Adding a battery vs buying a new alternator...

[Onimacus]

Since both subs are working at almost full potential, I am worried about the strain on my electrical system.

I am debating on weather or not to put a second battery in my trunk or buying a high performance alternator, what do you all think?

I'm not sure how strong our alterantors are...


1998 SL2
2x12" 500 watt RMS Alphasoniks
1800 watt max, 900 RMS, kenwood amp

[Cat Fuzz]

Do your lights dim when the bass hits? Do you have a capacitor?

[Onimacus]

the lights only dim if i turn the stereo up too loud.

No I do not have a cap, everyone I've talked to that knows anything about car audio has told me they're worthless.

[PlayStation3]

did you replace your big 3?

[Onimacus]

I'm afraid I don't knw what that is

[sickcallawayc12]

the only purpose to putting a second battery in really is if you plan on using your ride as THE system at the usual overnight parties at the campground, and will put a WORSE strain on your alternator cuz it has to charge 2 batteries instead of one. An optima is all you will need in the battert dept.

[sierrap615]

i have never heard anything bad about caps, assuming the proper size is used and the rest of the electrical system is healthy

[PlayStation3]

the big 3 are a think are the 3 main wires under the hood. look in the audio part in here. they say something about them

[sierrap615]

i am also confused about the "big 3" idea, can you explan moreso or provide a referance?

[PlayStation3]

they make it so that if your headlight's dim then if you put in bigger wire inplace of them then usally it goes away/ people replace them if they have a overlyloud system. somewhere in the audio section they talk about replacing them but i forget where in there.

[thepyrofish]

The big 3 is your under hood wiring. The positive cables on the battery, your grounding cables, your alternator cables. I think that's the right three anyway. All of those will help. As someone said, a second battery is just for using your system when the car is off for long periods of time. Capacitors are just a bigger strain on your electrical system, as they can only store electricity not create it. If you really want a cap, you need to do it after you have a bigger alternator and you electrical system is beefed up enough to handle it. But you don't want a capacitor.