| Author |
Message |
    
Jameslarson
Junior Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 32
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 10:54 pm: | 
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Hi. OK. I think I pretty much narrowed down the amp I want (667V). Now here is what I plan to do.
I have a chevy van which has a 105 amp alternator. I have the "regular" battery in the hood. I plan on adding a second battery (Optima yellow top) in parallel to this battery and putting this Optima battery in the cab area behind the passenger seat. Keep in mind that the "regular" battery has side and top posts. The side posts are being used for the vehicle, so I'll simply connect the optima to the top posts. I will then run my radio and Texas star directly to the Optima battery which will literally be 2-3 feet away. Short cords are good as I have been told. Questions:
1. Do I still need to ground the Radio and amp to the chassis seeing that the battery is right there? If so, why?
2. Is it a problem running an optima yellow top "deep cycle" type battery in parallel with a "regular" battery? Is it OK to mix these types of batteries in paralell?
3. Is yellow top Optima good for this? Or am i better off with a red top? Or some other battery or model?
4. Is 1/0 gauge wire good to parallel these batteries together?
5. Is 105 amp alternator good for this setup?
6. Any other suggestions to help out with this setup?
Thanks. You guys are the best. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1308
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 10:26 am: |
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Answers-
1. Yes. Because it is safer and you still need a chassis RF ground for the equipment.
2. Yes, it is a problem. Unless the batteries are isolated with a charging isolator, one will drain the other and shorten the life of both. You cannot simply parallel 12 volt batteries unless they are the exact same type AND age.
3. A deep cycle battery is what you need. Check West Marine for recommended deep cycle batteries.
4. Yes, up to about 40 feet.
5. The more, the better.
6. Yes, Don't! Besides breaking the law, you are about to catch your vehicle on fire unless you do this right. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2702
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 11:30 am: |
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i agree with 833 on ALL points, except, MAYBE, #3. if you plan on SHUTTING the engine off, or are WAY under-alternator-amperage-wise, deep cycles are better-due to higher reserve capacity. however, a 105 amper with the 667v is more then sufficient. i prefer red tops because of the higher CCA available, & since you're running the engine & not overdrawing, you have more breathing room before voltage drops enough to lower wattage output.
as for #6, the legalities aside, FIRE due to improper installation is a possibility. make sure you are 100% sure of everything that should be done, BEFORE starting. |
Jameslarson
Junior Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 36
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 12:27 pm: |
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OK, so how about if I simply take out my old battery and replace it with a yellow top optima?
Will that be good?
If not, how about I simply install 2 brand new optima yellow tops (1 in the hood, and 1 behind the passenger seat). At this point, as Tech 833 points out this should be fine because at that point, both batteries are identical and brand new. Does this sound OK? Using 1/0 wire to hok them together? Thanks. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1164
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 3:03 pm: |
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James, Some people say use the yellow tops but the deep cyles are made for long draws of amps such as monster car audio amps. Deep cycles are made to go dead and recharged slowly. The cb amp is powered by the alternator and all the battery does is help with peaks. Get a red top. It will give those quick peaks of high power you need. Also if all your running is a single final radio of course to drive a 667 then 1 optima red top with a 105 amp alternator will work as long as your not running all the other power accesories in the car at the same time. You can use 8 gauge power cables but if you really plan on driving the amp hard then go 6 gauge.
I run a Texas Star 500 with 100 amp alternator, optima red top, 8 gauge power cables driving it with a 148 getting 500 watts. No problems at all! Also I walk the dog and been accused of being a base. Well the Predator helps too! |
Hatchet
Intermediate Member
Username: Hatchet
Post Number: 112
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 5:26 pm: |
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I agree with hotwire. A deep cycle is NOT the proper battery for your application. Your alternator will burn the deep-cycle up in a short amount of time |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2710
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 5:28 pm: |
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i've had the same problem, 'wire 
i use 'double-0' welding cable whenever possible. coincidence?  |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1171
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 10:59 am: |
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Hmmmm, now I now how you came up with 00 for sure now! Or maybe you have a smoke fobia and just wanna be on the safe side!
Ya know I will never figure out how you can solder that stuff without catching something on fire. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2717
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 6:07 pm: |
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smoke is cool...if the wattmeter was peggin' to the right. you know ya gotta do it differently next time. my wife won't ride in the truck for a week after something smokes though |
