Big 3 + Existing Wiring

[CanIBDom 10+ year member]

Hi all. After a couple weeks of observing I'm ready to participate in

these forums.

I recently installed a Profile AP1040 in my 2000 Ford Taurus with the recommended 4 ga. power and ground wire. Now the headlights dim when I use the power windows and the amp ocassionally 'fizzles' (for lack of a better term) and fades back in when I hit the brakes. I have a few questions that I

couldn't find good answers to when searching...

1) Would the Big 3 upgrade be worthwhile or should I go straight to a

higher-output alternator?

2) How can I tell what my existing alternator puts out? What amperage

would I upgrade to?

3) If I go with the Big 3 I know I should use 1/0 wire. Should I also

change my existing 4 ga. power and ground wire to 1/0? How would I

connect the 1/0 to the 4 ga. terminals on the amp? Upgrading to 1/0

wire would mean that the existing fuse between battery and amp would

change to a 350 amp fuse, correct?

Thanks in advance!!

Click to read more...

 

[amr952 10+ year member]

What amp, amps are you using, this will help in ansering all your questions more clearly.

1) You should usually do the Big 3 first, it is a good upgrade and will usually get rid of the problem. If it does not get rid of the problem you are still going to need it when you get your HO alt so it wont hurt to do it early.

2) I just go to like Partsamerica and put in my car and look at the stock alts they have. It looks like you probably have a 110 or somewhere in that area.

3) Upgrading to 1/0 wire would mean that the existing fuse between battery and amp would change to a 350 amp fuse, correct? NO You only need to put the 350 amp fuse between the alternator + and the Battery +, you need to keep the fuse you have between the amp and the battery. (Depending on what amp you have). That is all I can ans. of this question because I do not know what kind of amp you have please let me know then I can help you out.

I assumed you have read this, if not give this a read and then come back and ask more questions. Big 3

 

[Ignatowski 5,000+ posts]

The big three is the single greatest thing you can do for a cars electrical system

when using electrical toys such as car audio........

4GA is plenty for your set up as well as your Big 3 addition

 

[amr952 10+ year member]

The big three is the single greatest thing you can do for a cars electrical systemwhen using electrical toys such as car audio........

4GA is plenty for your set up as well as your Big 3 addition

^^^^^ lol what he said, I did not see that you listed your amp on that, oops sorry. Yeah 4 ga is great. I dont know how i missed that, good catch:crazy:

 

[CanIBDom 10+ year member]

Thanks for the quick replies! Looks like I'll be getting the 1/0 and ring terminals this week. I think the only question I still have is where to buy a 350 amp fuse and fuse holder. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Blazin_Jason 10+ year member]

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&SO=2&&DID=7&CATID=41&ObjectGroup_ID=239

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?&Webpage_ID=3&DID=7&CAT_ID=41&ObjectGroup_ID=240&SO=2

They seem to be about the cheapest I have found. I just ordered those to do my car and my g/f's car.

Jason

 

[Shelbrain 10+ year member]

Where are you getting the 350 am fuse from? (Not where to buy it, how did you arrive at that size fuse)

 

[CanIBDom 10+ year member]

Where are you getting the 350 am fuse from? (Not where to buy it, how did you arrive at that size fuse)

I've read that you should fuse the wire to its amp capacity on several websites. Here's one I have bookmarked:

http://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp

 

[Shelbrain 10+ year member]

I've read that you should fuse the wire to its amp capacity on several websites. Here's one I have bookmarked:
http://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp

Ok, so will you actually have two inline fuse holders in your engine compartment? 1 to the amp(s) and 1 for the big 3 upgrade?

 

[Blunt 10+ year member]

Ok, so will you actually have two inline fuse holders in your engine compartment? 1 to the amp(s) and 1 for the big 3 upgrade?

Yes

 

[CanIBDom 10+ year member]

Reading the How to select the proper fuse size thread seems to clear things up for me. Thanks again for all the replies! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/veryhappy.gif.fec4fed33b4a1279cf10bdd45a039dae.gif

 

[Ignatowski 5,000+ posts]

just get the largest fuse you can find and youll be fine