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Hello everyone, I wanted some opinions.
I replaced my stock battery after noticing my DIC voltage for my battery was at 11.7V while the car was off and after starting, it would never drop below 14.7V - 15.3V. I also noted the starts were getting weaker, I confirmed the battery voltage was 11.8V with my multi-meter, and I didn't like the fact my alternator was constantly charging so I made sort of a snap decision. (Rather than spending some time doing research like I should have) I bought an Everstart size H6/48 730 CCA from wal-mart while I was shopping.
After installing it, the DIC read 12.1V (car off) and 15.2V (car on) so I figured maybe it wasn't charged all the way from the store. I drove 4 hours to my parents house and 4 hours back, by the time I got back it finally dropped to 12.6V and toggled between that and 12.5V for a little while. After a couple days of relatively short trips (below 20 miles per drive) the alternator is back to charging all the time.
I am contemplating returning the Everstart and buying an Interstate battery. Unfortunately since I already traded my stock battery core to wal-mart for a $14 discount, I won't have a core to trade in on the next one. Should I bite the bullet and just upgrade to a better battery to avoid over-working my alternator? Or am I just being extremely paranoid and irrational? Is it possible my alternator is already on the way out and isn't providing enough amps to keep up?
It's worth noting I installed an after market sound system which works in the following manner: I have a main power cable connected to the main car battery. It connects to a manually switched 80 amp relay which, when energized, is used to charge a second deep cycle 36AH battery in my trunk. The second battery supplies power to the amp. (I also have a capacitor connected to the 2nd battery/amp) 70% of the time I don't flip the switch to the relay so all of my aftermarket installations are completely disconnected from the car's electrical system. I only turn the amp/subs/6x9s on when I want big sound, usually on longer trips. I may need to just upgrade the alternator to one that can provide more amps.
What are your thoughts on this situation?
Should I:
A) Get a better battery?
B) Get a better alternator?
C) Both
D) Neither
E) Shut up and stop posting
I replaced my stock battery after noticing my DIC voltage for my battery was at 11.7V while the car was off and after starting, it would never drop below 14.7V - 15.3V. I also noted the starts were getting weaker, I confirmed the battery voltage was 11.8V with my multi-meter, and I didn't like the fact my alternator was constantly charging so I made sort of a snap decision. (Rather than spending some time doing research like I should have) I bought an Everstart size H6/48 730 CCA from wal-mart while I was shopping.
After installing it, the DIC read 12.1V (car off) and 15.2V (car on) so I figured maybe it wasn't charged all the way from the store. I drove 4 hours to my parents house and 4 hours back, by the time I got back it finally dropped to 12.6V and toggled between that and 12.5V for a little while. After a couple days of relatively short trips (below 20 miles per drive) the alternator is back to charging all the time.
I am contemplating returning the Everstart and buying an Interstate battery. Unfortunately since I already traded my stock battery core to wal-mart for a $14 discount, I won't have a core to trade in on the next one. Should I bite the bullet and just upgrade to a better battery to avoid over-working my alternator? Or am I just being extremely paranoid and irrational? Is it possible my alternator is already on the way out and isn't providing enough amps to keep up?
It's worth noting I installed an after market sound system which works in the following manner: I have a main power cable connected to the main car battery. It connects to a manually switched 80 amp relay which, when energized, is used to charge a second deep cycle 36AH battery in my trunk. The second battery supplies power to the amp. (I also have a capacitor connected to the 2nd battery/amp) 70% of the time I don't flip the switch to the relay so all of my aftermarket installations are completely disconnected from the car's electrical system. I only turn the amp/subs/6x9s on when I want big sound, usually on longer trips. I may need to just upgrade the alternator to one that can provide more amps.
What are your thoughts on this situation?
Should I:
A) Get a better battery?
B) Get a better alternator?
C) Both
D) Neither
E) Shut up and stop posting
