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When would be the time to upgrade battery power?

adamforsythe

adamforsythe

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Back before I did all of this work with my k5. I had 4 fog (more like flood lights) in my grill. When I would turn them on I would noticed my interior and normal lights would go kinda dull. Not so much to where I would be scared by it just noticeable. I'm planning on adding two/three/ or even all four behind my grill and I want to add 1 or 2 lights in back for when I'm backing up. I don't need balls to the wall lighting just enough to see 20' behind me. But would it be a good Idea to install another battery? Maby dual alt.? Are dual alt. even needed? How would I hook it up? I'm all ready running a different fuse box and circuits for my after market goodies I know on my old F-250 diesel that positive on the drivers side hooked up to the positive on the pass side. I'm not sure where the neg. went maby to the frame?
Sorry for the question I'm learning about electrical stuff as I go.
Thanks
Adam
 
Probably don't need another battery as much as you need another alternator. Do a search for "Alternator" and you'll run across lots of posts about upgrading your alt. It will also include plenty of info on batteries as well;)
 
I have been searching and reading, searching and reading.
Thanks for the info.

BKinzey said:
Probably don't need another battery as much as you need another alternator. Do a search for "Alternator" and you'll run across lots of posts about upgrading your alt. It will also include plenty of info on batteries as well;)
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I was just thinking I really don't like the idea of having dual alts......Well it's a good idea don't get me wrong. I really don't want to have to make a bracket and run yet another belt off from my engine. I will price everything out and ask a few more questions here and there. Hey maby I will get hooked onto the dual alt idea. Keep the info coming guys.:D
Thanks
Adam
 
You don't need more battery, you need more alternator. You don't need 2 alternators just a higher output alternator. Stock alternators are about 60amp, you can mount a 140 amp alt in your truck pretty easy. That should take care of your power needs for lights and such. If you were doing alot of heavy winching you would need more battery, but for lights and stuff that should all be handled by the alt.

Harley
 
I started planning my battery upgrade when mine was stolen:doah:.

I prolly should update my alt at the same time since I will be adding lights on each tire also.

Sorry for the hijack

Dik
 
definitely up on the alternator....

search pontiac transsport
1994 I think is when they started...
I am going to convert my truck eventually but then need a bigger battery isolator...

more batteries will just let you use the lights longer until they die out...


I have 2 x 1000ca duralast golds under the hood for the truck
2 x 1300ca rig batteries (each is the size of 2 so it is HUGE) for my rear mount winch... I expect to be able to pull myself out of a mudhole even if I loose power to the truck......:wink1:

I havent had the oppertunity to test it yet :D
 
search the pontiac transport alt like mentioned. The rear AC models have 140 amp alts and are easy to install. You can go down to Azone and buy one new for less then the summit alt you have listed and get a warranty on it.

Harley
 
i'll take a little detour from the direction everyone is heading for a second. what's the condition of your wires? when i replaced my negative (ground) wire for the battery, it fixed a similar problem to yours. now, i can turn on all of my 420 watts of lights (55x2 headlights, 100x2 offroad lights, 55x2 backup/loading lights) with no problem, engine on or off.
 
Both my + and - wires are new and good...new battery new (freebe) alt.
Thanks
Adam
vortec said:
i'll take a little detour from the direction everyone is heading for a second. what's the condition of your wires? when i replaced my negative (ground) wire for the battery, it fixed a similar problem to yours. now, i can turn on all of my 420 watts of lights (55x2 headlights, 100x2 offroad lights, 55x2 backup/loading lights) with no problem, engine on or off.
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