question...

question...

whats the pro's and con's of using a seperate battery to power my subs & amp?

Pro's

-An additional battery pretty much eliminates the need for any capacitors meaning your lights won't dim and your system will play better and louder. Better power delivery is usually better for your equipment as well.

-If you use a battery isolator, your stereo will not draw current from the engine battery when the car is off, meaning you can play your music as loud as you want while sitting in a parking lot with the car off without worrying about not being able to start your car when you leave.

-If you install an alarm, thieves cannot just cut the battery wire under your hood to make it shut up.

-some people will think that it is cool that you have 2 batteries

Con's

-batteries weigh a lot (68lbs for an Optima Yellow top)

-a good dry cell battery is not cheap ($180 for an Optima Yellow top)

-if you do not use a dry cell battery (like an Optima Yellow top), you will need to vent and isolate the battery to prevent spillage and fires

-if you have a system that draws enough current to necessitate another battery, you will put excessive strain on your stock alternator which may result in premature failure

-if you do not have the same type of battery in the front as well as the back of the car you could have charging problems which could ruin one of the batteries which means you will have to buy two of the same (2 Optima Yellow tops = $360)

-hooking it up right is expensive ($100 in extra wiring, $50-300 for a good battery isolator, however much the materials cost you to mount it in the trunk, etc.)

As I actually have two Optima Yellow tops in my car (one under the hood and one in the trunk) I have been through all of this and I can say that I am glad I have both but hate the extra weight and cost that came with it. But alas that is a sacrifice I am currently willing to make to have an 1600watt $9000 stereo (including install) that plays loud and clean without dimming my lights and keeps my alarm going when the under hood battery's wires are cut.

Just curious.... do you have the alarm powered by the battery in the trunk?

Actually, because of the way the batteries are hooked up, both batteries power the alarm. They are hooked up so that either battery could start the car or run the electronics (ie, alarm) if the other one is cut or craps out.