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mjn8809
Dodge Dakota
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10/19/2004
21:20:57

Subject: **installing 2nd battery for system**
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I've given up after a few months on my dakota. I don't think it't battery is strong enough to support my new stereo, amp, and sub. So I've decided to just install a whole new battery and electrical system I guess just for the sound system. Can anyone tell me the specifics I need to do this?? I have no idea where to start.-Thanks



FloriDak
Dodge Dakota
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10/19/2004
22:18:29

RE: **installing 2nd battery for system**
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there's a bunch of things you can do to upgrade the electrical system (add a capacitor, add a second battery, replace the starting battery with an optima deep cycle, or upgrade the alternator).

If your headlights are dimming with the bass, a capacitor might work. If the volt meter dives below 12 volts when the truck is running, it would probably mean u need a bigger alternator. A 2nd battery would be good for when u want to run the radio for a long time with the engine off.

Either way, an optima yellow top deep cycle would definitely be a good place to start. They handle big amperage loads real well and can handle being drained with the engine off much better than a regular starting battery. If the optima isn't enough, then the next step would probably be a bigger alternator.




mjn8809
Dodge Dakota
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10/20/2004
22:08:09

RE: **installing 2nd battery for system**
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First off thanks- Now im looking into buying an optima battery, would I need to rewire any cables or anything to install this?



mjn8809
Dodge Dakota
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10/20/2004
22:17:01

RE: **installing 2nd battery for system**
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Heres what my problem was, this might help. Whenever i plugged in the amp + sub the fuses on the amp, radio and taillight would bust immediately. Without the amp- works great, exept the radio it keeps blowing fuses(not sure why, it's grounded correctly)



FloriDak
Dodge Dakota
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10/21/2004
11:37:49

RE: **installing 2nd battery for system**
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mjn8809,

Nope, Installing the Optima is as easy as changing out any other battery. The 34/78 Optima Yellow Top drops right in in place of the starting batery. Only thing is you have to take off the plastic heat shield.

hmmm... that changes things a bit. It may not be the battery at all...

it sounds like one of the positive wires is grounding out on the frame somewhere (or + and - could be crossed somewhere) and backfeeding through stuff, blowing all kinds of fuses...

Sometimes if you screw the amp to something and the screw goes through a positive wire on the other side, it could do some funky stuff too.

Unfortunately, there's no easy way I know of to track down the problem other than carefully running through the entire installation start to finish and making sure everything is hooked up right.

If you still can't find it, an audio installation shop should be able to track down the problem.



VTDAKOTA4X4
Dodge Dakota
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10/21/2004
20:36:32

RE: **installing 2nd battery for system**
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Look at this first before you buy another battery. A lot of people
claim it has helped them. I am planning on doing it in the near
future.

http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?
ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=007801



316Flattop
Dodge Dakota
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1/02/2005
05:23:21

RE: **installing 2nd battery for system**
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How big's your system?

http://www.sounddomain.com/memberpage/541242



get an
Dodge Dakota
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1/02/2005
11:23:12

RE: **installing 2nd battery for system**
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You need to isolate the second battery from the starting/general elec. batt. There are batt. isolators out there (with intsructions) But you will need to wire everything in your sys separatly to the 2nd batt. A cap will help too.
Have fun.



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