Extra power

Bumble Bee '77 · 06-17-2008, 04:55 AM

Does anyone know of a product that can be used to run the stereo with the car off for long periods of time that wont drain your battery?

*CamaroSpike23* · 06-17-2008, 08:53 AM

an extension cord

*Camaro_Corvette* · 06-17-2008, 09:01 AM

^

Chevyrocker · 06-17-2008, 09:09 AM

Go to Best Buy, I forgot what it's called, but it does exist...

*DGthe3* · 06-17-2008, 10:57 AM

A second battery?

AFSNightrod · 06-17-2008, 11:04 AM

LOL on the extention cord. Best bet would be a yellow top optima battery and a capacitor to run between your amp and battery. A capacitor basically holds a charge like a second battery. It basically works to keep your huge amp from having such a drain on your battery so your battery can run the rest of your car. By no means am I a car audio expert(big stereos just add weight), but that's the way it was explained to me in layman's terms.

*TAG UR IT* · 06-17-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

an extension cord

I was thinking a second battery

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

A second battery?

And there it is!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFSNightrod

LOL on the extention cord. Best bet would be a yellow top optima battery and a capacitor to run between your amp and battery. A capacitor basically holds a charge like a second battery. It basically works to keep your huge amp from having such a drain on your battery so your battery can run the rest of your car. By no means am I a car audio expert(big stereos just add weight), but that's the way it was explained to me in layman's terms.

The capacitor is, from the way I understand it, only good for when the car is running to prevent the battery from draining and alternator working overtime.

Bumble Bee '77 · 06-17-2008, 01:05 PM

Will a trickle charger hooked to the bat work in these cases? I only ask cause my bat died when i provided music for the titus will show and had to get jumped by IrocZlover lol

theholycow · 06-17-2008, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

The capacitor is, from the way I understand it, only good for when the car is running to prevent the battery from draining and alternator working overtime.

AFAIK, the huge capacitors used for automotive stereo systems are mostly worthless (like ricers with big wings). In some cases they are worthwhile; such cases would be the cars whose headlights you see dimming to the beat -- every time the bass plays, the lights dim.

A capacitor is a short-term, low-capacity electric storage device. It holds a little bit of power, and releases it very quickly when needed. That's all. It won't help make a battery last longer after shutting the engine off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumble Bee '77

Will a trickle charger hooked to the bat work in these cases? I only ask cause my bat died when i provided music for the titus will show and had to get jumped by IrocZlover lol

If the charger is putting out as much power as the stereo is using, yes, it will work.

There's also the second battery idea, or just watching the volt meter and starting the car before it runs dead.

SKiZZ · 06-17-2008, 02:23 PM

It's called a second battery and a battery isolator. They run from about $50-$250 for the isolator alone.

*Mr. Wyndham* · 06-17-2008, 02:27 PM

If you wanted to make a do-it-yourselfer, couldn't you buy a 12-volt power converter, and just wire the head unit and amps to it? (disconnecting them from the car)

Just a dumb question. I like jury-rigging things, so it crossed my mind. I wondered if it was even possible.

theholycow · 06-17-2008, 02:56 PM

Yes, any source of 12 to 14 volts (with enough current, obviously) will run the stereo fine.

z28camaro2471 · 06-17-2008, 07:31 PM

If your battery is good and charging system is functioning properly, just start it for 5 minutes every couple of hours. It always worked for me.

Or always buy manual transmission cars and park on a hill facing down!

The_Stache · 06-18-2008, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theholycow

AFAIK, the huge capacitors used for automotive stereo systems are mostly worthless (like ricers with big wings). In some cases they are worthwhile; such cases would be the cars whose headlights you see dimming to the beat -- every time the bass plays, the lights dim.

A capacitor is a short-term, low-capacity electric storage device. It holds a little bit of power, and releases it very quickly when needed. That's all. It won't help make a battery last longer after shutting the engine off.

If the charger is putting out as much power as the stereo is using, yes, it will work.

There's also the second battery idea, or just watching the volt meter and starting the car before it runs dead.

Complete and utter truth, with some unvarnished opinion. YES they are used when they are not needed a lot, BUT they do serve a purpose and used properly will improve a systems performance.

06-17-2008, 04:55 AM	#1
Bumble Bee '77 AutoBot Scout Drives: 2002 ZRS Camaro Join Date: May 2008 Location: Portland, Or Posts: 593 View My Garage	Extra power Does anyone know of a product that can be used to run the stereo with the car off for long periods of time that wont drain your battery?

06-17-2008, 09:01 AM	#3
Camaro_Corvette 36.58625, -121.7568 Drives: Team 1LE Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Earth Posts: 23,710 View My Garage	^ __________________ I am seriously never serious vv V vv Next order of business

06-17-2008, 10:57 AM	#5
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,366	A second battery? __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum

06-17-2008, 02:27 PM	#11
Mr. Wyndham I used to be Dragoneye... Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 31,873 View My Garage	If you wanted to make a do-it-yourselfer, couldn't you buy a 12-volt power converter, and just wire the head unit and amps to it? (disconnecting them from the car) Just a dumb question. I like jury-rigging things, so it crossed my mind. I wondered if it was even possible. __________________ *"Keep the faith."* - Fbodfather

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06-17-2008, 09:09 AM	#4
Chevyrocker Weekend Rockstar Drives: Depends on the day... Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 1,442	Go to Best Buy, I forgot what it's called, but it does exist...

06-17-2008, 11:04 AM	#6
AFSNightrod Back in Black Drives: 2005 Cadillac CTS-V Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 326	LOL on the extention cord. Best bet would be a yellow top optima battery and a capacitor to run between your amp and battery. A capacitor basically holds a charge like a second battery. It basically works to keep your huge amp from having such a drain on your battery so your battery can run the rest of your car. By no means am I a car audio expert(big stereos just add weight), but that's the way it was explained to me in layman's terms.

06-17-2008, 01:05 PM	#8
Bumble Bee '77 AutoBot Scout Drives: 2002 ZRS Camaro Join Date: May 2008 Location: Portland, Or Posts: 593 View My Garage	Will a trickle charger hooked to the bat work in these cases? I only ask cause my bat died when i provided music for the titus will show and had to get jumped by IrocZlover lol

06-17-2008, 02:23 PM	#10
SKiZZ Drives: 1998 S-10 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bham, AL Posts: 44	It's called a second battery and a battery isolator. They run from about $50-$250 for the isolator alone.

06-17-2008, 07:31 PM	#13
z28camaro2471 C5 Member #227 Drives: Camaros Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NY Posts: 808	If your battery is good and charging system is functioning properly, just start it for 5 minutes every couple of hours. It always worked for me. Or always buy manual transmission cars and park on a hill facing down!