bigger battery or bigger alternator?
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: butler,pa
Year: 98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.o
bigger battery or bigger alternator?
so i just put a sub in my jeep to round out my stereo. the amp is only 140 watts, but when it hits, my lights dim. so do i need a bigger battery or a bigger alternator? my battery is in the upper 300's for CCA, and i have hte stock alternator. if i need a new alternator, im planning the yj bracket swap to get it away from all the mud and water.
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Southern oregon
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 89 4.0l swap
Originally Posted by lynskynbnd
300CCA is way low even for a stock XJ.
You need both!
Don't they make some sort of capacitor for subs?
You need both!
Don't they make some sort of capacitor for subs?
MJ>XJ
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Griffin, G.A.
Year: 1990
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0 I6
you just need a capacitor man... stock batteris and alternators work plenty for even extra offroad lights and a winch on top of your sub... almost all sub systems need a capacitor...
Seasoned Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 369
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From: Southern oregon
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 89 4.0l swap
Im running two 350w pioneer tens in a box on a 500 amp, no capacitor and 8 off road lights. Never dimmed a headlight before, pr any of my lights for that matter, even with everything on 
IMO, dont spend a crapton of cash on a cap when a battery is a better solution.
IMO, dont spend a crapton of cash on a cap when a battery is a better solution.
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MJ>XJ
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 17,836
Likes: 7
From: Griffin, G.A.
Year: 1990
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0 I6
i said stock batteries though which he needs to try and fix first...
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,030
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From: Elizabethtown, pa
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
Yeah, get a good battery (Love optima red top), Re do you main grounds, and upgrade wire running from battery to alt if you can easily (never done this on jeep) BUT when I upgrade the wire going to the bat and alt of my grand prix I got .6 volts higher at batt. while it was running.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: lewisberry PA
Year: 96
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Like others have stated a capacitor will solve your problem but it dosent hurt to upgrade battery to. My buddy has a optima yellow top in his escape that has 2 jl 10" and a 600 watt amp and his lights still dim when it hits. After he put the cap in no more dim. Some people get lucky and they can get away with no cap but if you have a sub its just general concensious to run a cap also. Less strain on the whole electrical system then also since the voltage wont be spiking up and down from the sub pounding
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: butler,pa
Year: 98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.o
