Is it worth adding a second battery or alternator?

[asilentfire 10+ year member]

I have a 1800 Watt Planet Audio AC1800.5 5 channel amp, with around 1200 RMS, and I have a Planet Audio 3.5 farad capacitor, but I am waiting on speaker wire so I have not installed the system yet.

I am thinking of getting a Kinetik Khc1200 battery (1200 watts), but whats all the fuss about isolators and relays? Do I need a better alternator?

I have a 1997 Mustang, and my speakers will be using around 650 RMS.

Thanks!

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[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

First, I think you have high hopes for that amp. They work pretty good, but still your assumption on power output is off.

Secondly there is no need for a second alternator for such a small setup. It is possible you may need to upgrade your stock alt, but not add another. Replacing the battery under your hood would help as well.

 

[RangerDangerV2 5,000+ posts]

depending on your battery bank and alternator, I see no need for anyone to do a dual alt setup until they hit the 10k mark, but again this is dependent on your batt bank and current alternator.

 

[imp4pdabest 10+ year member]

I had more power than that, true rms power, in my 01 GT. I had stock alt and a XS Power batt. I didn't even have the big 3 upgrade. I never seen lower than 13.8v. Your setup definitely doesn't need a second alternator. If you're gonna get an extra battery, get a XS D3400. Here's pics of my setup when I had the Mustang.

 

---------- Post added at 11:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:50 AM ----------

 

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

and dump the cap

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

I had more power than that, true rms power, in my 01 GT. I had stock alt and a XS Power batt. I didn't even have the big 3 upgrade. I never seen lower than 13.8v. Your setup definitely doesn't need a second alternator. If you're gonna get an extra battery, get a XS D3400. Here's pics of my setup when I had the Mustang.

 

---------- Post added at 11:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:50 AM ----------

 

..i liked the 1200.1

 

[imp4pdabest 10+ year member]

..i liked the 1200.1

Me too. It really exceeded my expectations. So glad I bought it instead of a 1000/1. I still have the 1200.1 in storage, hoping to make use of it in a future system.

 

[asilentfire 10+ year member]

Okay, thanks! I currently have 4 gauge copper clad aluminum KnuKoncepts power cable for the front to rear battery (yes I did end up getting the Kinetic, I would of taken imp4pdabest's advice but I already got it), will that be okay considering its not all copper?