A couple of Big 3 Q's.

[XaznKewLguyX 10+ year member]

1. Will I notice a difference using 4AWG on the big 3?

2. I already upgraded the battery ground to 0AWG, can I do the other 2 in 4AWG?

3. My engine block goes to the neg battery terminal, should I upgrade the engine block and run it to the neg battery terminal too or just ground it straight to the chassis?

4. What are the advantages of fusing the alt to bat wire?

5. Will wire melt if it is too close to the engine block? Should I just avoid putting wire where it gets hot?

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[Chevyaudio 5,000+ posts]

1. Probably, but why not use 1/0

2. Yes, but remember you electrical system is only as strong as its weakest link

3. Upgrade both...Engine block to neg. terminal, and Neg. Terminal to the Chassis

4. Protecting the wire

5. Yes the insulation will melt if it gets hot enough

 

[XaznKewLguyX 10+ year member]

My battery terminals only take up to 4AWG, and I don't want to get new terminals. what do you mean by this:

2. Yes, but remember you electrical system is only as strong as its weakest link

 

[sixfootman2005 10+ year member]

he mean 0 is better than 4

 

[OhioRed 10+ year member]

The cost of doing the Big 3 the proper way with 0/1, over $100 easy, when you consider 0/1 gauge at like 7-8 dollars a foot, and youll probly need 5-8 depending on setup and how you rout it. Ring terminals for 0/1 range from 3-9 a piece, depending on the type, and youll need about 4 of those. And the battery terminals, about 15-30 a piece for 0/1, depending on type. Id say to do it with 0/1 could range from 100-150 or more depending on how fancy you want to get. Thats why I just did 4 all around. Still ended up spending about 80 with the cable, battery terminals, and ring terminals, and misc. stuff. My setup seems to be working fine, no voltage drop at all, not even any headlight dimming, but then again i have the H.O. alt to. But if i can get by with 4 with a H.O. alt and a 1000 watt amp, I think youll be fine.

 

[Bolognablake 10+ year member]

The cost of doing the Big 3 the proper way with 0/1, over $100 easy, when you consider 0/1 gauge at like 7-8 dollars a foot, and youll probly need 5-8 depending on setup and how you rout it. Ring terminals for 0/1 range from 3-9 a piece, depending on the type, and youll need about 4 of those. And the battery terminals, about 15-30 a piece for 0/1, depending on type. Id say to do it with 0/1 could range from 100-150 or more depending on how fancy you want to get. Thats why I just did 4 all around. Still ended up spending about 80 with the cable, battery terminals, and ring terminals, and misc. stuff. My setup seems to be working fine, no voltage drop at all, not even any headlight dimming, but then again i have the H.O. alt to. But if i can get by with 4 with a H.O. alt and a 1000 watt amp, I think youll be fine.

Holy crap, where do you shop?

KnuKonceptz.com

I bought two battery terminals, ring connectors, 1/0 gauge wire for ~$50.

 

[OhioRed 10+ year member]

Yea, i must need to go down to the west side for a discount or something

 

[XaznKewLguyX 10+ year member]

I've already got 12ft of 0awg. The thing is I also have 10ft of 4AWG the crimp rings and my battery terminals take 4awg.

If I do 0awg I have to buy crimp rings and new terminals. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

 

[QtrHorse 10+ year member]

Wow, those are some outragious prices. I made these Big 3 Cables for around $35, w/ shipping and that's w/ buying those polarity bands (in bulk), the rubber boots, crimp rings, about 8ft of 0ga cable and dual wall heatshrink. I also bought some heavy duty battery terminals for around $15 w/ shipping (pos & neg).

 

[shiipseki 10+ year member]

Wow, those are some outragious prices. I made these Big 3 Cables for around $35, w/ shipping and that's w/ buying those polarity bands (in bulk), the rubber boots, crimp rings, about 8ft of 0ga cable and dual wall heatshrink. I also bought some heavy duty battery terminals for around $15 w/ shipping (pos & neg).

and where you buy that @?

 

[mikeyboc 10+ year member]

I've already got 12ft of 0awg. The thing is I also have 10ft of 4AWG the crimp rings and my battery terminals take 4awg.
If I do 0awg I have to buy crimp rings and new terminals. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

Better to **** it up now and buy them, then do the work with 4 and buy the 0 later on anyway.

 

[XaznKewLguyX 10+ year member]

I don't think I will be needing 0awg, I don't push more then 1300w out of my system. Stock alt is already pushing 90a also.

 

[QtrHorse 10+ year member]

and where you buy that @?

Buy what, each individual item?

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

The cost of doing the Big 3 the proper way with 0/1, over $100 easy, when you consider 0/1 gauge at like 7-8 dollars a foot, and youll probly need 5-8 depending on setup and how you rout it. Ring terminals for 0/1 range from 3-9 a piece, depending on the type, and youll need about 4 of those. And the battery terminals, about 15-30 a piece for 0/1, depending on type. Id say to do it with 0/1 could range from 100-150 or more depending on how fancy you want to get. Thats why I just did 4 all around. Still ended up spending about 80 with the cable, battery terminals, and ring terminals, and misc. stuff. My setup seems to be working fine, no voltage drop at all, not even any headlight dimming, but then again i have the H.O. alt to. But if i can get by with 4 with a H.O. alt and a 1000 watt amp, I think youll be fine.

You got *****.

Should have shopped around bud.

 

[talon2nr7588 10+ year member]

Buy what, each individual item?

he's talking about the big 3 cable and etc.