Upgrading battery

[Ely585]

I am thinking about getting a yellow top optima battery for my 91 wagon but I am concerned about my alternator. Do I have to upgrade it? I have a new alternator in my parts car. But i don't know if I have to upgrade it.

I am also running a 600 watt amp and 4 12 inch woofers. The lights do dim when the bass hit.

Are there any other stuff to upgrade (such as wiring) if I am running a yellow top?

[cuate01221]

I am thinking about getting a yellow top optima battery for my 91 wagon but I am concerned about my alternator. Do I have to upgrade it? I have a new alternator in my parts car. But i don't know if I have to upgrade it.

I am also running a 600 watt amp and 4 12 inch woofers. The lights do dim when the bass hit.

Are there any other stuff to upgrade (such as wiring) if I am running a yellow top?

Optima batteries are shit! If you want a nice audio battery check out Kinetik batteries. I believe the cheapest battery they make is $250, but they have some that reach into $900 I believe. The $200 battery should be just fine for your setup.

[C91BLX7]

Try doing a big 3 upgrade.

Or look into getting a upgrade alt if your serious. Prelude or maybe oddsey alt I believe have higher output. You'll want to research that.

[WhiteGhost]

I would Just get a cap....Thats why they make um....It charges up from the batt and the amp uses power from cap.....Get a 1farret cap and you will be good....Hear the diff right away and your light dim should stop also.....Also take the strain off your alt and batt!!

[Ely585]

Try doing a big 3 upgrade.

Or look into getting a upgrade alt if your serious. Prelude or maybe oddsey alt I believe have higher output. You'll want to research that.

I was just looking at a video about the big 3 upgrade. But I was looking at comments and people was saying that its pointless with out upgraded battery and alternator. . .

I am very new to when it comes to car electronics i know the basics like hooking up amps n radios but nothing big like capacitors n upgrading wires and stuff.

[GeoffM]

You could try Optima(Gel battery) or a Duralast Platinum (Absorbed glass mat).

[cuate01221]

I was just looking at a video about the big 3 upgrade. But I was looking at comments and people was saying that its pointless with out upgraded battery and alternator. . .

I am very new to when it comes to car electronics i know the basics like hooking up amps n radios but nothing big like capacitors n upgrading wires and stuff.

I did the big "1" if you may. I did the Battery to chassis and it really helped out a lot! I'm going to do the other 2 soon, I just need to buy more wire for it.

[C91BLX7]

I was just looking at a video about the big 3 upgrade. But I was looking at comments and people was saying that its pointless with out upgraded battery and alternator. . .

I am very new to when it comes to car electronics i know the basics like hooking up amps n radios but nothing big like capacitors n upgrading wires and stuff.

Your stock wires are 20years old. They probably accumulated some corrosion, allowing less amps to flow through.

[Ely585]

Your stock wires are 20years old. They probably accumulated some corrosion, allowing less amps to flow through.

Your probably right..

So should I go n do the big 3 upgrade with 0 gauge wire with stock alternator and regular battery? Will I see a difference?

[sonikaccord]

You may see a difference. It varies from car to car. It is a nice upgrade though, even if its just for replacing that old wire.

[steelbluesleepR]

Check out braille batteries, they are way less expensive than optima or oddessey, but use the same construction as Kinetik. IMO, if you are looking at any kind of upgrade battery and don't go with braille, you are throwing money away. They specialize in lightweight race batteries, but make some big ones that have a ton of power.

[GrimmCB7]

Optima batteries are shit! If you want a nice audio battery check out Kinetik batteries. I believe the cheapest battery they make is $250, but they have some that reach into $900 I believe. The $200 battery should be just fine for your setup.

My red top optima battery has lasted me 6 years. If you tend to leave anything on (accessories or lights) for long periods of time, or you forget to turn off your headlights at night on occasion, this is the battery for you. I left my lights once after a "long" night and when i woke up the next afternoon they where still on and my car started right up. IMO, since we drive FWD cars, instead of getting a lightweight battery stick with a heavy one. Every pound over the wheels counts.

[trinistylez]

I would Just get a cap....Thats why they make um....It charges up from the batt and the amp uses power from cap.....Get a 1farret cap and you will be good....Hear the diff right away and your light dim should stop also.....Also take the strain off your alt and batt!!

cap did not cut it for me, and i am running 5 times that power, and only 1 sub, 8 speakers. I did a yellow top optima upfront in the engine bay. and a khc1200 kinetic battery. I do have an h22 though, so not too sure about that alternator charging. With my setup, what will usually happen is if the car is at idle, no music playing, once i start bumping up the radio, the idle will drop a little, but correct itself and keep the idle where its supposed to be. that one time it drops is the only time my lights dim, after that its all good.

[SPLCB7]

Upgrade your alt bro! Trust me! Caps are crap there good for surge protection for your amp that's about it. Big 3 is a good way to go two combined with a high output alt you should be good. after that then add good Batt's not optima's there not that great for the cash.....

[ssondubs]

Try the big 3 and a good battery. Odessey makes the Diehard Platinum batteries and Sears has them in stock all day...8year warranty on them too.