0jeep1

i just put two 12'' subs and an 800 watt amp....my jeep keeps hesitiating to turn on i am wondering could my alternator be too small or is it the truck itself for example the starter

Kyle

Im guessing your new system is drawing too much power from the batt while running causing the batt to be worn down hence the longer start. Im no expert on systems but look into (IIRC they are capacitors), a better battery (optima blue), and/or a better alt with better wiring.

tsconver

do not think you want a blue top optima, those are marine use batteries, a yellow top would be a good choice it is designed for deep cycling and still has plenty of CCA to start the heep on a cold day.

Even with a deep cycle battery you probably need to look at upgrading your altenator to a bigger unit or you will just slowly drain any battery you put in it.

Kyle

Yellow top is what i meant

mudman

a yellow top is no good to use as a stand alone battery in a car. it is made to completely be drained and he charged again, not what a car does. I have had issues with yellow tops and cars, you go through them real quick. my suggestion is to get a red top optima, a cap that is a 1.5f or a 2f, and a better alt. you can use one out of a 95 dodge ram 1500. all you have to do is move the spacer to fit yours. it is a 130 amp instead of the stock one. that should give you enough power.

tsconver

I disagree, the yellow top is design for cars, it does not need to be deep cycled, it can be used for starting, true deepcycles do not have a lot of CCAs likethe yellow top and OPtima says on their page they are made for cars with high amp draw applications like winches and audio.

Kyle

Red top = starting battery
Yellow top = everything else

mudman

I am going to have two batteries in my Xj. A red top for my main starting and a yellow top for my fogs, winch, etc. I looked into the optima batteries alot before deciding on what to use for my main battery.

WJCraig

Don't waste money on a cap. might put a band-aid on your problem, but won't properly fix it.

I've got a great article for you to read about capacitors, but I can't find it at the moment....I'll post it when I find it....

Later.

tsconver

Caps are only for spikes, big bass hits, ac compressors kicking on to keep full power to amps, not to provide constant power.

mudman

Well I guess the 6 years I have been doing this has not taught me nothing, LOL.

WJChris

personally, I think you didnt put the battery cables back on tight when you were finished.

0jeep1

i checked everything on it... still havent figured out the problem... it cranks the first time and on the second turns on like a champ ????

Kyle

You tried turning the key in the on position to give the fuel pump a chance to prime?

WJCraig

Not the article I was looking for, but this will give you a very good explanation of why you shouldn't waste your money on a Capacitor. A long read (6 pages), but a good read. Check it out:

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHY YOU DON'T NEED A CAP!

Sorry if I've wandered off topic a little....

Later.