Battery questions
04-28-2011, 01:04 AM
#1
Battery questions
So I've been planning to upgrade my batteries, and been acting like little girl about choosing. The goal is three new batteries, one starter and two in the trunk.
First off, why does everyone hate Yellowtops? Or Optimas in general for that matter.
Second, I've read that mixing battery types (gel cell, AGM etc) is bad, but is it bad to have a deep cycle battery as a starting battery vs a regular starting battery (for arguments sake, two yellow and one red top)?
I've been trying to figure this out for a while now, and originally I was planning to do a costco run and get them there, but I think I may make a trip to crosstown and see what they have, or go with some C & D batts in the back with a smaller one up front, or some combo depending on the answers to these questions.
I guess I should also add that the system will hopefully be between 3-4k, so we can ball park it at say 3500 if I plan to amp my mids and highs, so if you guys have any other suggestions, like maybe 1 big *** battery then let me know.
Thanks fellas
First off, why does everyone hate Yellowtops? Or Optimas in general for that matter.
Second, I've read that mixing battery types (gel cell, AGM etc) is bad, but is it bad to have a deep cycle battery as a starting battery vs a regular starting battery (for arguments sake, two yellow and one red top)?
I've been trying to figure this out for a while now, and originally I was planning to do a costco run and get them there, but I think I may make a trip to crosstown and see what they have, or go with some C & D batts in the back with a smaller one up front, or some combo depending on the answers to these questions.
I guess I should also add that the system will hopefully be between 3-4k, so we can ball park it at say 3500 if I plan to amp my mids and highs, so if you guys have any other suggestions, like maybe 1 big *** battery then let me know.
Thanks fellas
Last edited by fresh1; 04-28-2011 at 01:42 AM.
04-28-2011, 09:22 AM
#2
dont mix regular batts and dry/gel cells.
but as long as the batts are same type and age you should not really have any issues.
like they might not live as long as if they were all identical batts but you wont run into any major problems.
yellowtops are good batts. esp the G31 model.
but as long as the batts are same type and age you should not really have any issues.
like they might not live as long as if they were all identical batts but you wont run into any major problems.
yellowtops are good batts. esp the G31 model.
04-28-2011, 09:46 AM
#3
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 189
Xspower makes some nice batteries aswell. One d3100 in the trunk and one 3400 under hood would do you quite well.
I am curious as to why i should not have a dry cell in the trunk and just your regular car battery under the hood, I didnt know this was not such a good idea.
I am curious as to why i should not have a dry cell in the trunk and just your regular car battery under the hood, I didnt know this was not such a good idea.
05-03-2011, 09:26 PM
#5
Here's a silly question.
If you're looking to compare a few different batteries but no two companies have the exact same stats, is it a good idea to compare batteries of similar weights or other physical characteristics?
Also, would 3 batteries be too much? I'm thinking of going with the biggest I can fit under the hood and two in the back, but maybe one big *** one in the back will suffice?
That seems to be the consensus so I think I might try that out (I think that might be a little cheaper too, which is always good)
If you're looking to compare a few different batteries but no two companies have the exact same stats, is it a good idea to compare batteries of similar weights or other physical characteristics?
Also, would 3 batteries be too much? I'm thinking of going with the biggest I can fit under the hood and two in the back, but maybe one big *** one in the back will suffice?
That seems to be the consensus so I think I might try that out (I think that might be a little cheaper too, which is always good)
Last edited by fresh1; 05-03-2011 at 09:56 PM.
05-03-2011, 09:58 PM
#6
Oh, I'm also thinking of beefing up the alternator but the vehicle may or may not make it through the summer so I'm trying to wait on that option, which is why I thought 3 would be better than 2.
05-05-2011, 03:36 AM
#10
Yankee
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
is it BAD to mix batteries... nothing BAD will happen, but...
is it recommended to mix batteries... NO it is not
batteries of different frame sizes behave differently, the bigger ones discharge more slowly as they carry more potential energy so mixing battery frame sizes tends to be no better IN SOME situations than a single battery. But adding the extra battery will overall increase the available power, it might not be as usable as you would think though... you wont get all your moneys worth
batteries of different designs behave differently, certain batteries charge very fast and are very food at producing large amounts of current for SPL burps or starting a car. Other batteries tend to fall into the 'deep cell' category where they produce a reasonable amount of power for a long time with the engine off. Those two basic concepts are what people design their high performance car audio electrical system for (usually one or the other).
It is a good engineering practice to not mix batteries of different constructions (AGM, wett cell, or gel cell) for the above reasons and it is a good practice to use the same frame size. Mixing batteries will potentially shorten the life of both batteries (uneven charge discharge performance and will most likely overcharge one) while not optimizing performance. If you are spending several hundred for each battery it makes sense to optimize its performance.
