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eldiente
Newbie
Joined: 21 Sep 2003
Posts: 30
City: Idaho
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 Posted: Mar 03, 2004 2:24 pm Post subject: Extra battery isolator/capacitator? |
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OK, I'm adding an extra battery for my stereo setup and have heard people talk about what I believe was a isolator and a capacitator set-up. I'm a newbie to this and need to know what I need, what will work ok and what I don't need. I'm running 5 pairs of 6.5" and one 10" sub(150 rms). I really don't plan on running the speakers when the boat is not running, or even moving, only when we switch riders. How extensive is an isolator, how does it work, and what kind to look for. (if I'm even calling it the right name).
As for the capacitator I think I understand what it is, do I need one? if i do is a 1 farad or a 2 farad ok, do you need the digital print out. thanks in advance! Is there anything else I would need for my battery set-up that I haven't listed. I really hate going to the car audio places, till I know what I need because I feel like they are trying to have me get about three times what I need. You guys are great here, thanks
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BigDeal
Soul Rider
Joined: 18 Oct 2003
Posts: 477
City: Orlando
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| Posted: Mar 03, 2004 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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Here's the isolator (or relay) I've got separating/connecting the two batteries in my boat.
http://www.darvex.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SR200&Category_Code=
Easy DIY install if you're at all handy. I don't utilize a Perko switch in addition to this isolator (like some others on the site do), so my investment was pretty light.
If you really think you're running out of power to feed your stereo setup, I'd recommend looking into a larger alternator before going the Cap route. I have a 110 amp aftermarket alternator (replacing a 52 amp stock one) in my boat, along with a yellow top Optima battery that powered 8 pairs of speakers and a sub through two amps (somewhere around 1400 watts max). I've had no power problems at all, and I have some extra capacity left over for any new additions I may want to add down the road.
Good luck.
MT.
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eldiente
Newbie
Joined: 21 Sep 2003
Posts: 30
City: Idaho
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| Posted: Mar 03, 2004 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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| what does a perko switch do?
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BigDeal
Soul Rider
Joined: 18 Oct 2003
Posts: 477
City: Orlando
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| Posted: Mar 03, 2004 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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| eldiente wrote: | | what does a perko switch do? |
A Perko battery switch is simply a manual switch that when installed, allows you to switch (manually) between two battery banks. When installed, the isolator I noted in my original post (and that I have in my boat) will automatically:
1 - Allow both batteries connected through it to fully recharge when the ignition switch is on and the motor's running, and,
2 - Separate your starting battery from your stereo system / accessories battery when the ignition switch is turned off.
Personally, I see little benefit to having a Perko switch in addition to an isolator, in my boat. Others may however disagree with that comment.
-Mike-
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eldiente
Newbie
Joined: 21 Sep 2003
Posts: 30
City: Idaho
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| Posted: Mar 03, 2004 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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| thanks, without the perko switch, I assume that both batteries can still recharge, but that you could drain both batteries if the ignition switch is off. Out of curiousity about how long would that take with some yellow or blue top batteries?
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jvanick
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Joined: 12 Jan 2003
Posts: 892
City: Fox River, Illinois
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| Posted: Mar 04, 2004 5:29 am Post subject: |
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you'll want a cap sometime down the road if you're bumping a lot of bass...
the cap helps to smooth out the power going to the amp when the amp needs more instantaneous power.
The other cool thing about having the cap is when the amp is really bumping, the lights won't dim on the louder hits.
-J
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BigDeal
Soul Rider
Joined: 18 Oct 2003
Posts: 477
City: Orlando
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| Posted: Mar 04, 2004 9:05 am Post subject: |
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| eldiente wrote: | | thanks, without the perko switch, I assume that both batteries can still recharge, but that you could drain both batteries if the ignition switch is off. Out of curiousity about how long would that take with some yellow or blue top batteries? |
Given the setup we've been dicussing, you could only drain both batteries if the motor is running and you had an alternator failure, which is not very likely. When the ignition switch is off, the batteries are physically separated through the isolator, so it would be impossible to kill both batteries.
If you had both batteries in hand along with the cables, terminals and isolator, you could probably do the install in an hour or so.
-Mike-
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BigDeal
Soul Rider
Joined: 18 Oct 2003
Posts: 477
City: Orlando
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| Posted: Mar 04, 2004 9:14 am Post subject: |
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| jvanick wrote: | you'll want a cap sometime down the road if you're bumping a lot of bass...
the cap helps to smooth out the power going to the amp when the amp needs more instantaneous power.
The other cool thing about having the cap is when the amp is really bumping, the lights won't dim on the louder hits.
-J |
I'd like to add one comment to your post. Caps do work exactly as you've noted, and they definitely have a place in 'some' systems, but unless you have several large subs and a couple class D amps powering them, a larger alternator (with adequate capacity) would supply all the power the system needs. The larger alternator would also be of benefit if you decide to add a light bar or other electrical accessories down the road. To me, the route to supplying juice to a system is: 1 - Optima Deep Cycle battery, 2 - Larger amperage alternator, and then 3 - caps to support massive amounts of bass if you have it.
This isn't offered as a flame, just simply as another opinion.
-Mike-
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jvanick
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Joined: 12 Jan 2003
Posts: 892
City: Fox River, Illinois
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| Posted: Mar 04, 2004 9:56 am Post subject: |
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Mike... I appreciate the clarification... I'm still learning about all this extra power for stereo stuff myself.
-J
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eldiente
Newbie
Joined: 21 Sep 2003
Posts: 30
City: Idaho
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| Posted: Mar 04, 2004 11:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Mike, I just bought that isolator and I got a blue top battery. what cables and terminals do I need to get to hook it all up. thanks Will take a few days to get here and would like to have everything ready if possible to install.
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eldiente
Newbie
Joined: 21 Sep 2003
Posts: 30
City: Idaho
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| Posted: Mar 04, 2004 11:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Mike, I just bought that isolator and I got a blue top battery. what cables and terminals do I need to get to hook it all up. thanks Will take a few days to get here and would like to have everything ready if possible to install.
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JR
Soul Rider
Joined: 14 Dec 2003
Posts: 473
City: ATX
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