ok so i just put a system in my car...5 way channel amp with only one 10inch sub. i was just wondering cause i've been hearing around that since honda civics have very small batteries that some kind of an upgrade should be done to the battery? i mean i'm not putting out serious power or anything but i'm just wondering if i should upgrade my batter or get it a cell backup.

 

The real question - How much power are you pushing? Whats your RMS?

I ran over 1,500 watts RMS on a budget battery in my 93 Accord. Two amps (speaker and sub), stock alternator, everything. I had some light dimming issues at night, so Igot a 1 farad cap. No problems after that.

In my Civic,just a little bit more than my previous set up,eight speakers (factory tweeters, front speakers, custom fit speakers in the back, and rear deck speakers) and a 10" RF sub. No problems, at all. I'm going to be putting in a second sub shortly.

I recently got an Optima Yellow Top. Pretty much the best battery you can get. It'll be about $160ish, plus $10 back at most places if you give them your old battery. I assume an Optima battery would work fine if you're really worried about it.

 

werd, thanks bro. i need more opinions, and i have noooo idea what amount of amps i got in it. i just junked my celica, it was in it so i took it out and put it in the honda. but i don't think it's that much bro cause it's old school. but yeah i'll see when i get a hook up with an optima battery regaurdless. but it should be fine now though right?

 

Well, do you know the names of the speakers and amps you've got? I could probably find something.... My two amplifiers are a total of 90 amps.

Regardless, yeah, it should be fine. Easiest way to check is to start your car at night, turn your lights on, and crank the stereo. If they dim, you're putting some stress on your alternator (meaning its having difficulty putting out enough power to supply the electrical system).

And I'm a girl by the way. :P

 

lol.....you should have put... the "i'm a girl" part in the begining. now i'm off track and i have to re read...why did i type that?

alright, so yes i just checked, KENWOOD KAC-859 . the speakers in the front pioneer, and back the same but different kind. and the 10inch sub is a swiss audio. =)

 

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ND6VsGb...mp;i=113KAC859


huh?!

 

Im running 1 12 inch 1000 watt rms sub, 1 300 watt rms 10 inch sub, 2 sets of 6 x 9's and 3 amps... and still running off a stock battery! I do get some light dimming issues now and again, but nothing major. If theres anything id reccomend, it would be a power cap, for 2 reasons:

1) fixes any dimming issues

2) you get a beter kick from the sub, this is because when the sub draws power off the batery it has to go all the way down through the power cable, and it cant draw the power as quickly as would be ideal. You put a power cap right next to where is drawing the power, and the power draw problem is solved!

 

A cap is not the solution to your lack of current issue. It takes power to make power. If your lights are dimming, it's because of your alternator first, then your battery. A cap is just another battery that your strugling alt. needs to keep charged. Does this make sence? A cap is a bandaid to a bigger problem.
Add up the amperage draw of your amplifiers (max draw) Your 1000 watt amp is fused at what 60, 80 amps (if your lucky), and the 300 watt amp might be fused at 25. Thats a potential of80, to 100amps. Your car at an idol with the headlight, and the heater on draw 40 or so. Now add that to the amp draw. Do you see the problem. A cap is just another strain on the alternator.It's not the batteries job to provide that, it's the job of the alternator.

 

well, i'm thinking my battery is just mental then or needs to be changed. when i came back from getting my little issue fixed. the radio was sounding like a supercharger when it was one so the guy put in a "filter" and it no longer does it. so? i don't know wtf a filter that's a few cables is...but okay, it worked. so anyways. then my car died...jumpstart and it turned on. and now it turns on and off whenever it wants A okay? i'm confused...so should i still change it? did the system drain the battery?

 

I agree with everything up to where you say a cap is just another battery. a capacitor stores static electricity. it is NOT a battery. the alternater doesn't charge a capactior, the alternater supplies current to systems while the car is running, and when your alternater has too much load, the battery is there as a cushion to supply the extra load. when it gets to the point that theres too muchload on thebattery, thats whenyour lights dim.
keep in mind this is all happening very fast. a capacitor only gives your load (amp) power when the system falls below the capacitor's charge. what a cap does iscutdown the immediate need forpower(allows your lights to stay bright and not dim).A capacitor isonly good if you have the right equipment to back it up. a high current or high output alternater is your best bet in my opinion