Lights dimming bad

[gfunkfb09]

Battery tray?

Where might I find one of these battery trays? Any place online got them?

And whats a good battery to go with? And I should be alright leaving the battery alone right now and just getting a deep cell one as the 2nd one right? The one I have now is a die hard gold series I think.

And I heard something about a battery relay that keeps the batteries from draining, what is that and is it needed?

Thanks

 

[Dvldogyut]

Okay, you can get the tray, battery hold down, and the hold down bolt from a gm dealership for around $40. Or you can try junk yards, you will find them on most diesel trucks. And don't mix batteries, have two the same type and age. This will shorten the life of the batteries. I would go with XsPower batteries. D3400 will fit in the stock locations. Also the battery isolator won't be needed as long as you don't play your system without the vehicle started. All it does is keep from draining both batteries so you can still start it.

 

[gfunkfb09]

Great information about dual batteries, does anything think a new deep cycle battery to replace the old battery I have know can correct the problem? And of course I will run 0/1 gauge wire too.

 

[blueflamed03]

I second the XS Power battery as your primary battery.

 

[PUNKYOU007]

There are many companies out there. Kinetik, XS Power, C&D Technologies, shuriken, Optima....many many more.

A lot of people are turning to XS Power, well, because Steve Meade runs them and he is a big player when it comes to car audio. Only problem with most of these batteries is you can only find them online unless you are lucky enough have a local battery shop or car audio shop that sells them. Or try a speed shop local to you.

I run Kinetik and Optima and mine are fine and I couldn't be happier. The great thing about Optima is you can find them at any auto parts store. If you even need a replacement, its just around the corner.

As for where you can put one....thats completely up to you and the space you want to dedicate to a battery. In my suburban I put two all the way in the back where my stock sub was.


I also have two in the foot well of the third row seat. Box was unfinished BTW.


And i have one up front. So thats just some ideas.

If you do end up putting your battery in the back within a foot or so of your amplifier. You can ground your amp to your battery, just make sure where ever you ground that battery, that its a good ground. This will save you from having to buy a bunch of 1/0 so you can run a ground for each. Its not necessary. Wont hurt if you do run a ground for each just not necessary.

For the size of the battery, best would be to decide whos batteries you want to run then find out what size is recommended for your particular setup. Most of the companies have different size batteries...you may not need a big ol 100lb battery.

http://www.kinetikaudio.com/2009/powercalc.asp



Hope this helps.

 

[gfunkfb09]

I checked the voltage last night and when the subs aren't hitting my voltage is around 16.5 to 16.8, then when it hit is drops to the low 14s and my lights dim, is this normal? I havent upgraded to 0/1 yet or anything.

 

[PUNKYOU007]

16.5-16.8 is far from normal! Are you running an MLA? If you are charging that high you will more thank likely kill your batt...if your lucky. You need to address this ASAP

That is super high for normal charging. If you had the equipment to charge that high you would know and would not be asking. Other than that there is an issue. Also if you are only dipping in the 14's and still dimming either you have one hell of a system or again there are some major electrical issues going on.

Normal 12v batts will not last long under these conditions, they may swell badly or explode!!!

I run dual alts and an MLA and even on an extremely cold morning my charging voltage with my system off is only 15.9-16.3 which is even dangerous for my equipment.

 

[gfunkfb09]

I checked the voltage at the amp and the battery while the car was running and it stays in the 16s, so this isn't normal?

What could cause this issue?

What do I need to do to fix this, do I take it to the dealership or a car audio place?

And what is a MLA?

Thanks

 

[PUNKYOU007]

in my experience the only way you should be charging the the 16 volt range is if you have an upgraded electrical system. Normal 12 volt batteries should not be charged with more than 14.9 volts...so 16 volts can damage them. Cause them to swell or worse cause them to explode.

I don't have a clue as to why you are charging this high. Have you done any electrical upgrades to your truck? High output alternator?

MLA stands for Missing Link Audio. They make a little black box that will boost your vehicles charging voltage.

 

[gfunkfb09]

Only upgrade I have done is the big 3 with 0/1 gauge welding cable, I have the battery and block both grounded on the same place on the frame, and the wire from the alternator to the battery is fused with a 300 amp fuse. Is this done correctly? And i believe I have a 145 amp alt that came on the truck, but idk how to tell if I do or not.