big 3 wiring upgrade

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=132441
Printed Date: May 13, 2025 at 3:39 PM

Topic: big 3 wiring upgrade

Posted By: mike243
Subject: big 3 wiring upgrade
Date Posted: October 20, 2012 at 10:11 AM

I plan to do a big 3 upgrade, i am wondering if it would be a good idea to run my battery ground straight to the alternator case seeing as how the case is the "true ground". Any thought comments or advice would be very helpfull.

Replies:

Posted By: oldspark
Date Posted: October 21, 2012 at 2:16 AM

True ground? Only when the alternator is fully supplying the load.
And that's assuming "true ground" means the "most negative" voltage. For audio systems, the "desirable" ground maybe osme other "singular" point.

But IMO it's semantics anyhow. There should never be a big difference between alternator-case ground and engine ground etc.

And surely anyone that argues for such an "absolute ground" would tell you to connect to the stator - NOT the case? (Whether that's Y or delta...)

Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: October 21, 2012 at 10:40 AM

Your battery ground should connect to the vehicle chassis, as should the engine ground which is also the alternator case. Read the Big 3 upgrade guide in the Hot Topics forum.

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