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I'm just curious what kind of battery/alternator setup you guys are running.
Particularly those of you with stereo systems and a/c. I've been having
problems with my car not starting in the summer heat. Last summer I put a
F*&d solenoid in and it helped, but hasn't cured my problems. If I go
across town about 30-40 miles or so while using the a/c (and/or stereo), let
the car sit for about 10-15 minutes while I run into the store and then try
to leave, it won't start. At this point, I have two options. If I wait for
30-45 minutes and let the car cool down, it'll (barely) start again and I
can go back home (forget about stopping anywhere else, or I have to go
through the same thing all over again). The 2nd option is to have someone
jump start my car, which allows the car to start up instantly with no
problems.
After getting very annoyed by this, I've noticed that if I go across town
without the a/c on, shut off the car, come back in 10-15 min., and start the
car it'll start up (again barely, but at least it starts).
Here are some other things I've noticed. When I start the car, the
voltmeter gauge reads approx. 14 volts. When I turn the a/c on, it drops to
just above 12 volts. Stereo isn't hooked right now since it'd only make
matters worse. When I have the a/c on at night with the headlights, the
voltage drops to around 10 while at idle. When I accelerate again it will
go back to 12 volts.
I can't afford to replace everything ie: mini starter, dual battery,
alternator, etc., so I was thinking of just getting a 2nd battery so that I
could jump start myself when I needed to since that always solves starting
problems when someone else jump starts my car. Then I thought, well, why
not make it easier and just add a dual battery setup, so I can just flip a
switch and use the 2nd battery. But the more I thought about it, I'd
probably need a higher power alternator to charge dual batteries. SO, I
think I'm going to splurge and go for a high power alternator and see if
that will help me keep the battery I've got, charged.
Does this sound logical to you guys? What are some good high power
alternators? I was looking Mr. Amp 130 amp. alternators which are on sale
right now for $258 instead of the normal $285. Any Mr. Amp horror stories?
Are there any other brands you'd suggest? Thanks for the input.
Forgot to mention, I'm running an alternator now that one of my 'hotrod'
friends used in his 58 Belair. It's a newer style alternator from a 90's
Cadillac. It's got the internal style regulator.
Rodney.
71 Chevelle
Phoenix, AZ
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