I just had an amp and 2 12's installed in my 03 tl type s. My lights dimmed with the OEM Acura battery so the installer told me to get a yellowtop optima battery. I purchased the YellowTop®; Deep Cycle Battery; Group D34/78; Cold Crank Amps 750; Crank Amps 870; Res. Capacity 120; Ampere Hour 55; and it turns out he wants me to install the YellowTop®; Deep Cycle Battery; Grp. D31T; Cold Crank Amps 900; Crank Amps 1125; Res. Capacity 155; Ampere Hour 75. Should I just stick to my Acura battery and return the optima and save my money or should I return the optima battery and purchase the "stronger" battery. WIll it really make a difference. Im a D-A when it comes to electronics so I dont know. He also mentioned if my lights dimmed that I could damage the cars computers if I dont have an optima installed. Is this true? I asked him about installing a capacitor and he said the battery will fix the problem and the capacitor wont.

Thanks in advance!

 

An Optima battery is like putting a band aid on the wound. The correct thing to do is get an alternator that produces more amps.

 

oooohhh - never thought about that one - Thanks!

 

BIG3 upgrade is what you really need to do at this point.

 

Big3 ?

 

Usually I have also seen Farad Caps added to the system rather than a Battery.

The ONLY Reason you should get an upgraded Battery is if you operate the stereo without the car running.

If you are always running the car when the stereo is on:
#1: Try Farad Caps
#2: Upgrade the Alternator
#3: Both #1 & #2

Basically the dimming is due to overpowering the Alternator. Farad Caps can help eliminate the Deep Draw on the alternator, although if you listen to very 'Bass Driven' music then the Caps probably won't solve the issue, you'll need an upgraded alternator.

 

A quick Google search brought up this:
http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/...TID=73496&PN=1

Basically, it involves installing larger cables for the alternator, etc.

 

Well put. I see a lot of people installing caps thinking they will solve all their problems. However, once the cap is drained on a bass hit it is fighting the amp for power to recharge thus hurting more than it helps.

 

Im telling you big3.

 

http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthre...e/1#Post312025

 

IMO I would keep the optima. Aftermarket stereos and stock batteries don't go together well regardless of your alternator or wiring size. Run your stocker down 1 time and it will never be the same. With the optima, you can run your stereo longer with the car off and if you happen to run it down, a good charge will take care of it.

Personally, I would get the biggest yellow top that will fit in your car. Some of them are pretty large and won't fit. I know on the camaro, the hood comes really close to closing on the top posts so you have to be careful. Same thing would probably apply to your car. I know some cars just have small batteries and alternators. If that is the case, it would be a good idea to do the battery, HO alt and big 3. Just depends on what you have really.