20 replies to this topic

[Ruckus]

thanks for that Ruckus...thats a shame, been thinking of soo many different ways to go about powering this install, may just look into running two batteries parallel....trying to avoid split charge at all costs

Why avoid a split charge setup?

[shivi_d92]

as much as people rate them, theyre known for a loss in voltage...of course its all about how you set it up but after talking with a few friends who have taken their installs to next levels, they both said avoid split charge and just run the same batteries in parallel

but obviously by having a bigger alternator would make the powering of the install that bit more efficient

[Ruckus]

Ok but remember that your poor little 45amp alt is not designed to produced 45amp all the time. And once you run down BOTH batteries that little alt is going to have to do a LOT of charging to get them 100% again.

I burnt out the stock 90amp alt in one day with just one Exide 900DC, as it was so flat (10.2 volts) it took hours to charge it, I was also running the system at the same time. Poor alt didn't stand a chance (not driving = air flow = hot hot hot)..
You can get Split charging kits that have a over ride switch to link the batteries if wanted or select which one gets charged.

All that said I'm currently running 2 Exide's in parallel, but going to put in a 200amp breaker so I can separate the batteries.

So it will work like this

Before going to anywhere where I will run the system stationary for any length of time both batteries will be fully charged.
I have a C-tek charger with a linkup cable under the car permantly wired in so I can just plug it and leave it changing.

While driving both batteries will be left linked in.

When running the system stationary for any length of time I will break the breaker, this leaves the system running off the slave battery only, and the cars other systems still linked to the main battery.
As the main battery has not been used it should be 100% (my headunit does not need the ignition on) and re-linking the batteries (when I'm about to drive again) will be safe as it will only be one that needs charge.

Simple and if I ever do need to run both in parallel I can.

[shivi_d92]

lol as confusing as that looks i get what you mean by it being simple...i'm also getting a ctek charger and at the very moment running the whole system off of my yellow top 5.5 (8051-187) and my alternator is the 70amp as ive got a spi

im going to run it all off of the one battery temporarily whilst i get the build up and look at upgrading power soon....just wish i could of got a bigger alternator though

[Brams96]

HERE's an 80-100Amp intelligent split charging relay kit if anyone is interested?

[joakwin]

i stuck a gm cs-130 alt on mine, had to re-clock the face of the alt so it could bolt up to the mini mounts,
changed the serp pulley to the stock mini pulley,
changed the wiring from the mini to the gm alt, upgrade to a 4ga wire off the alt

105amps at 14.6volts is what the alt is putting out right now

but i do have a 200amp alt that im gonna put on later down the road, ones i get the car closer to being on the road

i have seen the alts built up to 300amp units