Big 3 in 3/0 pointless?

[SilveyPuck08v2]

we did a Kinetik 2400 (was a ***** making it fit under the hood) 300A alt install in my brothers '06 trail blazer pushing 2k rms subs & 800 rms front stage......& wired the big 3 w/ 2/0 weld wire (left all factory wiring, easy to return to stock when hes ready to sell)

battery + -- alternator

battery + -- fuse box

battery + -- starter

battery - -- alternator casing

battery - -- frame

battery - -- fender

battery - -- firewall

then 2/0 runs for the amp + & - back to the batterys. Some say it's overkill, but we had plenty of 2/0 weld wire, 2/0 weld lugs, & a hydraulic crimper....so..whatever.

when you're using 1/0 2/0 etc gauge wire make sure you use the proper tools to crimp them, a vise or punch won't work well. wrap the ends in tape to protect the exposed copper. if you dont have the equipment its worth the $$$ to have a shop do it for you.

 

[roarzorz 10+ year member]

Waste. 1/0awg is plenty.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

Just because your alt is rated at 300a, you won't see a consistent 300a out of it.
If you need more than 1/0, then double up. It gets hard to work with larger wire.

This. There's a reason most of the big competitors just run multiple runs of 1/0, it's cheaper and easier to work with. Once you get up in those welding cable sizes it becomes harder to find the terminals to fit and you end up paying a premium for them. If your really going to be running that much power, then just do several runs of 1/0 (both + and -) to the back.