big three ground wiring, optima dual post

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=90002
Printed Date: May 14, 2025 at 8:29 AM

Topic: big three ground wiring, optima dual post

Posted By: cim2phat4u
Subject: big three ground wiring, optima dual post
Date Posted: February 03, 2007 at 3:56 PM

Instead of running a new cable from battery-ground-to-chassis and from alternator-ground-to-chassis, wouldn't it be better to simply run a new cable directly from alternator-ground-to-battery-ground (so it becomes a Big Two upgrade). Is this ok and just as good as the normal Big Three upgrade?

Also, for Optima batteries with both side and top posts, is it perfectly fine to use all four posts simultaneously and interchangeably (while maintaining correct polarity of course).

Thanks in advance

Replies:

Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: February 03, 2007 at 4:18 PM

While not a bad thing to do, battery-to-alt ground is not the same thng at all, since your amps will be grounded to the chassis you need to upgrade the returns from the chassis to the source.

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Posted By: aznboi3644
Date Posted: February 03, 2007 at 5:33 PM

It is perfectly fine to utilize all posts...makes the terminals less cluttered

Posted By: layinframe_95
Date Posted: February 04, 2007 at 3:03 PM

Just going Alt to Batt. will probably hurt your amp and other body grounds... Upping your chassy to -Batt will only help because ALL of your electrical components groud to your chassy, NOT your alternator...

Posted By: the12volt
Date Posted: February 04, 2007 at 3:12 PM

layinframe_95 wrote:

Just going Alt to Batt. will probably hurt your amp and other body grounds...

Not true. No harm will come to your amp or other body grounds as a result of just upgrading the lead from the alternator to the battery.

layinframe_95 wrote:

Upping your chassy to -Batt will only help because ALL of your electrical components groud to your chassy, NOT your alternator...

Again, not true. When the vehicle is running, absolute ground is at the case of the alternator.

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