I'm thinking about picking up another battery. I hear its pretty simple to instal. You need an isolator and a battery box. I think Im going to build the battery box and carpet it, but I have power wire running from the + on my battery up front to the rear of my amp. Could I just splice an isolator say about 12" away from my new battery and then connect the wire that was coming from up front to the + terminal on the battery in the back, and then take a wire from the negative part of the battery and ground it to the chassi, the same as I did for my ground? Would this help my lights from dimming as much as they do now? Would it help it, so I wouldn't have to jump my car if one battery died?
the thing is, I can't even get 1 strang of 1/0 wire hidden, let alone a second one..... Isnt the front battery already grounded, and can't I just ground the rear one? What would happen if I didn't do it how chadLee did it, because I just wouldn't be able to hide it. Suggestions?
I am on a very tight budget, and I wouldn't be able to run the negative to the back without not hiding the wire there.. Is 2 batteries without running the negative to the back better than just 1 battery up front?
I found this diagram on BCAE1, and they dont say anything about running a ground to the back as well. Even though it would help, it must not be CRUCIAL. According to this diagram, I would need another inline fuse close to the battery in the trunk as well. Does it have to be the same size as the one up front? The one upfront is an ANL Inline with a 250a fuse. Should this be the same for the one in the trunk, and should I also use 1/0 Gauge wiring in the trunk as well? Thanks in advanced.
Also, could this way (without an isolator) kill my alternator, since it is only stock 110a and it will be trying to recharge both batteries? Would this essentially be worthless without a bigger alternator or without an isolator?
Charlie, on the same site, bcae1.com, it should also have a diagram with isolator. If you're lazy, then you can do what lot people do, that is run it without an isolator. Sure it's easier cause all it takes is extra power wire. In fact, lot of the idiot mechanics here say the same thing, "slap on extra battery and it'll solve all your power problem, don't need HO alternator at all." So you be the judget. I would recommmend isolator/relay in multi battery setup. The ground wire is not required unless you're drawing more than 125A. The car's chassis is equal to 4ga power wire. If you'll be using isolator, then insert the item right after the alternator in your diagram. Then from there, battery 1 and 2. If you think about it, it's not that hard.
I guess im just a lazy fu*k and dont wan't to pay someone labor fees to take out my alternator and hook up the wire for the isolator, because like I said before, I can not reach my alternator, so that's why I was looking for a way around it.
Well then you don't have much choice. Follow the bcae1.com instruction and use the chassis for ground. Remember, with audio install, it's a one time fee/expense.
