I have a voltage “problem” that’s getting on my nerves

up front I have a Optima red top battery running 4 gauge through a 100a circuit breaker to a optima yellow top in my spare tire area then 4 gauge running to my HIFONICS ZXI8006 ZEUS 5 Channel Amp it has two 50a maxi fuses in it. I have added a 4 gauge power directly from my alternator to my positive side terminal post and a 4 gauge from my negative terminal directly to my frame for ground I can crank my car up and it ildes at only 12.5 volt them when I switch it off it goes directly to 12.1.


can anyone tell me what I can do? Thank you!

 

so it only reads 12.5 volts with the engine running? sounds like it's time for a new alternator.

 

That's what I'm thinking. Both batteries taxed your alt and now it's on the way out.

Try disconnecting the battery in the trunk to see what the main battery charges to.

 

Absolutely no need for a dual battery setup and Im willing to bet thats what caused the problem. Although its not all THAT low..

 

I unhooked the battery in the trunk my voltage went up to 13.5 but now when the bass hits my voltage needle moves back to 12.5 it never did that with both batteries hooked up.....?????????

 

Have you upgraded your big 3?

A bass hit will temporarily drain your batt unless the alternator can sustain it. My guess is that your alt is on its way out, slowly.

 

I have the same problem and it has been ruled that the alt is on the way out. I am using a 1 battery setup with a Optima YT for it all. Batt test the way it should while car is both running and not running while you can clearly hear and see using a voltmeter the ampearge drop when testing the alty. Had my mechanic check the alt and he confirmed that it was going and wants me to wait till it dies but curiosity is getting the best of me and since I have other goodies to add that's going to tax the system I am going to replace mine.

 

wow thats funny cause i just blew a high performance alt(ohio generator) and when i called the company i was told that if i had 2 batteries it would put less strain on the alt and might have made this problem avoidable . the guy also told me he had like 30 years working with alt's and was like an expert lmaoo

 

oo he said that after u pass 2000 watts of amp power u need to add another battery and every 1000 after that another batt is added. everyone i ask says somthing different lmaoo

 

Because there are different perspectives on the subject, and many different scenarios which skew the solution in one way or another.

 

www.batcap.net

 

I think my Optima has a dead cell in it I'm going to get a Kinetik battery.....

 

Im thinking a single battery, a big 3 upgrade, along with a batcap should solve any issues your currently having.

 

check if your alternator is under recall.

 

10 char

 

So in 3 mos from now well see this post again? Hmm okie

 

what is the big three?

 

I have learned someting new about these optima batteries especially the yellow top. They have a very deep cycle and out altinators have a hard time readding it as fully charged so there is a possiblity of frying your altinator unless you upgrade to something bigger. Just some food for thought.

 

Alt + to batt +
engine to chassis
batt - to chassis.

 

so I need to replace my alternaor with a bigger one and replace my main battery? Kinetic or another yellow top and take the red out and not run two batteries of what?

 

Use one of your batts as the main, have only one though. Upgrade the big 3 to get the most of of your electrical system. I don't think your current audio system warrants a "bigger" or higher output alternator.

 

I have done a 4 gauge + from my alternator to my battery + and a 4 gauge - from my battery - to my chassis where would a good point on the engine to go from battery - to?

 

If you trace the factory negative wire from the battery terminal you will find where it connects to the engine. The third wire is engine to chassis (usually same chassis point the battery - is connected to)

 

my charge at idle is only 12.1-12.6 and it keeps moving around....and when I rev up it to 2k rpms goes up to 14.0-14.1 so I think I'm going to get another alternator..............