Alternator power drain

subawhatsubawho · Post by **subawhatsubawho** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 8:52 pm

Maybe you could upgrade to aftermarket terminals?

When I get my bigger amp I will be installing a yellow top but I am going to switch the terminals out so I can run 1guage wire on the + side and do some sort of grounding mod on the - side.

I will also be adding a digital display cap.

I Don't know if some of you know this but if you have a battery with top and side mount terminals and you are using the top terminals to power your car, you shouldn't hook up your high drain items (amps and the likes) to the side terminals.

I was watching a car customizing show a while back and there was an optima rep on there talking about it. He didn't get into detail but just said that with all the Optima batteries being put into custom audio set-ups the people should know what can and can not be done with their batteries.

I hope this helps.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:06 pm

Terminals or rings?

I looked at after market rings, but Im not exactly sure how I'd replace the stock ones.

subawhatsubawho · Post by **subawhatsubawho** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:26 pm

I plan on cutting the old terminal ring off, stripping the wires, and installing them in the new terminal. The one I am purchasing has (1) 1 guage terminal, (1) 4guage, and (4) 8 guage connections.

Everything I need to do the swap and leaves room for expansion.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:31 pm

Solder the old wires to the new ones?

subawhatsubawho · Post by **subawhatsubawho** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:10 pm

They clamp in.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:14 pm

oooo

Pretty

subawhatsubawho · Post by **subawhatsubawho** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:23 pm

There is also one that has a digital volt meter built in.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 12:46 am

Picked one up today, fairly basic, just a 3 terminal dealie.

1 4 gauge, 2 8 gauge I believe

4 gauge - Stereo
8 gauge - alternator
8 gauge - car systems

subawhatsubawho · Post by **subawhatsubawho** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 1:52 am

Nice!! I hope it works out for you. Maybe you could do a write-up....with pictures.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 2:00 am

It does not work out for me.

The starter cable is about 2 inches too short... and Ive already hacked off the connectors

I plugged into into the inline fuse I use for my stereo, and it starts the car, but now I have to drive back into town and pick up a longer starter cable... goddamn.

How hard is it to remove the old one, cuz Im gonna have to do it in the parking lot

mikec · Post by **mikec** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 3:26 am

Its a 12mm nut and lock washer under a rubber boot on the back of the starter. Kind of a pain to get to, but possible... If you've got a ratching wrench, that'd be ideal.

subawhatsubawho · Post by **subawhatsubawho** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 3:26 am

Laurel is having the same problem with her optima battery.

Starter cables aren't hard to install at all.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:13 pm

Josh, think I should buy a new alt belt while Im at it?

Post by **Legacy777** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 8:01 pm

That's entirely up to you. If your old belt is fine, then you can use it. If it's not...replace it.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to replace it, so you have everything new.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 4:26 pm

Do you think I need to upgrade any other wiring than just a strap straight from the alt to the postive terminal of the battery?

Post by **Legacy777** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 3:26 am

Not really. I just added extra ground wires from the chassis & starter. If you haven't done that yet, do that.

I'm probably going to go back and do a single point ground at some point.

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Alternator power drain