How to Upgrade the Big Three

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3rd gen

Member - Posts: 31

Joined: December 11, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: March 31, 2007 at 3:20 PM / IP Logged

Car: 2001 Eclipse GT

Question:

The factory wire running from my alternator (+) to battery (+) runs into a battery terminal with a 120A fuse built into it.

If I run 1/0GA wire along-side the factory wire, should I fuse it at the battery at 120A or at the current carrying capacity of the wire (350A)?

forms89

Member - Posts: 1

Joined: March 31, 2007

Location: United States

Posted: March 31, 2007 at 4:38 PM / IP Logged

I got a ? My battery is mounted in the trunk (from the factory 2006 Saturn Ion).. So the posative from the alternator is split and goes to my starter and then to a distribution block type set up.. How would i go about doing to big 3 on my car?

DYohn

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Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: April 06, 2007 at 12:39 PM / IP Logged

Fuse at the capacity of the wire or lower if necessary to protect the alternator. Leave the factory wiring intact.

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mystereobangs

Member - Posts: 19

Joined: April 11, 2007

Location: United States

Posted: April 11, 2007 at 5:34 PM / IP Logged

I have an 99 chevy monte carlo. I have an aftermarket pioneer deck thats has a battery meter installed in the deck.

I only have an 4 guage wire , and no big 3 upgrades but my bateery voltage meter always is high. It is usually at 14.3 volts, but at night time it drops to about 13.5 with lights on...

Is that normal consireding I dont have any upgrades. I have an directed audio d1200 amp..

also I had rockford p3 before I installed directed audio subwoofers. My p3's use to have my headlights dimmimg but my directed audio subs doesnt do that with the same amp? any reason why?

stevdart

Platinum - Posts: 5,816

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: January 24, 2004

Location: Pennsylvania, United States

Posted: April 11, 2007 at 7:30 PM / IP Logged

Dropping from 14.3 volts to 13.5 volts because of headlights on sounds perfectly normal to me. Better than what my car does. For your second question, you've made an improvement. Why question it? And BTW, everybody with an aftermarket system that includes subs should upgrade the big three if dimming becomes an issue.

Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

jmelton86

Gold - Posts: 1,228

Joined: February 07, 2007

Location: South Carolina, United States

Posted: April 11, 2007 at 7:39 PM / IP Logged

stevdart wrote:

BTW, everybody with an aftermarket system that includes subs should upgrade the big three if dimming becomes an issue.

I 8 bazillionize that motion.

2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator

DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)

Big3 in 1/0G

1/0G to GTO14001

mystereobangs

Member - Posts: 19

Joined: April 11, 2007

Location: United States

Posted: April 11, 2007 at 11:57 PM / IP Logged

How do I upgrade my wires on a 99 chevy monte carlo?

I look at the wires and its a bit confuding. Like on my alternater is like a l shape rubber boot that seems like it snaps on so it would be hard to replace or add wire.. please help..

Does upgrading big 3 means replacing or adding wrie?

jmelton86

Gold - Posts: 1,228

Joined: February 07, 2007

Location: South Carolina, United States

Posted: April 12, 2007 at 12:16 AM / IP Logged

Read this post from the beginning. It will answer both of your questions. As for the protective boot covering the charge wire stud on your alternator; I just cut a u-shaped notch out of mine -near the base, globbed some rubber cement over the tiny gaps (hot glue works fine, too), and used a small black zip-tie to make sure it stayed -after the glue dried. I'm sure someone will give you the appropriate way to do this, though...

2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator

DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)

Big3 in 1/0G

1/0G to GTO14001

jmelton86

Gold - Posts: 1,228

Joined: February 07, 2007

Location: South Carolina, United States

Posted: April 18, 2007 at 11:22 PM / IP Logged

4g wires hold up to 150amps, use a 150amp fuse. As for the rest of your q's, read this sticky from the beginning! How to Upgrade the Big Three - Page 7 -- posted image.

How to Upgrade the Big Three - Page 7 -- posted image.

2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator

DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)

Big3 in 1/0G

1/0G to GTO14001

jmelton86

Gold - Posts: 1,228

Joined: February 07, 2007

Location: South Carolina, United States

Posted: April 19, 2007 at 6:26 PM / IP Logged

The negatives are easily found. There is one coming off the battery to either the frame, the engine block, or even both. Simply toss (or add onto) these wires to do the negative portion. I don't see how you can't find them, unless your battery only has the positive connected, in that case the car won't start.

Alright, I did a little research for you (I work at Napa) and it appears the factory ground is 2g. It goes to both the frame and the engine block.

Keep me updated.

2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator

DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)

Big3 in 1/0G

1/0G to GTO14001

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