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Alternators, batteries, grounding kits...where does it stop?

1110 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  amohler20, 
GoombaJebboMT
OK, are upgrading the battery, alternator, adding capacitors, and grounding kits REALLY absolutely positively necessary in order to facilitate a reliable working upgraded sound system? I am sure ya'll have seen what I am adding to my truck on the other threads( 2 JL amps, 1 a 300/4 pushing 2 sets of Alpine component speakers and the other a 500/1 pushing 2 10W3's, with an AVIC-Z2 HU). I know a lot of people think the factory battery sucks, but then again I also have not had any problems from mine. I also have not added anymore stuff to my truck yet that would demand more power. It just seems like whenever I find myself adding something like upgrading my entire stock system to my 07 Titan, I find myself hearing all of these little things, that I did not anticipate, like alternators, batteries, and such.

I mean I could understand doing necessary upgrades to keep for example headlights from dimming, but are all of these upgrades necessary, or is it just getting to the point that hey this battery is better, or this alternator puts out more power, so it is better. I know a lot of you know what you are talking about and are really into upgrading the audio stuff which is great. If I did not respect your opinions I would not be here to begin with with my 1,000,000 questions. At least for me, I am all about something being functional, and it does not ALL have to be maxed out with the best stuff out there.

I guess what I am trying to ask, is what upgrades are neccessary and needed, what MIGHT help, what is just...bulletproof and covers all the above, and what is not necessary, but also wont hurt to upgrade either?
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K
good luck with it all make sure you dont fry anything. upgrade the "big 3" also
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ReefJones
kha4079 said:
good luck with it all make sure you dont fry anything. upgrade the "big 3" also
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What does that mean?
Reef
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GoombaJebboMT
lol you got me...I guess he was just saying good luck? lol I simply wanted to know what was absolutely necessary, what MIGHT help, and what could be upgraded, but also is not necessary.
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IGotLost
kha4079 said:
good luck with it all make sure you dont fry anything. upgrade the "big 3" also
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Nice post!! :cool:

Goomba, you probly don't really need to do any of those! Make sure you are using the proper sized wiring and have a good ground! The grounding kit may help with that, but I kinda doubt it. A big alternator will help recharge the batt faster and probly prevent the dimming lights. If you aren't running around with it full blast all the time, you will probly be ok! I have used caps in the past that have stopped the light dimming and is a cheaper solution if it happens to you!
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GoombaJebboMT
vipzach said:
Nice post!! :cool:

Goomba, you probly don't really need to do any of those! Make sure you are using the proper sized wiring and have a good ground! The grounding kit may help with that, but I kinda doubt it. A big alternator will help recharge the batt faster and probly prevent the dimming lights. If you aren't running around with it full blast all the time, you will probly be ok! I have used caps in the past that have stopped the light dimming and is a cheaper solution if it happens to you!
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Awesome....thanks a bunch. Yeah I TRY not to buy into all of the hooha about HAVING to get everything tweaked out. I am sure there are plenty of audiophiles out there right now disagreeing with me, saying "Yeahhh getcha a battery, alternator, and all that" but I am not an audiophile....I am just some guy who wants my stuff to sound decent, without jacking up something else on my truck. If there is a potential issue I will do what I can to fix it. Thanks for the advice.
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t22a80
For what you are installing just get a 1 GA wire kit for the amps and try it. If you have dimming lights or another problem then start upgrading stuff. You should upgrade the "big 3 grounds" to help avoid noise and insure everything is grounded properly. I think that for the small amount it costs the Active Tuning grounding kit is worth the money. Between the time of measuring, cutting and putting together all the pieces (not to mention the cost of the wire alone) its a cheap buy. Does it really do anything, maybe not but it cant hurt.

As far as batteries, you are drawing more current than you ever did before. More than the truck is really designed for. Just run the factory battery until it dies and then replace it with a better quality one. The Titans charging system isn't that great thats why you hear about people upgrading the alternators. Its an expensive upgrade and not always necessary unless you are pulling major current. Its always good to have more power than you need but for what you plan on running just go with it.

I have been running the factory battery for a while (its the HD version with the towing package) And I haven't had any problems with it yet and my truck has 34K on it. My current system is pretty power hungry too. I say just see how long it lasts and if you do need to replace your battery then upgrade it then.
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A
And dont waste your money on caps, Buy a second battary and run 0 gauge to all the main connections
:blueblob:
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