer

What about for people who are hitting about 3kw?

str00th Collaborator

str00th

Posted
Posted

Like the other guys are saying a big deep cycle will be fine for most applications. However you're looking at at least $300 bucks new for a shitty one. Id go with something at least 500CCA.

If you want two battery's, you keep your standard battery and get a secondary deep cycle with whats called a "dual battery isolator" they're about $150 bucks.

What happens is when the first battery gets to 50% it swaps to the deep cycle but at the same time it charges both from the alternator.

If you know someone with an AMP meter test your battery load with everything on full and that will give you an indication of what battery you need.

I myself have a Van with a decent system around 140DB and at max volume is drawing 60amps from the battery, the thing is, its a diesel so it has a 60amp alternator which is pretty big and only just keeps it afloat. I think skylines have a 35 or 40amp or something?(correct me if I'm wrong) So you don't wanna be drawing more then your alternator can charge or you battery will be f**ked quick smart. If its not a deep cycle and you flatten it more then two or three times they are just about f**ked and won't hold a charge.

2c

RusH_ Veteran

RusH_

Posted
  • Author
Posted

ah ok, so how much am i looking at for a decent deep cycle battery? to be honest, the most i can see myself running is 4 speakers, 2 amps and at best 2 subs with a double din dvd unit

i would like to be able to listen to tunes with the car off, well, id like to know that if i did the battery wouldnt die, not that i just get in the car and listen to music for the hell of it...

but for peace of mind anyway

str00th Collaborator

str00th

Posted
Posted

You are looking at spending at least $300 anything under that is not worth the plastic its made from.

I can get you one through a distributor. I buy all my batteries from them they are top quality and i highly recommend them as the guy that runs the business sells allot of solar battery boxes and stuff to fiji etc and is a qualified electronic engineer (he knows his stuff)

PM me for more info.

HypeR33 Mentor

HypeR33

Posted
Posted
I'd be considering an earthing upgrade + bigger alternator before a second battery, no use having 2 batteries if you cant charge em.

As Trav33 said...the guys that did mine just recommended a better than standard battery and a bigger alternator. As it is, it is running fine on the standard battery and standard alternator.

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