What is a Total Loss Ignition System? Its using a petrol engine without an alternator.

Effectively you are running your vehicle's electronics from your battery which includes any spark to the ignition system, gauges, lights, fans, pumps, transponder or data logger, GPS, radio, comms etc etc.

Again we'd highlight the purpose of this battery is the most critical thing to consider. Do you want to have enough cranking power to start the vehicle or do you need to drive for a few hours without a recharge? (the latter being something to consider if your alternator dies while in competition or along way from home. Its referenced on the specs of a battery as being the reserve capacity (RC). It's measured at 25 amps and simulates SLA which was considered the essential requirement to operate a vehicle some 20 years ago. (Starting, Lights, Accessories). So the 25 amps could be discharged for X number of minutes (i.e. 90RC) until there is no usable voltage remaining in the battery.

With high flow fuel pumps and water cooling systems on high power engines a fully charged 12 volt battery might only be 11.5 volts under discharge load. This is to low a voltage for the ignition system to operate effectively and it makes current draw that much higher that it is far from ideal. An alternative would be to run a higher voltage battery like our XS Power 16 volt battery. Underload the voltage would still be 14 volts which is similar to the voltage output of a high powered alternator without the overhead of the alternator drive belt loading the engine or the extra weight being carried.

This is ideal for systems like drag cars or midget vehicles used in speedway which are push started. The 16 volt batteries also make for excellent jump start batteries on 1400 plus horsepower engines used in Hydroplanes, river racers and jet sprint boats.