Low volt!!

[02tahoez71]

My 02 tahoe has been slow at starting and the volt guage reads lower than it normaly did. I have ls1 fans and the 130amp alternator, but if the fans are on and the headlights the truck struggles to put up the windows. Whats the best way to fix this? Do i need a bigger battery? Can i even run a bigger alt? Ive ran out of ideas and it hardley starts now

 

[osspray]

you might not be able to run a bigger battery but you can look at putting a second battery in. there should be space passenger side near the firewall to do so but you should speak with a mechanic to clarify that this is possible.

 

[02tahoez71]

How do you run a second battery?, i understand where to place it but where do i hook it up?

 

[osspray]

well you can tie it into your first battery, also were you looking at putting a battery bigger in size or bigger in cranking amps in? and from the sounds of it your fans are electric fans?

 

[02tahoez71]

I was planing on buying a red top battery with higher cranking amps, and yes the fans are electric, and how exactly would i do the batterys?

 

[osspray]

ok so i did misunderstand thats my bad, to answer correctly to your first question going to a higher crank should help, also going to a higher amp alt should also help. to do the battery you need to find out if it can go where i suggested (i can never get time to get this info) and then get your battery case cross member hold and route the positive and negative battery cables over to the original battery or to the alt. i hadnt decided if i was just going to do it around the upper area of the engine compartment or follow the wiring harness ( the harness is most likely the safest route. then get your final route on where your taking the wires be it to the alt or battery, and that should be the way to do it. I drive as a pilot/escort for oversize loads and i have a lot of power drawn and this is how im planning to fix my future problems. if you do not feel confident in doing something like this i would suggest going to a mechanic that can do it and get it done safely as to not harm you or any others.

 

[boomguy]

I have a 99, its a different under hood configurations but the wiring is the same, ran a 0/1 battery cable from slave battery to main battery and a straight ground to enging....I purchased a double post battery (top and side for the main) where I could use top post connections and old school solder in instead of crimping... world of difference....