Before anything I'd replace the battery, something like an Optima Yellowtop. I never bothered with caps, the yellowtop put an end to the lights dimming rather quickly.
love my red top. i dont run much in the stereo dept (just a small amp/woofer) - but i do live where -28c or colder is commonplace. the CCA's on the red kick ass - starts no problem no matter how long the car has been sitting.
Red top!!! 3 years later I can have a new one with a new warranty if I want it.
Bought my Red Top @ Costco for $105.95. Fits like a glove
Ah, but the Red Top fits in the TDI without problems. About $109 at Costco.
I have the stock VW battery under the hood and an optima yellow top in the trunk with a 5 farad cap as well, now Im doing DB drags, and I also use my car as a daily driver, I have yet to see a single bit of strain on my electrical system and belive me I have two Autometer volt guages just to be safe for monitoring.
Ran a dual battery setup in my S4... was easy. Ran a PAC relay from the main battery to the rear setup with a battery isolater. Battery charged when the stereo was on, and stereo was only powered by the Optima yellow top in the trunk.
My battery died a hacking death with my stereo system and HIDs after 2 years. I wanted a red or yellow top Optima, but they don't fit without modification. In a pinch I got an 800cca direct replacement, can't remember the brand, too lazy to look.
I have had nothing but problems with optimas and I am far from the only one. Go with either an Odyssey or a walmart brand yellow top. I had one sitting around for 6 months hooked up to a non running vehicle. Tossed it into my gf's bronco to fire it up one day and it started right up. Also, I run those in my diesel, and I left the interior light and cargo light for over 12 hrs. Got in and she fired right up.
FYI New optimas are the suck. Good luck though.
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