Big 3 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=86847
Printed Date: May 13, 2025 at 3:23 PM

Topic: Big 3 Upgrade

Posted By: alexwrex
Subject: Big 3 Upgrade
Date Posted: December 08, 2006 at 11:06 AM

Have just got all my components to perform the big 3 upgrade and needed some advice. I have quite an unusual car, (reliant robin if anyone has seen only fools and horses you know what i mean). My car is made of fibreglass so a right nightmare!

Have been told the locations of the wires but wanted to check they sound right, to people who know what there doing. Right

Battery Negative to Chassis:- From battery it goes into the wing where theres a ring onto a stud, then other side of the stud another ring and the wire goes to the chassis

Engine Ground to Chassis:- Braided wire from the chassis to by the gearbox

Alternator Positive to Battery Positive:- This one has thrown me a bit. The positive from the battery goes to the solenoid on the starter motor. Then the from the other side of the starter motor solenoid to the alternator. So do i need to change both wires? And it is like 16 gauge wire going into a plug on the alternator so how do i get my 4 gauge to feed in.

I know there is about a million questions like this a day, but really want to be sure before i start chopping off random wires for no reason. Cheers Alex UK

Replies:

Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: December 08, 2006 at 11:13 AM

Alex, I have seen your vehicle many times around the UK but I have never worked on one. That being said, I think your best bet is to not "clip" any wires at all. Simply run new cables alongside the factory cables. As far as a "16 gauge wire" at the alternator, either you are looking at the wrong wire or the electrical system in this car is very small indeed. The cable for the alternator output should be at least the same size as the one going from the battery to the solenoid. If it's otherwise, you may want to speak to a mechanic and get some advice on upgrading the alternator to a better, larger output model.

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Posted By: alexwrex
Date Posted: December 08, 2006 at 11:41 AM

Have got a new 150 amp alternator coming soon, and the car is off the road till it comes so should be ok. The electrical system in the car is very very small indeed! So should i run my 4 gauge wire from the alternator to the solenoid starter motor and from the starter motor to the battery? Cheers

Posted By: aznboi3644
Date Posted: December 08, 2006 at 4:35 PM

Straight shot from the alternator to the battery