Should I get a bigger battery?

obstuba916 · Jun 6, 2024

Hi everyone I have a 94 c1500 5.7 and I was thinking about at what point should a guy upgrade the battery? I have a light bar with a stereo and small subwoofer currently.I am planning on seeing if my old Clifford security system can be hooked up and programmed again but if not I’m getting a viper. Finally I plan of getting a front and rear dash cam and maybe some bed lights.

So at what point would you say I need to get a more powerful battery. Also I don’t know 100% about what I’m talking about so educate me please. I replaced my alternator about 3 years ago to an oe replacement, not too sure of specs but regular.

I really like the thought of the optima batteries with both top and side posts plus I’ve heard them last 10 years. Please give me your thoughts and suggestions thank you

Drunkcanuk · Jun 6, 2024

It seems the Optima batteries are no longer a favorite anymore. They seem to have a high failure rate now. Guess they don't make them like they used to.

Go with the best you can afford from a chain store with a good warranty. Can't remember what the number is odd hand, but there is one that has both side and top posts for these trucks.

Look into doing the "big 3" upgrade as well. The wiring in these trucks was definitely not meant to be running all the new modern gadgets available.

I would say the tipping point of getting a new battery would be if your lights start dimming while at a stop light and you can watch the voltage gauge do the funky chicken! Lol

But if I was you, I'd start at the "big 3" and see if your current (no pun intended) battery keeps up.

A capacitor would help with your stereo as well for when the bass gets bumping.

df2x4 · Jun 6, 2024

Honestly you'd be better off upgrading your alternator. A bigger/better battery isn't necessarily a bad idea and will provide more reserve capacity, but the charging current that the alternator is capable of putting out is more important when it comes to powering aftermarket electronics. If you've got one of the smaller factory alternator options I'd upgrade that first.

That said, as @Drunkcanuk mentioned, stay far away from Optima. They were bought by Johnson Controls many years ago and the production moved to Mexico, they haven't been the same since. I had two Optima yellow tops die on me in less than a year a while back.

If you want a really nice AGM battery, Odyssey Extremes are a good choice IMO. I've run the ODX-AGM34/78 (dual terminal, top and side) in both of my '97s after the Optima incident and I've been very happy with them. Only had to replace one so far and it was 7-8 years old. Four year free replacement warranty and made in the USA by Enersys. They are crazy expensive now though...

https://www.odysseybattery.com/products/odx-agm34-78-battery-34-78-pc1500/

Drunkcanuk said:
A capacitor would help with your stereo as well for when the bass gets bumping.

It may help in certain situations, but I've seen instances where the alternator is so undersized that a capacitor can actually make the voltage drop across the system even worse. IMO if all your wiring is good and properly sized and you're still getting dimming lights/voltage drops when the bass hits, skip the capacitor and go straight to a bigger alternator.

Drunkcanuk · Jun 6, 2024

@df2x4 .....good point about the alternator.
And I should have said a capacitor MAY help, as long as everything else is in good working order.
Too many people use them as a bandaid for a under built electrical system. And under a thousand watts, usually not needy.

My humble apology! Lol

df2x4 · Jun 6, 2024

Drunkcanuk said:
@df2x4 .....good point about the alternator.
And I should have said a capacitor MAY help, as long as everything else is in good working order.
Too many people use them as a bandaid for a under built electrical system. And under a thousand watts, usually not needy.

My humble apology! Lol

No apology necessary!

I may have been one of those people in a past life... 2KW of stereo in a 1990s Nissan Maxima with stock electrical was, shall we say, not good. :lol:

Carlaisle · Jun 6, 2024

If you gave me a new Optima battery I would install it, but I would never expect to get 10 years out of it. Quality tanked years ago. I got 11 years out of my last Odyssey. When it was no longer able to turn the big block over any longer I semi-retired it to lawn and garden duty where it continued to work for another 2 years before dying.

99xcss4 · Jun 6, 2024

Drunkcanuk said:
I should have said a capacitor MAY help, as long as everything else is in good working order.
Too many people use them as a bandaid for a under built electrical system.

I am not a fan of capacitors it may stop your headlights from diming or flashing every time the bass hits but to me they are kind of snake oil and misadvertised and misunderstud do a big 3 with 0 awg ofc wire get a higher amperage alternator and get the bigest wally world battery that fits the battery tray if you need or want more get the second/driver side battery tray and run dual batteries

99xcss4 · Jun 6, 2024

if you have a big budget for a battery or dual batteries xs power is the way to go

GoToGuy · Jun 7, 2024

Add up all the items running at the time of heaviest draw. As in add the amperage of every item. 15 amps for headlights, 10 for stereo, all items operating. That determines how much you need to supply. The battery is storage and surge provider. Not for constant operation. That's the alternators function. You keep adding more electrical items even you exceed the available power. Using " Ohms law " you can do the math, more demand equals more power to provide.

PM18S4 · Jun 7, 2024

Agree with @df2x4 , Odyssey 34/78-PC1500DT are damn good. Never had a problem with mine in the 2 years I've had one. Gone through some extreme heat waves and cold snaps and still puts out the amps when it counts.

Should I get a bigger battery?

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