I’m new here :)

hey guys whats up. i wanna start off by saying that my name's mir, im new to this forum, i have a cadillac seville 96...umm any other questions u can just ask me :)

well, there were just some questions that i had that i thought maybe u guys could help me answer. for one, i was planning on doing "the big 3" upgrade and im using 0 gauge for my wires...i was thinking bout using a 200A fuse for my alternator to battery+ wire (itll be about 7 feet long)...does that sound good? if not, what would u guys suggest? (my alternator is 180A)

my second question was about my radio. i have 2 tvs, a cd changer, and an fm modulator all getting power from the same source as my radio. for this reason, i was wondering if it would be a good idea for me to upgrade those wires? the reason i was concerned was because i plan on putting in at least 2 more tvs, and so it was just a thought that i had. the reason y i even thought of it was because i had 2 kicker L7s in my car, and i was pushing about 2200 watts with em. i didnt have the big 3 upgrade, and so i think that caused a problem: one day, all my 'accessories' (fm modulator, cd changer, tvs, steering wheel controls, dash, etc) stopped working and i had to get it fixed at the dealer for about $800. thas y im trying to be safe this time. do u guys think having the big3 done would prevent this from happening again?

thanx a lot guys :)

-mir

That sounds good for the big 3, as everyone here calls it.

For the other accessories, I'd probably run them from the ignition harness, not the radio harness.  They don't draw much power each, but you shouldn't power them all off the radio harness.  If I have just a changer, or just an fm modulator, I might tap power from the radio, but that's it.  Typically, manufacturers use 125% safe operating current as a guide for fuse selection, so the extra current you're drawing for your add-ons could blow a fuse.

geepherder

do u know how i can tell the difference between the radio harness and the ignition harness? is the radio harness the one that plugs into the radio? if that's so, then where does the ignition harness plug into? thanks

alpine guy...thanks to u too :)

-mir

oh another thing. geepherder should i upgrade the wires on the ignition harness? or maybe put them all on relays to a fatter wire?

thanks bro

-mir

You could use a relay like this to switch everything. I would connect the radio's ignition power wire to 86 instead of the remote turn on lead though. Make sure you fuse the constant 12 volt + wire also.

wait so geepherder, im thinking i should still put em on a relay right? like maybe have a 8AWG (jus to be on the safe side) from the battery for 87, ground 85 with another 8AWG, then have the accessory wire to 86? that way i can put all accessories on 30...will that work? and then only the 8AWG will be fused at the battery, right?or should i still fuse all the components?

also, should i use a 200A fuse or a 250A for my big3? the reason im concerned is because my alternator is 180A, and so i know for sure i wont be drawing anywhere near 200A. but i dunno...u know better :-D lolz. thanks

(btw, thanks so much bro...uve been a big help...)

-mir

You could either use the accessory lead off the ignition harness to power your extras, or you could use a relay as customsuburb suggested.  If you used a relay, and I'd use 10 gauge at the most, but probably 12 gauge.  There's really no need for anything bigger, because you're drawing less than 10 amps max for those accessories and trying to connect 8 gauge wire to a relay wouldn't be fun.  Yes, though, the way you have your relay configured would be correct.  I'd fuse everything separately.

For your alternator, a 200 amp fuse would be fine.  Just like you said, you're not going to draw anywhere near this much.

wow...thank u so much geepherder. i really owe u...u were all patient with my noob-ness and everything. i know for sure that there probably isnt anything in car audio that i know more about than u, but if u ever do need any help and if i can help in ANY way, plz let me know :-)

thanks bro

-mir

ohhh i forgot to ask u. geepherder, im sure theres a few different wires in the ignition harness (ignition, accessory, etc etc). is the accessory wire (that keeps accessories on when the car is off but the key is in) different from the ignition wire (that keeps the accessories on when the car is on)? if so, do i have to upgrade both of those wires or will upgrading the accessory wire take care of it?

thanks...

The difference between the accessory wire and the ignition wire is the ignition wire retains power while the starter cranks.  An accessory wire will lose power while the starter cranks in order to supply all available juice where it's needed most- the starter.  Don't worry about upgrading these wires, though.  If it makes it easier for you, just tap the accessory wire at the radio to control your relay.  Yes, as customsuburb said, you need to ground all your components.

thank u so much bro (geepherder and customsuburb)

when i have everything together, imma take some pics and show u guys. u were a big help...again thanks

-mir