Returning to the zuk scene after a bit of a hiatus, seeing some familiar names on this forum, so I thought it was time to start posting again, and get working on Samurai #2 (#1, aka Sowzuk, has been demoted to donor vehicle status.)

First question of the project: The new zuk (87 Samurai JX) needs a battery.  Seems like the ideal time to go ahead and set it up with dual batteries, anticipating a winch and other goodies in the near future.  What are you folks doing for dual battery setups, and why?  Isolators, continuous duty solenoids, boat type switches, etc?  Good and bad about your set up, anything you would change?

Also planning to relocate the batteries to the rear of the vehicle, trying to optimize weight distribution (looking toward that winch again).  Any suggestions on this?

Thanks in advance

Thom

I think dual Batteries is really an extreme overkill for a zuk. Id just buy a red top optima gel and call it a day. Im still running the same red top after several years of use. We run off road events and use my winch for extracting lots of vehicles... including myself. Its never let me down.

Mike  

Is the red or yellow top optima better for the tracker? I don't have a winch but I have a stereo and it seems like most people with large systems run the yellow top. Any suggestions?

Mike, are you running a stock alternator?

This topic brings up my question: What would a good alt. and battery combo if I'm running a winch, mid-range stereo, CB and a 6 set of fog lights (two under, four on top). Can I stick with my stock alt? Also running an aftermarket electric fan.

steveo

I think the stock alt would hate you runnin all that stuff. I am running a PPI pcx-2125 amp (500 watts) and a elemental designs b series 12 and my lights dim like crazy when i have them on and the music up.

I think the stock alt would hate you runnin all that stuff. I am running a PPI pcx-2125 amp (500 watts) and a elemental designs b series 12 and my lights dim like crazy when i have them on and the music up.

What?
What?
What?

Posted by: steveofrost Posted on: Today at 4:51pm
This topic brings up my question: What would a good alt. and battery combo if I'm running a winch, mid-range stereo, CB and a 6 set of fog lights (two under, four on top). Can I stick with my stock alt? Also running an aftermarket electric fan.  

Just don't run the Winch and all the lights at the same time.
Run the winch
stop
turn on lights
See what your doing
turn off lights
Run the Winch
and repeat
 

Needless to say, I have a small stereo and the alt. Hates it with a passion. After my new top, an optima is on my list.

wild has an awesome guy to deal with when it comes to high amp alts $220 bucks or something close

also i run 1k watts rms and my lights dim..its not THAT bad but it makes it so i can not run my stereo at full power. however the lights diming is just an inconvience really the alt still works just fine

something to think about though..the stock alts are seemingly indestructable..atleased with the torment i have put mine through..just something to think about before switching to another totaly different alt

Yeah, my alt. was just replaced. It was just over 12 years old. I'm pretty sure I did it in when I put the new stereo setup in.

I think I'll try the red top and maybe look at a bigger alt.
I haven't had any need for the extra fog lights, so maybe I'll tone that down to balance it out.

steveo

also i run 1k watts rms and my lights dim..its not THAT bad but it makes it so i can not run my stereo at full power. however the lights diming is just an inconvience really the alt still works just fine

Must be a weak 1000 watts for it to not dim much at all. Or its a really nice amp with really good efficency.

i like how u call my stereo weak w.o ever hearing it sigh

see me..i used to install stereos for a living so i think i know a thing or 2 i did it on my own not a best buy

and just so u know even with the handicap of the alt i still push 158db...

easy there. I install systems too, hence me not having any of their off the shelf garbage in my car. I didn't say it wasn't loud did I? I said It must be a shitty amp or a really nice one......

well i have had mine metered it puts out 504 watts a side at 12.2 volts since thats all my alt will support

and im tired of taking it easy..im sick of these "loud" systems that include the word bazooka or 8" somewhere in the sentance

or the idiots tellng me 158db isnt loud..in a car with the windows down

Bazooka aww come on, what about X-plod??? Is that anywhere in there.  No doubt that 158 db is crazy loud. I just finished my friends setup in his yukon, 2 solo l7 15's ported tuned to 35hz. With two kx 1200.1's Eclipse deck and Diamond audio components front and rear. Sounds killer, haven't gotten it metered though....