Yellow or red (Optima)?

[damronjr]

Well, as many of you know, my electrical system is quite taxed these days. Thus far everything is stock (battery, alternator, wiring, etc...), and I am considering either getting a new battery or a higher output alternator (or both if that is what's needed). I have done little research (mainly searching through the threads here and on MO), but I do know they have the yellow and red-top Optima batteries based on your needs. Basically, I need more constant power while the car is on (i.e. compressors running, system pounding, and RPMs screaming or idling ). The air compressors get slowed down even when the system isn't even on at idle and I have to rev the engine above idle to get them back up to speed. I have also considered getting a higher output alternator, but I'm not sure where to get one that would fit this use and would fit properly in our vehicles. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[BlueCrush]

I have the yellow top. It is mainly for running accessories.Red top is mainly for starting. I would recommend the yellow topsince your accessories are what you need it for even with the car running. Here is some info on high output alternators that I posted back in March. They are spendy: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=15260

[damronjr]

WTH, when I click on your link it takes me to a new page and says "you are only authorized to edit your own posts". PC Load Letter, (removed) does that mean?!?

[BlueCrush]

Sorry, I fixed the link.

[damronjr]

Wow, that's pricey!

[Mase]

I've never heard of any bolt-on high output alternators for the 1zz engine...but that doesn't mean they dont exist.I personally have a Yellow Top and would recommend it to you also. I installed it less that 3 months after buying the car just for preventative maintenance. Hasn't let me down since!Sad thing is it seems to be limited by the alternator once the engine is on. With the engine on, the dash dims whenever I use 1 window. But with the car off, I can run all my headlights/fogs, blower, rear defroster, inverter, etc and crank all 4 windows at the same time without having any lights dim down!

[damronjr]

In that case, which model #'s would be helpful also!

[BlueCrush]

I can't give you mine because it is bass ackwards and I had to buy post extensions to get it to work. I'm sure someone has one that is set up the same as the stock battery.

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »I can't give you mine because it is bass ackwards and I had to buy post extensions to get it to work. I'm sure someone has one that is set up the same as the stock battery. Yeah, I just want to make sure I get the right one! Don't happen to know the avg price/ best place to get one do you?

[Mase]

34/78 series Yellow Top. With the optional riser (needed to bring up to the stock height). I didn't get the reverse terminals, but it would've been nice. If you don't get reversed terminals, then you will need to buy a longer ground cable for the battery.

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by Mase »34/78 series Yellow Top. With the optional riser (needed to bring up to the stock height). I didn't get the reverse terminals, but it would've been nice. If you don't get reversed terminals, then you will need to buy a longer ground cable for the battery.Thanks Mase! We need to have another SoCal meet! No one's biting much on MO, too busy of a season!

[GMJAP]

I don't know much about them, but thought I'd throw it out: Anyone know if putting one of those huge capacitors on his car would help?I'm thinking at the least, it would help out with loads from the subwoofer, since they are periodic. Don't know about the compressors etc. though.