Battery Question

[suki243]

Hey guys, I came home from school the other day and I heard my car alarm beeping, not loud but still noticeable and dull. I hadn't started up the car for a while, so i tried unlocking hte alarm but nothing happened so I manually unlocked the door and low and behold the courtesy lights didn't light up, ok battery must be low cause when i tried to start it there was no clicks at all. So I got my dad to bring up his 4 runner and we tried to jump it, I think the connection was bad because sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't, the courtesy lights worked, and i got the alternator to turn one turn but couldn't get the engine to turn over, we tried gassing the 4 runner and turned the stang at the same time but nope.

We had a problem with the battery before when I dropped it off at the shop for a week to get a new carb, the guy had a quick charger, charged the battery within 2 hours.
Coincidentally (however you spell it) that day I read about battery choosing in an electrical wiring book I got for the car. But I thought i'd ask you guys too, What should be my next step, i'm thinking about getting a new battery, the current one i dunno it doesn't look reliable but it is powerful,
1000 cranking amps at 32 F, and 700 cold cranking amps and 115 reserve capacity.

I'm thinking of a new battery, any suggestions? and does anyone know how many amps the stock alternator is and how many liters is the 2 barrel 289? I was told 4.7L but

 

[19stang66]

Stock alternators are 55amps and a 289 displaces 4.7L. As for a battery, if you want to never worry about it again get an Optima Red Top. They are spendy but they last for a very long time. Also you can get a decent battery from NAPA or somewhere and you just need to take care of it for it to last a long time.

 

[suki243]

Thx, another quick question,
I'm thinking about upgrading my speaker system to 1000+ watts of together speaker power, 600 for sub, 420 for 6x9s and maybe 200 for kick panels,
Would it be wise to invest in another battery or a better alternator or both?
a 130 amp alternator off of a 2001 ford taurus is selln for 45 at a local junkyard.

 

[19stang66]

Make sure your wiring is good, you have a new high amp alternator, and a decent battery. I think a second battery would be unnecessary.

 

[suki243]

I'm planning on doing the wiring all over again, this time including a real stationtionary fuse box, right now I have those stupid little blue 4 fuse ones. The guy before did an absolutely Horrible job on the car.
How many amps do you suggest? would 130 be fine? from a junkyard?
As for battery my dad went out behind my back and got me one from Costco same specs as the old one

 

[rbohm]

for a battery i second the optima choice. they are tough and reliable and charge rather quickly. for an alternator choice, since you are going with a high output stereo, i would recommend the 130 amp alternator, either the powermaster one wire, or the ford 3g from a late model taurus.

 

[iskwezm]

I have used the Red Optima tops and they are nothing special to me. I even have a couple sitting on a shelf that I replaced with a Walmart MAXXS batterie with more CCA and reserve capacity.

 

[suki243]

Hey guys, If i replace my alternator do I also have to change the pulley too?

 

[geostang351]

Shouldn't have to. unless you are changing from serpintine to v-belt

 

[67 Evil Eleanor]

A good battery is a must. Interstate is my choice but I have the optima also. Both are good. If you installl all this high output stereo stuff, you need to use a high output alternator. Power is watts, intensity is amps. Given two values, you can find the third. So if your stereo uses a total of 1000 watts you will need about 83 amps at 12 volts to run this. Alternators are rated in amps, but this is at a certain rpm. At lower rpms they don't put out this rating. They usually max out at around 2200 rpms and up. At least I would install a Amp and volt gauge to monitor the status of the electrical system. A ribbed belt would also help as these alterntors are harder to turn under load. Hope this helps.

 

[mustangchris]

Optimas are great batteries. They put out good power, and are great in accidents as they are perma-sealed. Also they can be mounted in ANY position, not that you ever would but you could. As for the car, do you frequently leave it sitting? The low but consistent draw from alarms and radio clocks will drain a battery over time no matter what the time. If you do a solar battery tender works really well to keep your battery topped off. Here is one that is inexspensive and should last a while. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44768

 

[suki243]

Well, currently it is sitting until I get my license, then it will be my daily driver. But inbetween then it will go to paint. After this summer (When i go to college) it will most probably sit all week long and i'll come home on the weekends to drive it around