More batts or another alt?!?!

[chrishova]

Hey ya'll! I finally got my system in,

4 runs of 0ga., 2 pos., and 2 neg., still got grounds everywhere, the big 3, an Iraggi 300a alt., a yellowtop under the hood, and a XS 3100 and a 3400 in the back. I got a voltmeter hooked up to the amp power inputs.

I have a SMD D.7 on a SAZ3500D and it will down to 12v .

I was wondering if I should spend my money on dual alt setup, Iraggi said he can do one for my Grand Prix, or another XS3100 and a 3400 for the front?!?! Either will be about the same amount of money, what will be best?!?!? Thank ya'll!!

[chrishova]

I also have an Epic 160, and I did wire each "side" of the amp to each coil so I should be @ .35 ohm

[hdorre]

First thing I would do is clamp your current alt. Does it output at least its rating? I have heard a TON of stories...

[CJ18]

More battery reserve.

[SnowDrifter]

I vote another alt. If you are dropping that low, more batteries will help, but more alt will help more because you are dipping into battery voltage IMHO.

I have a crescendo 3500 at .5 ohms, stock battery, and can hold 15v at the amp full tilt

Edit: let me clarify. In every single setup I have seen, more alternator does better than more battery. Bigger/more alternators will be more effective in charging more batteries. They will charge faster and strain less while doing so. Imagine a pool with a hose going in and a hose going out. If your 'pool' is draining, wouldn't it make more sense to increase the flow of 'water' going in so it doesn't drain vs getting a bigger pool?

Edited July 13, 2012 by SnowDrifter

[Tim Lam]

if room is not a concern, i would just battery bank it.

since you already have the iraggi alt, i would add a second alt if you still got voltage drops after the battery bank.

just my $.02

[Tim Lam]

LOVE the port btw, where did you get it? and get it colored?

[Miguels]

is that alt even doing what its rated? i only have 2 kinetik 2400 and i drop to 13.8

[matt402]

More battery reserve.

^this. batts > alts.

id rather run a larger amp @ 1.4 instead of trying to overwork ur amp @ .35, u have more thd & current draw.

[chrishova]

LOVE the port btw, where did you get it? and get it colored?

Thank ya'll for the help!

I got the port from Lowes! Yep, PVC with a coupler that I flared and painted..

BUILD LOG http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/142026-smd-in-a-grand-prix/page__fromsearch__1