Hello...
I'm going to post this question in several catagories so that I can get the best number of responses possible.
Here's my specific situation:
I have a '96 Nissan Sentra with a stock 75 amp alternator. I'm presently geting ready to install a Cobra XL-450 amplifier to run behind my Lincoln radio. The amp pulls 40 amps.
In the past, I have fried several alternators after a couple of years of regular use of smaller amps (also in Nissan Sentras), albeit older models. I'd like a bulletproof setup, even if it is slightly overkill, because I don't want any additional headaches in the future. If the smaller amps eventually toasted the alternator, this one probably will too. What I'd like is some more capacity.
I need to know if adding a second battery in the trunk is the best way to go, short of adding a bigger alternator. If so, how EXACTLY do I wire this system? Do I merely run a heavy cable from the positive battery post on the battery in the engine compartment to the positive battery post on the battery in the rear? And then run a short heavy cable from the negative post (on the trunk battery) to the nearest ground in the trunk?
If so, I assume that I then simply run an adequately sized set of power leads from the trunk battery to the amplifier. Correct?
Also, would it behoove me to piggy back the power lead coming from my positive output on my alternator to the positve terminal on the original (engine compartment) battery? And then also piggy back the negative terminal from the alternator to the nearest ground? Any special considerations here?
Which would be the cheaper way to go? Extra battery (and related accessories), or bigger alternator?
Which way is the best?
Thanks for any help you can offer. Please give the most thoughtful advice you can, because I'll be using it!
I'm going to post this question in several catagories so that I can get the best number of responses possible.
Here's my specific situation:
I have a '96 Nissan Sentra with a stock 75 amp alternator. I'm presently geting ready to install a Cobra XL-450 amplifier to run behind my Lincoln radio. The amp pulls 40 amps.
In the past, I have fried several alternators after a couple of years of regular use of smaller amps (also in Nissan Sentras), albeit older models. I'd like a bulletproof setup, even if it is slightly overkill, because I don't want any additional headaches in the future. If the smaller amps eventually toasted the alternator, this one probably will too. What I'd like is some more capacity.
I need to know if adding a second battery in the trunk is the best way to go, short of adding a bigger alternator. If so, how EXACTLY do I wire this system? Do I merely run a heavy cable from the positive battery post on the battery in the engine compartment to the positive battery post on the battery in the rear? And then run a short heavy cable from the negative post (on the trunk battery) to the nearest ground in the trunk?
If so, I assume that I then simply run an adequately sized set of power leads from the trunk battery to the amplifier. Correct?
Also, would it behoove me to piggy back the power lead coming from my positive output on my alternator to the positve terminal on the original (engine compartment) battery? And then also piggy back the negative terminal from the alternator to the nearest ground? Any special considerations here?
Which would be the cheaper way to go? Extra battery (and related accessories), or bigger alternator?
Which way is the best?
Thanks for any help you can offer. Please give the most thoughtful advice you can, because I'll be using it!