Hi all,

I am planning on putting in a new carputer system into my Mazda 3 (2.0L)
I am considering a Dual battery setup using an isolator to better protect my startup batt.

Even without the dual batt's i'm concerned about the ability of the stock alternator to handel the added electrical draw from the pc.

I have searched the forums and internet but is there anyone here that knows of somewhere that offers upgraded alternators for the Mazda 3?

Note: it's an '08

Thanks in advance!

 

I doubt you'll need to upgrade the stock alternator to install a carputer unless you're building a super-carputer. lol Many people have built them without having to do any real electrical mods. Now if you're really concerned you might be better served by replacing the stock battery with better one (optima yellow/red top) depending on how much you'll be drawing. I've only heard of one person that's added in a new alternator in addition to a dual battery setup, that being jeba from mazda3forums. Of course he runs a very large A/V system, is an installer, and competes with his car. Check HERE for details on that alternator.

 

Have you considered using a Deep Cycle Marine battery for the back up?

 

i would get a dual output alternator so that you could completely separate the two batteries and use them for different purposes. that way, you could designate one battery for the carputer and one for the car.

 

thats a lot of weight being added on to that car...anyway i say you go for a yellow top if its not a really serious set up.

 

all that you will be adding is the weight of a battery. the dual output alternator is basically the same as the stock alternator. i would say that they are within a few ounces of each other.