Need help Finding the right battery.

[xxectoxx]

I have a 2001 nissian pathfinder and I recently added a sound system. Replaced all stock speakers with alpine. Replaced the dual din for a alpine full screen headunit. I also got 2 12inch subs and 2 amps to power it all. I noticed when I get to a red light or park te base causes my interior and exterior lighting to dim. I had a few people reccomend "optima" as a good brand. I wanted add that I am going to add some strobes and a lightbar, so that would draw more power as well. I called optima and they recommend a "D34" yellow top battery. Just wondering if anyone here has a crazy sound system and what battery you got? Or if anyone here has a lightbar or strobes and what did you use for that

[Chuck Tribolet]

It sounds to me like you need an alternator that has a higher output at idle RPM.

[xxectoxx]

Got any recommendations for a good alternator for my situation?

[Innovazn]

1 word.

Optima.

Specifically Yellow Top

[xxectoxx]

Yeah I mentioned earlier that I was gonna get a optima D34 yellow top battery. But just wondering now about the alternator. Also anyone here have a separate gauge for there battery levels?

[keelhaul]

optima is my first choice. Athough capacitors may be all you need to even out the electrical draw of the ampshttp://www.sonicelectronix.com/cat_i6_capacitors.html

[xxectoxx]

Accually I bought a capacitor as well and it went in with the sound system. Anyone got a separate gauge for there battery?

[GFinger]

A new battery will not do much to reduce the lights dimming. The reason your lights are dimming is because the amps are drawing too much current from the system, and the alternator isn't supplying enough current at 14.4V, so the voltage drops and your lights dim. A battery is just over 12V under normal conditions, so that won't fix your problem. Optima batteries are great batteries, and I would recommend one for other reasons, but it is not the solution to your problem.

The first thing to do is to beef up the major wires under the hood that create the electrical path from alternator to battery, and from alternator to chassis ground. Use 4ga power wire (this should be used for the sound system as well) with quality rings that are soldered to the cable. Replace the Alternator + to battery cable, the - from the battery to the chassis, and any ground wires from the engine to the chassis.

you should also change the battery terminals to better terminals that allow better connections to the system wires.

After doing that properly, you will definitely notice a difference in every aspect of the vehicle. This will ensure a proper ground path for all sensors on the car as well.

After that, add QUALITY capacitors to the system. An Alumapro 5 farad cap is good for about 2000 watts. Only buy cylindrical caps from a reputable brand. The cheap ones are not a full 1 farad, and are filled with sand to add weight.

Finally, give your amps power connections a once over, and make sure everything has a solid connection. You want as much contact from the wire to the connection as possible to ensure optimal power delivery.

Of course, the amount of power you are running has more of an effect than anything. If you are running a REAL 5000W of power, your only option is to go with a higher output alternator. Everything has to be balanced for the load you are demanding.

[Turbogst]

What he said and for a sound system get something like a Kinetik. I have always had optima, but for a sound system it works better.

[xxectoxx]

thanks GFinger for that reply, I'm going to try and tackle some of the things you mentioned this weekend.

[asnorton44]

Google "The Big Three" car audio for more info.