When we installed deep cycle batteries in our race car, which is a drag car, we had to charge them between rounds to keep the voltage up. There was no alternator. They lasted no time at all. I removed them and installed 1000amp megatron plus batteries and had no problem after that. Both were Interstate brand.

To give you some background.......the car is an outlaw 10.5 car. It makes close to 2000 hp and uses 3 stages of nitrous, however I only use 2 of them. Between the nitrous systems, shifter solenoid, ignition system, rad. fan, and electric water pump, the amperage draw is around 65 amps constant.

By Jonathan (172.163.93.51) on Monday, October 27, 2003 - 04:51 pm:

I didn't think deep cycle batteries charged that much more quickly, they are just able to maintain a certain amperage level even when almost discharged. That's why they were used on submarines (even before the 50's, there were diesel electric subs in WWI), the batteries would run the ship, and even when they were only 20% full they would be able to supply the voltage and amperage of a fully charged battery. Just not for as long a duration of time. I've also heard not to use deep cycle batteries in a car, but I've never had a problem using one in my Caprice. I don't have a big stereo or anything, but running the factory AM/FM unit and high beams seemed to work just fine.

By jake thomas hilliard (Classucivic) (64.146.131.193) on Monday, October 27, 2003 - 04:22 pm:

in my experience as long as it has been run down really low and then recharged to full they work quite nicely hints why they used them on submarines in the 50s back when they were powered by diesels they would be under water and use their batteries for an extended period of time then they would go to the surface start the motor and recharge them very quickly which is what they are designed to do

By Bryan (66.32.126.64) on Monday, October 27, 2003 - 06:43 am:

Actually Jake, I have to disagree with you about being able to charge a deep cycle battery. Everyone I have tried to charge in a car application with a high amp alt. goes bad quickly. If you look at deep cycle chargers, they usually have only 10 amps max.

As far as the voltage reg. goes, it is beside the batt. under a metal cover. They are still available.

By jake thomas hilliard (Classucivic) (64.146.131.193) on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 03:29 pm:

off the subject if you have a stereo and your lights are blinking these are some things to remember.
for stereos under 400 watts rms this doesn't apply.

First get a bigger battery preferably a deep cycle a deep cycle battery can be discharged and recharged in rapid succession.

next get the biggest alternator you can.

then get a lightning cap for stereos 500watts in that range a .5 farad cap will be plenty for stereos with 1000 watts a 1.0 farad cap would be neccessary just remember for every 1000 watts you add you need an additional 1.0 farads of capacity for your amps to run efficently
so if you have a 2500 watt sereo you need 2.5 farads of capacity.

sound quality make sure the your rca (signal cables ) are atleast 1 foot a way from any electrical source if your stereo has engine noise in it ground your source unit to the frame and run a seperate power wire from your battery and keep it away from other electrical sources when you run your rcas run them on the opposite side that you have run your power wire on use 8 guage power wire for 500 watss and below and use 4 guage power wire on amps that are 1000 watts and amps that run 200o watts run 2 guage amps that are bigger even still run 0 guage and get another battery with an isolator you will need it if you are putting a stereo this big in this little car that doesnt have any serious electrical upgrades when you ground your amp use then same thickness of wire that you used to power your amp and run the grounds to the frame to prevent road noise therough your stereo.

By Glenn Biscan (211.30.144.154) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 08:31 pm:

when i had a big stereo in my car, my lights would virtually turn off as the bass comes on

hahaha it was really funny @ the time but now the stereo is gone and it doesnt do it n e mroe

By 1300dx (63.230.205.113) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 07:35 pm:

While we're on this subject... Does anyone know what I can use for a replacement voltage regulator?

By Kurt (142.179.39.216) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 12:11 pm:

Actually ya the dash lights do it too. I think I recall someone changing their alternator to fix the problem as you can't change the voltage regualtor on these things alone - am I right?

Kurt

By Bryan (66.32.140.138) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 11:12 am:

Are the dash lights also pulsating? if so, then the voltage regulator could also be suspect. It could be causing voltage spikes.

By bruce (67.200.12.65) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 05:47 am:

check your grounds.......

By Kurt (142.179.39.216) on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 10:54 pm:

I've searched with no luck but I seem to recall one of you having a problem with 'pulsating' headlights. Was it a bad ground? I noticed it tonight as I was driving, its minor but a flaw none the less. Its like a Disco

Kurt