pisado02

Have 98 es 300 and want to put an optima yellow top in to power my system (1600watt MA Audio Hi-current amp, 1.5f capacitor, Alpine IVA-D300 headunit, etc.)

Which is the right one? I tried Optima's website and the search said "no info available". Please help!!!

PS Im new but the amount i found on his site is AWESOME!!! Thanks to e-rrrrrybody for all the info, u made my life hella cheaper and easier

vin 78

I'm using one, I'm sure of the part number but heres a pic...

Pheonix

There are several that fit.
Measure the space, find a chart of Optima batteries & get the one that hase the poles in the correct place so you don't have to cut up the stock wiring (Unless you're doing that to tap power for other things).

pisado02

vin 78, what system components do u have in ur car? Ur optima looks ALL used up

P.S. r u in Bay Area?

vin 78

Yeah, my terminals are pretty much all used up. Its plugged up to my alternator, system, factory harness and starter.

I'm in so-cal

Lexbox

Pisado, get a 130amp alternator from a Highlander before you do anything. The Optima and 1.5f Cap are nice but without an alternator, you will be wasting your money. And the batteries from Lighting Audio are better so I have come to find out.

pisado02

Lighting Audio batteries are better? Really, why? EVERYBODY ive talked to say Optima yellow top all the way.

And (stupid q but i want to here it from u) what advantages does Highlander alt have? And where should i look, price range? Thanks.

PS Is the pimped out Xbox v1 or the new one?

Pheonix

The stock alts are 80amp units (New ones 90 amp). The Highlander has an optional 130amp alt. It drops in.
They go about $75 at Autozone.

1) Upgrade the big three
2) Upgrade to a highlander alt

If that doesn't fix it - sell highlander alt online @ a forum & upgrade to a really big alt.

vin 78

I used to work at a stereo shop and LA batteries used to always come back and we had to replace them w/ Optima batteries. That was back then though, who knows they might be better now. Also, a lot of customers bought stinger batteries...they eventually went back to Optima. It seems that LA, Stinger batteries are better suited for systems, working as secondary battery (in conjunction w/ a starting battery).

Also if the Highlander alternator does in fact put out more amps then its definitely a benefit for your system, I'm using a 200 amp alternator for my car it feeds my system perfectly.

Lexbox

btw..."The big three" refers to beefing up the stock grounds. All the power in the world doesnt mean crap if it cant be returned to the negative side of the battery(ground). They are as follows: battery to chasis, chasis to engine block, engine block to Firewall. And yes, you will notice a difference with both the stereo and rolling up the windows with the headlights on.

And as far as the LA's being returned. I would chalk that up to the older versions before they released the 16V batteries.

pisado02

I was thinkin about upgrading the alt, now ill definately do it.

But (another ametuer question, my expertise is in audio and stereo(DJ, producer), not so much all the rest) can you be more specific when you say "beefing up the stock grounds???"

Pheonix

Battery negative terminal to chassie ground wire.
Engine ground wires.