Adding an extra battery, need help!!!!!

[BigC]

I was just wondering some things about adding a new battery. If anyone just has a how to link that would be cool to. But i just need a basic instruction of how to wire it up. Do i just wire the amp to the extra battery in the trunk or do i hook up the battery to the existing battery under the hood or hook the extra battery to the alternator. Thanx guys!!

[timmi]

put the battery in the trunk. run a wire from the positive post on the battery in the front (or from the alternator) to the positive post on the battery in the back. connect a ground wire to the battery in the back (ground to the vehicle frame). thats it.
i suggest about 4 gauge to 1/0 gauge wire for everything.

[1louds-10]

Dont for get to fuse the back batt. right before the terminal connection on the back battery this will keep you safe in case of a short in the wire. Better safe than sorry smile.gif

[timmi]

oh yes sorry i forgot to mention fuses. you need TWO different fuses for this setup, one in the front and one in the back.

[hb]

poor little alternator....

:rolleyes:

[BigC]

What size fuse will i need. I use a 150amp fuse right now. Should i run 1/0 guage between the 2 batteries or would it help to get 2/0 guage, i run 1/0 guage from my battery to my amp already. I also will be upgrading my alternator to. Any suggestions for that as well. I have a 98' Ford ZX2

[denness544]

So there is no need for an isolator or solenoid? Without it one will I be able to listen to the system with the engine off? I heard you need an isolator to prevent the 2nd battery from draining the starting battery while engine is off, is this true??

[timmi]

it depends on your listening preferences.
if you plan on playing your system for extended amounts of time without the engine running, then yes an isolator or soleniod is something you will want. however, if you plan on only playing it while the engine is running, then there is no need for an isolator, just run them batteries in parallel.
BUT, it you do have your batteries in parallel, it is highly reccommended that you use two batteries of the same brand/same size/same age as each other. if they are different batteries, then an isolator is a good idea. or a seloniod will work too.

[bigb7000]

I am in need of extra battery power since I added the second amp. I was wondering if you parallel them that does not increase or decrease the overall voltage? I was looking at a tri-batt isolator from J.C. Whitney for $45 so I can get two 750+amp wal-mart batts to help keep my voltage from droping down to 8v per burp... Can I get two extra batts and wire them together and then have the main power wire from the batt now (2ga) go to the new batt pair first and them to the amps with out the use of a isolator this will be just for comp use only?

Thanks in advance
BigB