Big 3?

[xJTmoney5T 10+ year member]

Ok guys...I'm fairly new to the whole car audio deal so I was hoping you guys could help me out. Before, I had a directed audio 1100d powering 2 jl w3s and even then the lights would dim when i would play them. Right now I have a 15" si mag lying around the house along with a hifonics 1606d. Before I get it all installed I was wondering if my car could support the amp and sub, and on top of that what gauge wires would I need if I wanted the full potential of the amplifier. Oh, and my car is a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T. Thanks, Jason.

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[azimuth 5,000+ posts]

your car's electrical system needs to be upgraded and you need 0/1 guage from the battery to the amp. there's hundred's of posts on here that apply to your situation. search a little

 

[MassOccur 10+ year member]

Big 3 is upgrading the stock OEM wiring. You don't replace the stock OEM wiring though, you just add on additional wire.

Add wire (size appropriate/what you're using for your power wire) from battery Alternator + to Battery +, Add From battery + to Engine Block and Add From Battery - to Chassis. You can also Ground your engine block to your frame which will help complete the circuit. Anything else you're gonna have to search for.

 

[aaron7114 10+ year member]

Big 3 is upgrading the stock OEM wiring. You don't replace the stock OEM wiring though, you just add on additional wire.
Add wire (size appropriate/what you're using for your power wire) from battery Alternator + to Battery +, Add From battery + to Engine Block and Add From Battery - to Chassis. You can also Ground your engine block to your frame which will help complete the circuit. Anything else you're gonna have to search for.

Do you really add wire? I thought you just replaced the stock wire.

If I already have 4 guage stock what should I add? 1994 Honda Accord. Hifonics BX1605D.

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

Do you really add wire? I thought you just replaced the stock wire.
If I already have 4 guage stock what should I add? 1994 Honda Accord. Hifonics BX1605D.

Throw some 1/0awg in there and call it a day //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Upgrading your "Big 3" doesn't increase your charging system's current capacity, mind you, but rather provides it with a more efficient path for that current to flow upon.

If your alternator isn't up to the task of providing enough juice to supply the needs of the car + the current demands created by your aftermarket audio gear then you'll also want to look into upgrading that as well.

A higher storage capacity battery is worth investing in as well.

 

[xJTmoney5T 10+ year member]

Interesting, thanks you guys. But one more clarification question. So, use 1/0 awg for the power wire to my amp and use 4 awg for my amp to my subs? Aaand what about the ground wire? Does it matter what size that is?

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

Interesting, thanks you guys. But one more clarification question. So, use 1/0 awg for the power wire to my amp and use 4 awg for my amp to my subs? Aaand what about the ground wire? Does it matter what size that is?

You're totally confused.

Run 1/0awg from the battery to the back of the car. Use a FUSED distro block to reduce the size down to 4awg before it goes into the amp. Use 12-16awg from the amp to the subs.

Read the Big 3 tutorial in the Wiring section.

 

[skmfkr 5,000+ posts]

Big 3 is upgrading the stock OEM wiring. You don't replace the stock OEM wiring though, you just add on additional wire.
Add wire (size appropriate/what you're using for your power wire) from battery Alternator + to Battery +, Add From battery + to Engine Block and Add From Battery - to Chassis. You can also Ground your engine block to your frame which will help complete the circuit. Anything else you're gonna have to search for.

haha id like to see that

 

[the727kid 10+ year member]

Lol...me too. Make a video when doing that.

 

[lrgnation 10+ year member]

lol i couldnt figure out what was wrong with his sentance... guess i didnt even see the bold!!..

yeah let me see the video too. cough

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