Best battery for under the hood?

[joe_prince 4]

I'm already getting a secondary battery to run my system off of, but I'm wanting to also get a battery to put under the hood for all the lighting and a security system. What do you have? What do you recommend?

[thebiggmann12 14]

check out the sticky in the xs power section.

[joe_prince 4]

Thats what i was thinking about getting.

Any other suggestions?

[GlassWolf 5]

I'm already getting a secondary battery to run my system off of, but I'm wanting to also get a battery to put under the hood for all the lighting and a security system. What do you have? What do you recommend?

on a side note, consider a battery backup for the alarm, or a battery backed-up siren for the alarm if you plan to use the car's starter battery for the alarm system.

It's too easy to bypass an alarm a couple of ways when the starter battery is in the factory location and used to power the alarm system.

Edited May 26, 2010 by GlassWolf

[joe_prince 4]

I'm already getting a secondary battery to run my system off of, but I'm wanting to also get a battery to put under the hood for all the lighting and a security system. What do you have? What do you recommend?

on a side note, consider a battery backup for the alarm, or a battery backed-up siren for the alarm if you plan to use the car's starter battery for the alarm system.

It's too easy to bypass an alarm a couple of ways when the starter battery is in the factory location and used to power the alarm system.

I'm already getting a back up battery for an alarm, but thanks for the suggestion. Any other ideas for a battery under the hood?

[inkfx 3]

I picked up a Yellow Top D34 at Autozone for $180. Does a great job with the setup in my sig.

[joe_prince 4]

My choices are between the XS Power D680 and or the Optima Yellowtop D34. What should i get?

[GlassWolf 5]

My choices are between the XS Power D680 and or the Optima Yellowtop D34. What should i get?

between the two, and not using any isolated battery just for the audio system?

the XS.

[Julian 641]

I wouldn't get the Yellow top, go with Xs you'll never regret it.

[Argent Audio 54]

I love my Odyssey's!!!

Andrew

[BASSnoob 22]

how big of a system are you going to run?? i got kinetik.. great powerfull the best thing about it small battery got the 600 running over 1000 wrms of course got a yellow top duralast on front

[Impious 1,476]

I would highly recommend Kinetik. Without knowing more about what you are trying to power, I can't tell you what size battery would work best for your needs.

[mr.sagat 10]

Get anything but an optima, I've had 4 of them over the years and they are just not as reliable as a typical lead cell battery.

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

I would highly recommend Kinetik. Without knowing more about what you are trying to power, I can't tell you what size battery would work best for your needs.

Good to know, I am going to order a couple on Friday.

One question for you Sir and sorry to crap OP's thread with a question of my own, but it could be relevant if he goes this route also.

Why does Kinetik reccommend 2 of the same batteries?

Ex 2 HC2400 vs. 1 HC2000 & 1 HC3800?

Would it matter?

[Kanaworm$ 292]

Deka Intimidator is another great choice!

Check out this ..... http://rebirthauto.com/group31agmbattery2nd.aspx .... Not really good to put up front since it has no battery posts. But would make a great secondary battery in back.

Carquest carries the Deka under the CarQuest name .... http://www.carquest.com/batteries/pdf/CQ_NGT.pdf

[joe_prince 4]

I'm thinking about just getting a XS battery under the hood and in the back

They seem very reliable

[GlassWolf 5]

Why does Kinetik reccommend 2 of the same batteries?

Ex 2 HC2400 vs. 1 HC2000 & 1 HC3800?

Would it matter?

so they discharge equally. Has to do with the Peukert Number for each battery.

see here:

battery calculator

I also feel the XS batteries are superior to Kinetik, IMHO.

[Impious 1,476]

I would highly recommend Kinetik. Without knowing more about what you are trying to power, I can't tell you what size battery would work best for your needs.

Good to know, I am going to order a couple on Friday.

One question for you Sir and sorry to crap OP's thread with a question of my own, but it could be relevant if he goes this route also.

Why does Kinetik reccommend 2 of the same batteries?

Ex 2 HC2400 vs. 1 HC2000 & 1 HC3800?

Would it matter?

Do you see that on the website, or read it on a forum?

The reason I ask is that it probably depends on the specifics of how/where they were being used. For example, here is an excerpt from their FAQ on the website;

If you add a 1000 watt amp and a 200 watt 4 channel amplifier and allow 1200 watts to run the car then make sure the Kinetik model numbers add up to 2400. 1200+1000+200=2400. Assuming you are replacing the starting battery with a Kinetik Power Cell, install the size that best fits the space (for example an 1800) and add the rest of the 2400 needed to the rear near the amplifier (a 600). In this car a KHC1800 and a KHC600 add up to 2400 watts total and the car should have plenty of power assuming everything else is working properly.

As you can see, they recommend two different battery sizes due to the circumstances of one being under the hood and one auxillary in the trunk. If what you are referring to was in regards to two auxillary batteries or the user could fit two of the same batteries in the installation than it was probably for equal discharge/recharge.

I wouldn't agree with GlassWolf's opinion.

[audiolife 14]

You can mix sizes of the kinetik, the reason why it is suggested to use the same size is just for balance, which usually give you a longer lifespan. I know Impious seen my old car when he bought some speakers 2 or 3 years ago, that car had 2nd gen hc2000's put in it in 2000 or 2001 that were in it working in 2008 (6500 watts all class A/B on a 190 alt)

On another note I spent part of yesterday and today trying to desulfate a couple of yellow batteries for a friend but they failed to after 4 hours, have a couple more to do this weekend but they are different.

[GlassWolf 5]

I wouldn't agree with GlassWolf's opinion.

the part about XS and Kinetik? Fair enough. I was just an opinion.

The problem with Kinetik's web calculator is that they don't account at all for the efficiency of the amplifier(s) in question when figuring battery life based on wattage.

It may not sound like a big deal, but when amp efficiency can range from 50%-85%+ and we're dealing with well into the 4 digit range for wattage, and well into triple digits for current draw, it can matter.

Anyway, for what it's worth I'm using Kinetik 2400s now, myself. By no means are they "bad." I just prefer the XS products, given the choice.

[audiolife 14]

I wouldn't agree with GlassWolf's opinion.

the part about XS and Kinetik? Fair enough. I was just an opinion.

The problem with Kinetik's web calculator is that they don't account at all for the efficiency of the amplifier(s) in question when figuring battery life based on wattage.

It may not sound like a big deal, but when amp efficiency can range from 50%-85%+ and we're dealing with well into the 4 digit range for wattage, and well into triple digits for current draw, it can matter.

Anyway, for what it's worth I'm using Kinetik 2400s now, myself. By no means are they "bad." I just prefer the XS products, given the choice.

Thats kind of a double edged sword as class a/b's efficiency generally goes up with volume/power. 50% eff at 1/3 power and being 85%+ at 1/3 power is different when you are using more than 1/3 power. Many class a/bs eff jumps up when using more than 1/3 to the high 60 to mid 70's and many class d's efficiency's fall when driving 1 ohm loads and under at or near full power.

[BanginGMC 23]

XS Power FTW

[durranic 0]

XS Power D3400 in the front!

XS Power D3100 in the back!

XS Power FTW son!

Edited June 1, 2010 by durranic

[B7L|BL4Z3R 4]

i have a kinetik 1800 in the front and a kinetik 2400 in the back and i love themm.

[djteks 1]

i myself use kinetik all the way...never had a problem and i have seen 5+ year old kinetiks still going strong....

also one time my batt under the hood broke loose....fried out and burnt a hole in my hood lol.....i told kinetik what happend and i was sent a new batt....the warranty and customer service is A+

Edited June 1, 2010 by djteks