I had trouble with my lights dimming on one 12" sub... I had a 2 farad cap on it, but didn't really help it...

I am really interested in getting a beefier alternator, I just don't know what my options are... So Quest, if you're reading... A little help??

 

you can mount a Kinetic battery in each of the storage compartments behind the seats. not where the spare tire is but the much smaller "hidden" compartments. you would be looking at a Kinetic 600 or 800 and that would be feasibly the best option. you do not need an isolator just hook them up in parallel

i do not know of anyone who makes an aftermarket alternantor for the HHR. it may be a custom build and would run 250-350 on average. you may look into an HD alternator but you would have to cross reference some vehicles. i know some HHR's are used for police duty and it would be interesting to find out what they offer

 

I would have never thought of that... Do you think they would offer up that kind of info, though? I'd probably be suspected of terrorism if I asked somethin like that... But there is that one guy on here with the two-toned black/silver HHR with the gumball-machine light on top.. Wonder if he's got a different alt..

Thanks for the suggestions, though..

 

might wanna call thes guys
http://local.yahoo.com/details;_ylt=...cb=41pgIsmGUpE

http://texasindustrialelectric.com/home.asp

 

I have a problem with idling especially when heater is on and lights .It is a new battery and the car has just been serviced with a new shifter and ignition. Idling problem occurred befor that . I have had a lot of trucks in a contsruction company I own . Dual batteries have never been a problem before with these trucks . But This car is so delicate in the "electrons coordination " area . interesting the remote start but I can imagine the electrons needed to secure that alone . Anybody tried it yet . I already own two as I bought when car would not start .plenty of room in the tire well .
Thanks for any info . i don,t want to off the subject here . but I have a 2.2 2006 LT model with a cutout capped to accept a subwoofer . Is there wiring behind the panel to signal the subwoofer . Is a remote absolutely necessary for a solid state subwoofer . Amplifier is in the sound box itself . Sorry for all the questions . This car makes me hesitant in any mods .

good luck all .

 

I've looked at the dual battery thing and I wouldn't do it without an isolator/combiner and that seems to require a heavy guage wire run to the starter from the back-up battery... yuck.
Now I'm thinking I'm just going to lug a battery and some cables around with me. No big deal to bring it in and trickle it on the weekends :-)

 

The dual battery set up is pretty simple. I run with both a yellow top (deep cycle) and a Kentics in my CR-V. I'm running three amps with both a JL W613 and W610 plus the inside speakers with an extra set of 6x9s.
Needless to say my headlights don't dim now with the music.
In my MINI I had 2 JLW612 running off of two JL amps and just had the full size yellow top on that set up.
I'm upgrading all the speakers in the HHR now to Alpine 6 1/2 and a JBL 8" sub, and I'm also going to put in a new yellow top just because.
Dual batteries are a no brainer, and no you don't have to run a wire to the starter...

It's better to not signal the po-po with your headlights flashing...

 

Question for Mikey and Vinny deeply appreciated .

I have not yet attempted the connection of my second battery . Yet I feel it is necessary in my HHR. The second batttery is already secured . I have setup parallel batteries in trucks for my construction company without any isolators/combiners . The starter should only take the ampereage necessary regardless of the 1 or 2 battery sytem ?? Why would it have to be isolated ? If there is an issue with a standard alternator on two batteries any info would be greatly appreciated . I am installing a subwoofer but nowhere near the power you have mentioned .Vinny , That system must sound like front row stage .In NYC I,m sure they would come up with some kind of 100 plus ticket if I had such a punch coming frommy car . I,m tempted to just paralllel connect the two batteries I have They are equal in strength and none are deep cycle . If an iso/cmbnr is essential I,ll buy one .
My symptoms I,m having is when the heater is blasting the car wants to stall from a lowered rpm . The computer should compensate but it is just not raising the rpm .I have knowledge in electric but nowhere near what you guys know .Again thanks for any info .
2006 2.2L Lt model -Black- (guinea pig of HHR,s is what I would call my car)
john

 

run them parallel...no issues