Battery?

[579]

O.k. My setup in the truck on an ampprobe draws around 50 amps. I have a 130 amp alternator, and my truck charges at 14.5 volts. When I modulate, the voltage drops to 13.7 volts. All lights dim, and truck idle drops when modulating. I only have one 700cca battery. What could I do to stop the voltage drop?

[579]

I forgot to mention, that I have # 1 awg welding cable running from the battery to the amp. It's about 7' long.

[Texas Mobil 219]

External Grounds. Radio, Amp, Antenna bracket.

Take a 12g wire and run ground wire and ground it all off to the frame and see if that helps.

[wrong way]

I think that kind of voltage drop is not bad thats what I get (exactly) when my alt is spinnin good (kicked on 1500 rmp or so) when not spinnin good down to like 12.8 and I have a 120 AMP alt running only my 1x4 off of a single red top optima. I wouldnt worry bout that a little of a voltage drop it is to be expected under a load, the only thing that might help is get a couple 800+cca batts (new same type) run them togather to battle that voltage drop. but hey I wouldnt worry bout that. IMHO its fine. Wrong Way.

[yota167]

I think that kind of voltage drop is not bad thats what I get (exactly) when my alt is spinnin good (kicked on 1500 rmp or so) when not spinnin good down to like 12.8 and I have a 120 AMP alt running only my 1x4 off of a single red top optima. I wouldnt worry bout that a little of a voltage drop it is to be expected under a load, the only thing that might help is get a couple 800+cca batts (new same type) run them togather to battle that voltage drop. but hey I wouldnt worry bout that. IMHO its fine. Wrong Way.

^ Yep what WrongWay said. I used to run a 5pill off of a 85 amp alt and single batt. I experianced voltage drop down to 11.3. Lights would dim pretty bad but suprisingly that fatboy 1x4 would still show PEP 630+ watts with that **Censored** of a power supply going to it. Granted it wouldn't hold 630 watts PEP for much longer than 10 or so seconds but long enough to make a name for myself and get into plenty of trouble. I Talked skip all over the world in that run-down old mobile. I'd say your in good shape unless your setting up for a competition rig.

[jessejamesdallas]

Yep...Add another battery...But be sure it's just like the one you have already, so they will charge equally. (same cca)

[Twink]

800 cca? that's a little low isn't it? i'm not sure, but when i was battery shopping, i was looking at ones with over 1000. again, i'm not sure.


and correct me if i'm wrong, but 1awg is HUGE! my amp draws 50 and i'm running 6awg and it does fine. never hurts to have more than needed though. i guess if you get a bigger amp, you've already got the wire for it. not trying to hate on ya, just thought i'd throw that in

[jessejamesdallas]

800 cca? that's a little low isn't it? i'm not sure, but when i was battery shopping, i was looking at ones with over 1000. again, i'm not sure.


and correct me if i'm wrong, but 1awg is HUGE! my amp draws 50 and i'm running 6awg and it does fine. never hurts to have more than needed though. i guess if you get a bigger amp, you've already got the wire for it. not trying to hate on ya, just thought i'd throw that in

Heck Twink...I use 1 AWG Cable just to run the speakers on my stereo!...The CB AMP's all have .02 AWG Welding Cable! Got to get off the pond with that 6 awg stuff!

[Texas Mobil 219]

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The red wire going to the 200 amp relay is #4 awg High Amp Tansfer cable. Same as the wire going into the ground block then over to the amp.
All this is coming of 2 1000 cca batteries from the back. There being feed by a 100 amp altenator and a 800cca battery in the front.

My amp draws 57 amps on a key and my voltage drops from 14.2 to 13.1 at idle. And rolling down the road it will only drop to 13.9 on a key.

IMO multiple batteries with a high cca is the way to go.

[yota167]

800 cca? that's a little low isn't it? i'm not sure, but when i was battery shopping, i was looking at ones with over 1000. again, i'm not sure.


and correct me if i'm wrong, but 1awg is HUGE! my amp draws 50 and i'm running 6awg and it does fine. never hurts to have more than needed though. i guess if you get a bigger amp, you've already got the wire for it. not trying to hate on ya, just thought i'd throw that in

Heck Twink...I use 1 AWG Cable just to run the speakers on my stereo!...The CB AMP's all have .02 AWG Welding Cable! Got to get off the pond with that 6 awg stuff!

Gawd dang JJD. How the devil do you get that big diamter wire through the firewall?!? Bring in the big hole saw eh?

[579]

Hey no problem Twink. My old man owns a welding shop, so I have easy access to the stuff.

[Double J]

Ok, I need help
I have my radio in a mount that I just grounded to the truck floorboard, then I grounded my antenna mount to my I-beam frame under the truck, in front the solenoid is grounded to the body from the battery and the engine battery are grounded....
After grounding the antenna mount to the I-beam it seems like I have a directional antenna when I turn my truck......Is this possible?

My next set of questions is about what I will need to run a "Sweet 16 Amp" in the truck.
High output alternator?
Dual alternators?
Dual batteries?


Also looked at Gator Amps 8 pill ( approx same )

Double J

[MECHMAN]

Voltage drop occurs any time you have an amperage deficit. (any time you are using more current than what the alternator can produce at a given time) Adding batteries will only increase the amount of time you can run at a deficit before voltage drops to an in-operable level. Increasing alternator output is the only way to maintain voltage above battery voltage (12.8 - 13.0 volts) We manufacture adjustable voltage, higher output alternators so that you can maintain voltage anywhere you want, most people run them at 15.0V on a 12 volt battery for optimum amp efficiency.

Adding battery capacity will lessen spikes and dips in voltage, but for extended use they are only a band-aid fix for not enough alternator amperage .

Mech

[Twink]

800 cca? that's a little low isn't it? i'm not sure, but when i was battery shopping, i was looking at ones with over 1000. again, i'm not sure.


and correct me if i'm wrong, but 1awg is HUGE! my amp draws 50 and i'm running 6awg and it does fine. never hurts to have more than needed though. i guess if you get a bigger amp, you've already got the wire for it. not trying to hate on ya, just thought i'd throw that in

Heck Twink...I use 1 AWG Cable just to run the speakers on my stereo!...The CB AMP's all have .02 AWG Welding Cable! Got to get off the pond with that 6 awg stuff!

yeah, i upgraded to 4ga fine stuff... happy JJD? and i forgot to add, i get similar voltage drop too from my 1x2