are inerstate batteries good?

[Frixco_240]

hey, im thinkin about getting a 1200W sony amp to power 2 10" subs, and also, get an alarm. Will the intersate battery in my car handle all these new stuff? I dont want my alarm to quit on me because i have a crappy battery. thx.

[Andrew Bohan]

going to be running your stereo all night long while you're sleeping?

[ranisron]

I had no problems with Interstate batteries... Though I am not a hardcore stereo person.

you can't go wrong with optima batteries though

[MELLO*SOS]

Interstate batteries are okay I have used a few in the past. For anything beyond just starting the car (when you start adding some amps), I prefer gel-cell/sealed batteries; they last longer, can't spill and usually have a nice warranty.

Instead of an interstate lead acid you should consider getting an optima yellow top (deep cycle) battery for the trunk, and buy an isolator to prevent your audio amps from draining your "start up" battery (but both still charge off your alt). Should also upgrade your alternator and have thick wiring...

Your 1200 watt amp, at full power output will require at least 88 amps worth of current (w/ 13.5 volts). Cranked your amp can draw more than 88A, probably 100A+ (due to the amp doing an innefficient job as a transformer: power lost to heat, etc). The stock KA24DE alternator can only provide 80A at high rpm, that for your entire car has to compete for (ignition, power windows, locks, lights, etc) with your thirsty amp. You should seriously consider upgrading to a larger alternator, at least a 110a (how-to retrofit 110a alt to KA24DE (http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?p=798670) notes) otherwise you will probably end up killing many batteries because your amp will drain the battery faster than the alternator can charge it... Thats where the second battery comes in, as a large buffer designed to be severely drained and recharged. The isolator prevents the amp from drawing any current from your underhood startup battery (Interstate, or even a space and weight saving Oddyssey battery (http://www.odysseybatteries.com/)), so that you will always be able to start the car.

Also, the stock alternator only puts out like 20-30A at idle, which is nowhere near what you need to push the amp at a decent volume at a stoplight. Might consider a smaller amp, I think you'll have less headaches from your battery and alternator!

GL

[Irukandji]

a capacitor may help you keep your battery from draining

[pwave16]

^ In spite of what most people think--caps do not work. In fact, most of the time they end up fighting your amp for power( that is assuming you have a quality amp). It has been shown for caps to truly be effective and work as they are claimed to you would have to have close to 40 farads of cap potential per 1000 watts of amplifier power. A second battery is your best bet if you are running a large system and a upgraded alternator is also a good idea. For the setup you are running however a single larger underhood battery such as an optima red top (the 1000a model not the 750a),or possibly the Interstate you were looking at, would do sufficent, as no Sony amps produce near the power they are rated at. If you want the optimum setup and the ability to add on to your system later take mello88's advice. Hope that helps you a little.

[kazuo]

Best solutions are sealed gel batteries and larger amperage alternators.

Capacitors are a waste of money.

if you are worried about your alarm, get a backup battery for the alarm. Most clifford systems come with the option to add them from the factory.