I have the standard stock ford ranger battery for my 2008 fx4.
stock alternator.
I have an Underdrive pulley.. and just the UD pulley.

I know the pulley may be part of my problem as to why the alternator isnt charging.. but heres my story

I just installed a 300watt alpine 4 channel amp. Its got the remote wire that goes to the cd player to only turn on when the cd player is on, and has the usual power wire to the battery (that will constantly suck power, regardless if the cd player is on)

My truck has been sitting for a few days now like 4 or 5 and i just went out to start it up and the battery was completely dead, needed a jump start. I get my lisence back in a week and once i have it the truck will be driven DAILY, which will give the alternator time to keep charging up the battery, and shouldnt have any more probs right??

What else can i do to make sure the battery has a good solid charge to it even if the truck sits for a few days, is it worth getting an optima battery?? Would just changing the battery make a difference while keeping the stock alternator?

I dont see changing the alternator making any difference if the pulley is still spinning at the same speed it is now with the stock one, would it make any difference with a new beefier alternator?

Just want to make sure im not going to keep having these problems.. its only a small amp.

 

You're sure the alternator is doing its job? Sounds to me like amp has a small constant drain to it... maybe its defective?

 

battery could be bad, check the date, also some auto places can test it for you.

also going to an UD pulley WILL change the speed of the alternator pulley for the worse, though you should be fine. 300w isn't enough to have much of an effect

 

Definitely get the battery and alternator tested!

 

thanks guys when i get my lisence back in a week ill have to check it out. The truck held a charge no problem and started every time no worries before the amp and new deck were installed though, so thats why i think its either just my battery cant handle it or something is weird...

the amp shouldnt be pulling any power from the battery if the deck isnt on.. thats the whole point of the remote wire. sooo lol i dunno wat else is goin on

 

Just try disconnecting the amp for a few days and see what happens. I left my window open one time and it rained over night (of course ) and after that It would drain my battery even if the remote was connected. Got a new one now no more dead battery.

 

problem seems to have gone away, i head over to my parents every day now and run the truck for like 5 mins a day and it starts fine the next day no prob, i think what happened was i left it for like a solid week without starting it and all the mods and crap ive done prolly just sucked the battery dry lol

but seems to be ok now, as long as im driving or runnign the truck daily shouldnt have a prob

 

You still don't want that constant drain on the battery. Its not good for it. Even if it is small.