Just installed Optima Red Top and.....
Guest
Posts: n/a
Just installed Optima Red Top and.....
I'm seeing a drop in my readings. I removed a (still in good condition) Westco SVR Audio Series Battery and I was getting a reading in the DIC of 13.5 to 13.9 with just the engine and A/C running. Turn on the Stereo with Sub crankin and it would drop to about 13.2 average with some dips into the mid 12's. Now with the brand new Optima Red Top installed I get a reading of no higher than 13.2 with just engine running...turn on the A/C and Stereo and crank the sub and it hangs around 12.6 on the DIC with dips into the mid 11's.
Is this not a good battery for large AMP powered stereo systems?
Was my Westco the Shiznit? (Still have it in the garage
)
Am I being to picky?
Check in Optima users and let me know what you think about this...
TIA!
Is this not a good battery for large AMP powered stereo systems?
Was my Westco the Shiznit? (Still have it in the garage
)Am I being to picky?
Check in Optima users and let me know what you think about this...
TIA!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 2
From: Wesley Chapel Fl
You really need a bigger alternator to handle the current demands of your system. The alternator is only designed to provide enough current to run the factory electronics and charge the battery..you have overloaded the alternator. First thing is to upgrade the power wire going from the battery to the alternator and then upgrade wires. There is one from the battery to the engine block, battery to chassis, and one from block to chassis. Upgrade all of those and you will have alot less of a voltage drop.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 203
Likes: 12
From: Caldwell Texas
That seems a bit low. I just went out and checked mine, and at idle, it shows 14.1-14.2. I bought my '01 Z back in Sept. Only had 2900 miles on it. I noticed the battery was low when I stopped to get fuel. It turned over slow. When I got home I put a charger on it for about an hour and checked the voltage of the battery. It was only around 11.5. Battery was bad. I went a bought a Optima Red Top. That was the battery that was in my previous two C5's. Haven't had a problem since. Fire it up and while at idle, use a volt meter and check to see if you have about 14.0 . Just touch the leads of the meter to the posts of the battery. Should be 13.8 to 14.3 or there abouts. Your alt. might be going bad.
Daryl (cwmoss)
Daryl (cwmoss)
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by EatRice
You really need a bigger alternator to handle the current demands of your system. The alternator is only designed to provide enough current to run the factory electronics and charge the battery..you have overloaded the alternator. First thing is to upgrade the power wire going from the battery to the alternator and then upgrade wires. There is one from the battery to the engine block, battery to chassis, and one from block to chassis. Upgrade all of those and you will have alot less of a voltage drop.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks for the tips...but as you can see I have some SERIOUS cable running already, Altenator tests at 14.0. Could this be a bad battery?
I should probably go to Pep Boys (where I bought it) and see what they say?
keep the comments coming..
Last edited by DRKMATTER; Dec 27, 2004 at 07:34 AM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by dajael
Thanks for the tips...but as yo can see I have some SERIOUS cable running already, Altenator tests at 14.0. Could this be a bad battery? The owner before me put the system in the car...he spent about $5,000 on it (amp, sub 1-10", enclosure, mid range speakers and deck) He might have upgraded the altenator at the time...I really don't know? It was a former Chicago Bear..."supposedly".
I should probably go to Pep Boys (where I bought it) and see what they say?
keep the comments coming..
I should probably go to Pep Boys (where I bought it) and see what they say?
keep the comments coming..
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