Listening to music while driving the car is the most enchanting experience for all of us. But operating high bass stereo system requires more power than listening to the radio. Using audio batteries for operating a high-quality sound system is a topic of debate for many drivers.
Can I Use a Regular Car Battery For Car Audio? You can use a regular car battery for car audio while the engine is off. An audio battery is an additional power source to deliver the required power to the stereo system. Lead acid, lithium, and AGM batteries are suitable as a stereo powerhouse. Adding an extra car battery will help preserve the function and smooth running of the stereo system. Audio batteries add to the weight of the vehicle and are expensive to install.
All electric appliances of the vehicle require different power to operate. Stereo systems of vehicles have various energy demands. You have to get information on the required amperage of the stereo system before adding an extra car battery. Otherwise, you can use the regular battery to use the audio system.
What is a car audio battery?
A car audio battery is an extra power cell in the system that delivers energy to the stereo system. It is a high volt and amperage battery that serves as a reserve for the stereo system.
It provides sufficient power to the vehicle’s audio system and other electric appliances. Installing the car’s audio battery allows you to run the car and listen to music. It shares the load of the regular battery, increasing the lifespan of the standard cell.
If you want to enjoy high bass and sound peaks, an audio battery delivers the required amperage. It also delivers power to the headlights, steering system, and electric windows.
It increases the intensity of headlights by providing amperage to the lights and bulbs. Some types of audio batteries also deliver power to start the engine.
Are car batteries enough for a car audio system?
An average car battery is about 12 volts and sufficient to supply power to the engine and other electrical appliances. A simple audio system runs smoothly on a regular battery.
The battery is enough to provide enough volts and amperage to listen to music in the vehicle. But the battery also provides power to the engine and other electric appliances.
It is unable to run all the things together. A high-voltage amplifier and stereo system require high volts to operate.
You can use the audio system on a regular battery when the engine is not working. Turning off the headlights and other electronic appliance is also essential to keep the stereo working.
Otherwise, the battery cannot able to deliver power to all electric tools. Using the regular battery to run the car audio system while camping with friends or family is better.
Will a second battery help my car’s audio system?
Yes, a second car battery helps the stereo system by delivering high power to the amplifier and other elements. A regular battery can run the sound system for about five hours. Calculate the number of hours a standard battery can deliver energy to the studio system until fully drained.
Operating time=10 (RC)/Load
RC stands for battery reserve capacity in amp-hours, which indicates available power in the battery in fully charged condition. Load is the power requirement of the audio system. In case your battery has an RC of 90 hours and a load of 700 amps, the operating time will be 10(90/)700=1.28
The regular power cell will drain after 1.28 hours. To enjoy the stereo longer, you have to add an extra battery.
But a high-quality stereo system will drain the battery faster. In the case of the presence of high-quality speakers and amplifiers, regular cell drains within three hours. In such cases, a second battery is an excellent reserve of energy. It can help in providing an uninterrupted power supply to the stereo system.
The subwoofers are high-power elements, and a vehicle powerhouse does not produce enough volts and amperage to run the subwoofers. It is essential to have a second power source to run the subwoofers in the audio system.
An additional battery can keep the ordinary sound system on for up to 9 hours. In case of additional amplifiers, speakers, and woofers, it can run the system for 4 hours.
What kind of batteries should I use for the car audio system?
Audio batteries have different types, and all of them have different specifications. Here is a brief description of all kinds of batteries.
Lead acid batteries (flooded batteries) use lead acid inside the cell to generate energy. They are the most common and less expensive option for a car audio battery. It requires proper maintenance and care to make it last longer. These batteries are unsealed, and you have to change the distilled water to keep it in working order.
Lithium batteries are also suitable to empower the stereo system.
Lithium batteries are expensive, but they charge faster and deliver almost 98% of the energy to the system without any change in the voltage. Lithium batteries are sealed and require less maintenance.
AGM batteries are sealed batteries that help in preventing the spillage of the electrolyte. They also deliver more power to the audio system as compared to lead acid and lithium batteries. Due to their sealed construction, less maintenance is required.
Does adding a second battery affect the performance of the car?
Car audio battery helps us listen to high-quality music in the stereo system.
An extra power reserve is a load for the alternator.
But adding a second cell will put a burden on it. The alternator has to charge both batteries. Putting extra load will increase the wear ad tear in it. You have to upgrade it before installing an extra power reserve.
An additional car battery requires space in the vehicle’s electrical system. These batteries can take up a lot of storage space after installation.
They also add to the total weight of the vehicle. It decreases the fuel economy by burning more fuel. The audio batteries are also expensive to install.
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