I'm going to be installing my system into my car this week and i noticed the size difference between the battery in my car now (95 integra) and my previous car (93 T-bird RIP). I had my system installed in the T-bird and i didnt really have a power problem except for the domelights and headlights occasionally dimming on big bass hits. I'm guessing that this battery in my integra, which is about half the size of the battery i had in the T-bird, will not be able to handle my system and there isn't enough room to drop in my old battery. Please give me some tips on what you guys out there with powerful audio system did to fix this power problem. Upgraded alternator?? Yellow top batteries?? I would like to avoid having an extra battery in my trunk.

 

Well I don't think you can fit a yellow top in place pf the factory but you might, ...You can always run a capacitor from the battery to your amps. It works like a second battery and makes sure that your amps are getting enough juice. You can find a cap for about $150 if you look for one. It should get rid of your blinking lights too.

 

RedDawg.....what amps are you using? Changing the battery or adding stiffening caps won't help you if the alternator can't keep up with the current demands of your amps.

Basically, your system is being powered by the alternator when your engine is running. The battery's main purpose is to start the car. An extra battery in your trunk will actually hurt you more if you still have the factory alternator because now it has to charge 2 batteries and run all of your electrical accessories at the same time. The only advantage an extra battery will give you is more listening time when the motor is off.

Stiffening caps will help you in the sound quality department but do not act in the same manner a battery does (a battery cannot quickly discharge and recharge in matter of milliseconds). Stiffening caps help your amps during musical transients and heavy bass passages. The end result is tighter, cleaner sounding bass and better sounding midrange and highs.

 

I have a 1 farad cap that i will be installing, i had it installed in my previous car and the lights still flickered a little, that's why i'm concerned about this much smaller battery. My best bet would probally be to purchase a better alternator ??

 

oops sorry i didn't realize i never told you guys what i plan on installing, that would probally help Ok here's all the stuff
For bass: 2 12" infinity perfect subwoofers powered by a rockford punch 800a2

For midrange and treble: 2 sets of boston pro series 6.53 up front and 2 sets of boston pro series 6.5 in the rear all powered by a rockford punch 800a4

Panasonic headunit with 8 disc CD changer in the trunk

1 farad audiobahn capacitor used just for the subwoofers

I have all the correct gauge wires run and there are the right amount of distribution blocks

Monster cable RCA's split through a rockford punch X crossover

When all of this was installed in my old car the headlights would dim on big bass hits so i dont know if i should buy a 2nd capacitor or if i should upgrade my alternator, how much would a better alternator cost??

 

An extra cap won't hurt. Instead of just putting it on your bass amp, connect both caps together (in parallel) on your main power line. This way your mids and highs will sound better as well.

Before getting a new alternator, I would recommend to install everything first and see how your car reacts. If the car feels as if it's going to stall when big bass notes hit, then I would consider the alternator upgrade. Otherwise, just leave the system the way it is. According to one of the most respected gurus in the car audio field (Richard Clark), he would only replace his alternator under one of two conditions:

"i would change my alternator only under two conditions----i found my car hard to start in the morning (but i would first rule out a bad battery) ---------or my alternator fails--------other wise i would leave things alone----my guess is you will be just fine.........RC"

For more on the alternator debate or any other car audio issue check out:
http://www.carsound.com/cgi-bin/ubbc...i?action=intro

These forums are moderated by experts on any car audio-related topic.

 

ok, thanks, i'll try hooking it all up first, then maybe getting a 2nd cap

 

in my '94 tegra 4dr gsr i have the following:
head unit eclipse 5v (forgot model #)
2-RF 500a2
1-RF 400a4
3-10"w6 JL audio subs
2-6"3/4 kicker comp mids
and stock tweets
1-1farad RF cap.
and a stock charging system with the stock battery and its all fine.
thats just the sounds.



[Modified by frqntflyr, 10:47 AM 6/2/2001]

 

ok, yesterday i hooked up the 2 subs and the 800a2 amp (subs are bridged into the amp). I played them loudly on the 20 min drive to work. After work i went to start my car and the battery was dead, i had to get a jump, so i unhooked everything. I didn't think it would drain my battery that bad without the cap. I'm hoping the 1 cap will fix this

 

Your problem sounds strange.

Try this test when you can.

1. Start the car
2. Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery.

If the car dies, then you've got a bad alternator. If it doesn't, turn your system on and play it as you did the other day. If the car dies, you'll need to have the alternator checked or replaced.

BTW.....did you buy the car used? And if so, the previous owner may have had a system that eventually wore out the factory alternator. It's always hard to tell what the car has been through when you buy used.

 

i'll have to try that tomorrow, i'll let you know what happens. Thanks again