alternator or battery? big 3 help

[skittlesRgood 10+ year member]

im looking at upgrading my electrical system with an alternator or just a batcap. if i get the alt then ill get the batcap too but the problem is that my alt is REALLY hard to get to. i have a buick rendezvous 06. the engine kind of looks like its half way under the dash so there is no way to get to the alt (at least not that i can see). i have found a 180 amp alt for $450 but im sure install will cost a lot.

so the question is... with a 125 amp alt im running 1400wrms. im getting a lot of dimming. could i get by with just a batcap? looking at the 800 batcap.

and i know youll ask about the big 3... well it isnt done yet. i can not find the engine ground. is there an easy way to identify it? i might be able to get to the alt + though. if anyone has tips there i need the help.

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[NissanKicker 10+ year member]

I'd do the Big 3 before I get an HO Alt. ( eventhough the alt will help, big 3 is a critical part in itself ).

... As you know,

1) Alt + to Bat +

2) Bat - to Car Frame ( Chassis )

3) Alt - to Car Frame ( Chassis )

* NOTE - Just find a bolt that's not used by another ground - You can use a bolt that holds a bracket in place *

 

[skittlesRgood 10+ year member]

so just find any bolt on the bottom of the engine and run it to the chassis?

apart from the big 3. with the power im running could the batcap 800 make a differance with the stock alt?

 

[NissanKicker 10+ year member]

Think about it.

The Batcap 800 is equal to have

" 800 " 1 Farad Caps - Or 1 Battery with 750 - 800 CCAs....

.... And the bolt doesn't necessarily have to be on the bottom...

 

[HellsRise 10+ year member]

3) Alt - to Car Frame ( Chassis )

Say what

 

[lincolntc690 10+ year member]

alt+ to batt+, batt- to chassis, motor block to chassis

 

[skittlesRgood 10+ year member]

ya the alt - is the engine block - he is correct.

but now im trying to see if its ok to have 2 differant grounding spots for the engine block.

i dont understand the answer of batcap 800 is like having 800, 1 farad caps. what does that mean for me? will it be to much for my charging system?

 

[skittlesRgood 10+ year member]

nevermind. i just found the little bugger. my engine ground is going straight to my battery.

 

[NissanKicker 10+ year member]

It's more than enough... I was just givin' you a picture!

 

[skittlesRgood 10+ year member]

so would i even need another alt after i do the big 3 and the batcap?

 

[hrtbrk1 5,000+ posts]

just try out the big three...that usually helps a whole lot...then do the good top battery...

 

[skittlesRgood 10+ year member]

ya i guess thats a good idea. i have some KNU wire on the way. i guess itll all get upgraded in time.

 

[skittlesRgood 10+ year member]

ok so i got the wire today and i noticed i may be wrong on the engine ground. i think its the ground for the oil pump cause it has a + wire going to it too. but its still connected to the engine so maybe that ground would work... what do you guys think???

 

[skittlesRgood 10+ year member]

i could just go to the bolt that holds the alternator on couldnt i?

 

[skittlesRgood 10+ year member]

anyone?