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bigger battery or bigger alternator?

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Old 08-18-2011 | 08:47 PM
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evogibson's Avatar
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From: butler,pa
Year: 98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.o
Default bigger battery or bigger alternator?

so i just put a sub in my jeep to round out my stereo. the amp is only 140 watts, but when it hits, my lights dim. so do i need a bigger battery or a bigger alternator? my battery is in the upper 300's for CCA, and i have hte stock alternator. if i need a new alternator, im planning the yj bracket swap to get it away from all the mud and water.
Old 08-18-2011 | 08:50 PM
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300CCA is way low even for a stock XJ.
You need both!
Don't they make some sort of capacitor for subs?
Old 08-18-2011 | 08:52 PM
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From: Hell, CA
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
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Costco's Kirkland Signature 800CCA/1000CA battery, under 100$ best warranty
Old 08-18-2011 | 08:52 PM
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From: Southern oregon
Year: 1987
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Engine: 89 4.0l swap
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Originally Posted by lynskynbnd
300CCA is way low even for a stock XJ.
You need both!
Don't they make some sort of capacitor for subs?
X2 the one i got from costco has 1000ca, you need to replace your battery, the jeep will thank you better.
Old 08-18-2011 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by lynskynbnd
300CCA is way low even for a stock XJ.
OEM battery specs:
Cold Cranking Amperage 500 Reserve Capacity 110 Minutes Ampere-Hours 60 Load Test Amperage 250
Old 08-18-2011 | 09:00 PM
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From: Griffin, G.A.
Year: 1990
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0 I6
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you just need a capacitor man... stock batteris and alternators work plenty for even extra offroad lights and a winch on top of your sub... almost all sub systems need a capacitor...
Old 08-18-2011 | 09:05 PM
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From: Southern oregon
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Im running two 350w pioneer tens in a box on a 500 amp, no capacitor and 8 off road lights. Never dimmed a headlight before, pr any of my lights for that matter, even with everything on IMO, dont spend a crapton of cash on a cap when a battery is a better solution.
Old 08-18-2011 | 10:15 PM
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From: Griffin, G.A.
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Originally Posted by FiftySix56
Im running two 350w pioneer tens in a box on a 500 amp, no capacitor and 8 off road lights. Never dimmed a headlight before, pr any of my lights for that matter, even with everything on IMO, dont spend a crapton of cash on a cap when a battery is a better solution.

i said stock batteries though which he needs to try and fix first...
Old 08-18-2011 | 10:21 PM
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From: Southern oregon
Year: 1987
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Originally Posted by huntingman2706217

i said stock batteries though which he needs to try and fix first...
Hmm yeah true.
Old 08-19-2011 | 09:04 PM
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From: Elizabethtown, pa
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
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Yeah, get a good battery (Love optima red top), Re do you main grounds, and upgrade wire running from battery to alt if you can easily (never done this on jeep) BUT when I upgrade the wire going to the bat and alt of my grand prix I got .6 volts higher at batt. while it was running.
Old 08-19-2011 | 10:15 PM
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From: Chattanooga
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Im running 700 ccas...seems fine with hellas and decent lcd indash
Old 08-19-2011 | 10:59 PM
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From: butler,pa
Year: 98
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looks like i gotta save u a lil while and just upgrade everythign all at once.
Old 08-19-2011 | 11:17 PM
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From: lewisberry PA
Year: 96
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Like others have stated a capacitor will solve your problem but it dosent hurt to upgrade battery to. My buddy has a optima yellow top in his escape that has 2 jl 10" and a 600 watt amp and his lights still dim when it hits. After he put the cap in no more dim. Some people get lucky and they can get away with no cap but if you have a sub its just general concensious to run a cap also. Less strain on the whole electrical system then also since the voltage wont be spiking up and down from the sub pounding
Old 08-20-2011 | 01:04 AM
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From: butler,pa
Year: 98
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the paln is next pay check to buy this
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...BBV#fragment-4
Old 08-20-2011 | 01:07 AM
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From: southern indiana
Year: 92
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I'm running a nice boat battery does a great job


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