Menu
Forum
What's new
New posts
Live Activity
Search forums
Members
Registered members
Classifieds Member Feedback
Car Audio Discussion
General Car Audio
Car Audio Build Logs
Car Audio Equipment
Subwoofers
Speakers
Amplifiers
Head Units
Car Audio Help
Wiring, Electrical and Installation
Enclosure Design & Construction
Car Audio Classifieds
Car Audio Classifieds
Car Audio Wanted
Classifieds Member Feedback
Gallery
New media
New comments
Search media
SHOP
Shop Head Units
Shop Amplifiers
Shop Speakers
Shop Subwoofers
Shop eBay Car Audio
Test
Forum
Search
Search titles only
Search titles only
Log in / Join
Search
Search titles only
Search titles only
What's new
New posts
Live Activity
Search forums
Members
Registered members
Classifieds Member Feedback
Menu
Reply to thread
Forum
Car Audio Help
Wiring, Electrical & Installation
*cough*cough* big 3 *cough*
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Message
<blockquote data-quote="keep_hope_alive" data-source="post: 8656960" data-attributes="member: 576029"><p>The Big 3 reduces voltage drop due to current draw on the factory wiring. It does not increase the output current from the alternator which inevitably determines operating voltage. if dimming goes away when the engine RPM are around 2000 but appears at idle then the issue may be simply due to the system exceeding what the alt can provide. A volt meter is handy for this diagnosis. </p><p></p><p>Factory grounds are usually undersized so those are the highest priority. The factory alt wire is likely 4awg but it will have a better insulation than most aftermarket wiring so the insulation may be thinner, thus making the wire seem smaller. OEM wire adheres to ASTM standards while aftermarket wire does not. </p><p></p><p>A second run of 8awg from alt to battery can improve current delivery by reducing resistance but only if the connections are really high quality. There is usually more resistance in the connection than in the actual wire. Adding a second alt wire usually means compromising the protective boot, letting water and dirt get at the connection. All that is to say that adding a parallel connection cannot make the total resistance worse but gains may be minimal if not properly executed. Additionally, connections with resistance generate heat (because resistance dissipates heat and consumes power). Lastly, I recommend fusing the alt-batt wire at the battery, as any battery connection should be. </p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="keep_hope_alive, post: 8656960, member: 576029"] The Big 3 reduces voltage drop due to current draw on the factory wiring. It does not increase the output current from the alternator which inevitably determines operating voltage. if dimming goes away when the engine RPM are around 2000 but appears at idle then the issue may be simply due to the system exceeding what the alt can provide. A volt meter is handy for this diagnosis. Factory grounds are usually undersized so those are the highest priority. The factory alt wire is likely 4awg but it will have a better insulation than most aftermarket wiring so the insulation may be thinner, thus making the wire seem smaller. OEM wire adheres to ASTM standards while aftermarket wire does not. A second run of 8awg from alt to battery can improve current delivery by reducing resistance but only if the connections are really high quality. There is usually more resistance in the connection than in the actual wire. Adding a second alt wire usually means compromising the protective boot, letting water and dirt get at the connection. All that is to say that adding a parallel connection cannot make the total resistance worse but gains may be minimal if not properly executed. Additionally, connections with resistance generate heat (because resistance dissipates heat and consumes power). Lastly, I recommend fusing the alt-batt wire at the battery, as any battery connection should be. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forum
Car Audio Help
Wiring, Electrical & Installation
*cough*cough* big 3 *cough*
Top
Menu
Home
Refresh