extra battery

[H_wag88]

will and extra battery help for my amps?

[NEXVCTM]

I used a hi amp alt. with an external regulator instead of adding another batt.

to answer ur Q should help depending on ur set-up

[jcoleman_11]

i would definetly get a high output alternator before a second battery.

[thguyonthecouch]

i would definetly get a high output alternator before a second battery.

why?

[jcoleman_11]

why?

because if your alternator can't provide what your amp draws, you'll slowly drain your batteries. Sure, having the extra battery will give you twice as long, but you'll only be delaying what's bound to happen.

[ali954]

i dont need another battery for my system, i already bought a 170 amp alt for that. im still having trouble starting my car when its cold. always have to hook up the charger for about 5 min. i already had the battery checked and its fine. if i add in my old battery will that help me with cold starts? and if so should i hooke them up in series or parallel?

[jcoleman_11]

your battery most likely just doesnt have enough CCAs (cold crank amps).

[ali954]

its a duralast gold and it has 700 ccas i believe. btw battery is in the trunk. u thing adding it in series will help with the amps?

[hybrid90accord]

High output alt + BIG 3, and if that fails then add a battery up front

[ali954]

i also did my big 3 and i was still getting probs.

so i added on my other battery. i did it very ghetto but it works. put a battery under my spare and connected the positives together with jumper cables and the negative to the chassis.

it hasnt been "cold" enough yet but i do notice it takes like 1 less crank and starts like a second faster.

[carlosamador16]

Isn't that what a cap is for?

Do you have one on your system?

The auto parts store should be able to test your battery/starting/charging system to tell you if your battery, alternator, starter are good.

Wouldn't hurt to check things out. It takes about two minutes.

[ali954]

oh and i also have a 4 farad cap in the box with the battery. i already got my battery checked and its good but i never did get my alt checked nor my starter.

[loud92CB7]

caps are useless!!!!! its putting a bandaid on a bullet hole... lol. your battery may be good but it could be weak.

[JDMCB3Si]

caps are useless!!!!!

Who told you this? As long as your cap is big enough to support the amp(s) your running. Our rule of thumb was always 1 farad per 500 watts, most go 1 farad per 1000 watts but we did it different for better results.

To the OP, your battery isnt causing your car not to pop off right away so adding another battery is NOT going to change your issue. As for any help were gonna give you seem to argue every option and have everything people mention so basically your set on having a second battery so if you think thats gonna work more power to you.

[sonikaccord]

Who told you this? As long as your cap is big enough to support the amp(s) your running. Our rule of thumb was always 1 farad per 500 watts, most go 1 farad per 1000 watts but we did it different for better results.

To the OP, your battery isnt causing your car not to pop off right away so adding another battery is NOT going to change your issue. As for any help were gonna give you seem to argue every option and have everything people mention so basically your set on having a second battery so if you think thats gonna work more power to you.

Caps aren't completely pointless...they do help smooth out the voltage to the amp but as far as using them as extra power when your alt can't deliver it still doesn't fix the main problem.