1 battery or 2

-
pearlblue

pearlblue

Active Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2011
Messages
28
Reaction score
2
Location
in the hills
I'm working on wiring up my Dart for bracket racing. I'm not using an alternator. In talking with a racer friend, he thought 1 battery would not keep up to the demand I'm putting on it, and suggested I add another battery. The car has electric water and fuel pump, fan, MSD, transbrake, etc. etc. His main concern was during round robin competition with little or no time for charging. My battery right now is a red optima. What do you guys think?
 
I think you should use an alternator.
 
been using two batteries for ever....and now i have an alternator plus two batteries..

if it dont start....you aint going anywhere...

besides weight in the trunk is the best place for it
 
I like the large yellow top Optima myself. It was plenty to start the car, ran MSD, single fuel pump, elect. fan (of during the pass), and water pump. And, I'd use the fan and water pump to cool it when not running. Not cheap, very heavy, but an awesome battery.
 
I say, if you "really are committed" to running no alternator, you need to run higher voltage batteries. Cars don't run on 12 volts, they run at 14. But when you LOAD a battery, with fans and other fairly heavy draw, they don't even run at 12 or 14. So you probably should consider 16 volt battery(s)

This of course means you cannot use conventional (14V) regulated charger/ alternator to charge them
 
I run a single battery with alt.
Us a full throttle switch that removes the ground from the voltage regulator.

When you wood the throttle, the alt shuts off. When you are at any other throttle angle the alt charges the batterys.
 
So, for those of us who don't race alot, whatis the point of no alternator? Do they draw that much power? Would it be better to lose 5 hp and gain reliability and consistency?
 
OK,if I use an alt., whats the simplest set up with a motorplate? Some say Delco, but I like the Nippondenso.
 
I have 2 batteries on the pass side of the trunk. After scaling my car I found this to be the best setup and my car launches STRAIGHT!
Plus it's great ballast!!
Brian
 
Im not a battery expert but I recomend running old school lead acid batteries. The gel type have poor warranties and deep cycle batteries dont like being charged over 5-10 amps at a time. Run two with no alternator, have you pit crew keep a jump box handy.
 
2 batteries depending on wiring will either get you 12 volts and double the amps or 24 volts and the same amps. It won't help on your lack of supply. I recommend the choice of an alternator or if not go with the 16 volt battery, at least you have 2 volts more so it will stay high during the run, just remember you need to keep it charged after each run
 
I have a single conventional battery and an alternator that I switch off the field when I get to the line (takes off a tenth or two) and turn back on after crossing the traps. The car still gets weak after 5-6 passes and at the last outing it would not give me that last needed crank after we had to shut down at the waterbox due to the guy in front wrecking. If you plan to run a generator in the pits between passes to power a charger you may be OK with one but for me there will be two batteries in da fish. I drive the car around the street and like to have an alternator but not starting when you are lined up with a cool 4sp 440 6p 'Cuda sucks, especially cause I woulda beat him by 3/4 second.
 
airwoofer said:
I have a single conventional battery and an alternator that I switch off the field when I get to the line (takes off a tenth or two) and turn back on after crossing the traps. The car still gets weak after 5-6 passes and at the last outing it would not give me that last needed crank after we had to shut down at the waterbox due to the guy in front wrecking. If you plan to run a generator in the pits between passes to power a charger you may be OK with one but for me there will be two batteries in da fish. I drive the car around the street and like to have an alternator but not starting when you are lined up with a cool 4sp 440 6p 'Cuda sucks, especially cause I woulda beat him by 3/4 second.
Click to expand...

You should us a door sw atachted to the carb so it automatic aka you don't have to think about it....it just works.

The more thing you can remove from your starting line prosses the better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top