OK guys,
Current setup is this
1 x 800 w amp, 4 x 200 watt
1 x 12" 600 w sub running off 2x 200w = 400w rear of amp (rear built for bass on my amp)
2 x 300 w 7"x10" running off 2 front channels
Now my new setup will be
1 x 800 w amp, 4 x 200 watt
1 x 800 w amp, 4 x 200 watt
1x 12" 600w sub running off 2 rears
1 x (i cant get my 600w sub anymore, but i can get a 10" 500w same brand or 1000w 12" same brand?) sub running off over 2 rears
4x 200/250w 6/6.5" splits running off the 4 fronts

Will i need a second battery as i can imagine this system will pull a fair bit of power, and also if i had to get a second battery i'd assume there'd only be room in the boot, so whats the best way of hooking it up in series or parralel with my current battery so that it get's charged?

Oh i also have 4 inches and 6x9's running off my head unit, but the power from that get's run from the internal 12v, so i couldn't imagine it'd be pulling much power.

OK guys,
Current setup is this
1 x 800 w amp, 4 x 200 watt
1 x 12" 600 w sub running off 2x 200w = 400w rear of amp (rear built for bass on my amp)
2 x 300 w 7"x10" running off 2 front channels
Now my new setup will be
1 x 800 w amp, 4 x 200 watt
1 x 800 w amp, 4 x 200 watt
1x 12" 600w sub running off 2 rears
1 x (i cant get my 600w sub anymore, but i can get a 10" 500w same brand or 1000w 12" same brand?) sub running off over 2 rears
4x 200/250w 6/6.5" splits running off the 4 fronts

Will i need a second battery as i can imagine this system will pull a fair bit of power, and also if i had to get a second battery i'd assume there'd only be room in the boot, so whats the best way of hooking it up in series or parralel with my current battery so that it get's charged?

Oh i also have 4 inches and 6x9's running off my head unit, but the power from that get's run from the internal 12v, so i couldn't imagine it'd be pulling much power.

Very rarely is a 2nd battery necessary unless in SPL comps. Before adding a second battery, try buying an optima yellow or red top. (or another high quality battery) this will solve most problems.)
You can upgrade your alternator, most alternators put out 30-40 amps you can get altenators that put out about 120 amps off old fords, or you can alter your current altenator to provide more output. Note: you have to increase you cog sizes to get value out of this. Otherwise it will only provide higher output at higher RPM's

Install 0 gauge/larger gauge wire, to reduce current loss from your front battery to your amps.

Now even though your amps are 800w, very rarely will you be listening to this. 800 w of noise is very loud for daily driving. So you may only be hearing a few hundred watts when you are driving.

A 2nd battery should be wired up positive to positive and negative to negative pretty simple. But to charge up both batteries it would be wise to upgrade your altenator.

Now batteries discharge gases which are toxic. If you mount this in your boot, you need to mount it in a sealed case which vents to atmosphere. And there are other obvious hazards of having a battery in your boot, make sure you cover the terminals properly so they cant short out, (use a perspex cover etc) Install a fire extiguisher (even if you dont upgrade your battery) Could save your car.

IMO, dont buy a second battery. Install everything, use thick wire. Then see how you go. I think you will drain your battery very quickly with that current draw and you may have issues with lights dimming, so you may want to upgrade your normal battery. This should solve most problems. If not, go a bigger altenator. and work on your connections.

Buy a second battery if your running multiple amps over 2000 watt rms, but your draw isn't big enough to warrant it.

/ramble

With my old alternator and battery the lights dimmed REALLY badly with each sub beat, then both my alternator and battery died. When i got a new alternator my dad got a heavy duty one and its about 150% of the size of my old one(i have no idea how many amps its pulling though, any way to find out?), and the battery we bought is for a TS V6, so its bigger than my old one. Ever since i've had those 2 replaced the lights dont dim at all, only a tiny bit REALLY loud but then the subs distorting so theres no point, thats why i was curious whether the lights would dim with a second amp. It doesn't really bother me seen as its only the interior lights, the headlights dont dim as far as i know?
The new battery is century by the way, are they good quality? (i assume so as i used to watch car racing with dodge viper and porches/ferrari where they all used century batteries)

Awesome, I'm sure your current altenator will do the job. Century batteries are ok, but are designed for cars, which dont really use that much.

Optima batteries are designed for high current draw. I'd stick with what you've got until your battery dies, then upgrade to an optima yellow top.

how much are the yellow top batteries??

how much are the yellow top batteries??
Exide Orbital, Optima Red or Yellow Top, Odyseey 1500 all designed for car audio. Red top isnt deep cycle, but the rest you can run dead and it wont kill them.
Best bet is a Optima Yellow top, rrp $450, on special if you can find them, around $330 and up. 2nd hand around $250 depending on condition.

They last 5 years minimum. Besides CCA and AH ratings there are many other positives. They can be mounted upside down, or anyway you like. They hold their charge over long periods longer and charge much quicker (less internal resistance) which places far less strain on your car's electrical systems.

Another cheap option includes AC Delco who make a high capacity sealed/0 maintanance wet-cell battery. Its CCA and AH ratings are actually higher than your average yellow top and it'll set you back somewhere around $160. But doesnt have the same durability and performance.

Peace

Tim

If you do decide to get a second battery in the future make sure you install a battery isolator. It keeps them seperate, one powers your car as usual and the one in your trunk (boot) powers your system. If you simply parralel them they will kill each other over time. It doesn't happen right away but it's a slow death over time. Some people might argue because they have had theres that way for two years and it just died, well it would have lasted 3 with an Isolator. Get the idea. Anyway just a little tip from a Certified Audio installer in the US. :cool: