how many runs??

[juanmgarza26 10+ year member]

I'm going to be running a sq/AQ 3500 and an sq/AQ 120.4

I was originally going to be doing 3 runs of 1/0 straight from the alt to my rear battery, is 3 runs good? Or is that over kill?

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[Boomsday 10+ year member]

Yes its overkill, but its ok to overkill on electrical

 

[juanmgarza26 10+ year member]

Yes its overkill, but its ok to overkill on electrical

I see, thanks, overkill it is lol

 

[bgowdy 5,000+ posts]

I'm going to be running a sq/AQ 3500 and an sq/AQ 120.4I was originally going to be doing 3 runs of 1/0 straight from the alt to my rear battery, is 3 runs good? Or is that over kill?

yea 3 would def be enough. you could just do 2 if you wanted, but if you already have the wire then do 3

 

[juanmgarza26 10+ year member]

Cool thanks guys

 

[juanmgarza26 10+ year member]

Another question, would it be better to do 2 from the alt to the back batt and one from my front batt to the back batt?

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Overkill is the ONLY way to do electrical. I have 380 ah worth of batteries and a 300 amp alt for 2400 rated sub watts and about 400 rated speaker watts. I have 2 runs of + and -. I say match your power runs with ground runs.

 

[juanmgarza26 10+ year member]

I see that's makes more sense, I'm going to match the number of grounds to pos, wasn't too sure if I match with runs or grounding to chassis

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

But really all you need in wire from the front is just how big your alt is. My alt is 300 amps, which is pushing it for 1 run of 0 gauge, especially with a lot of it hot under the hood, which really increases resistance. So I did 2 runs. All my alt power will make it back with decently low resistance. I also have 4/0 for the big 2, alt + and -. Since mine is closed, no amps are grounded to frame, they are grounded to the battery via wire. So that's why I only have the big 2 instead of big 3 in 4/0. The other run from frame to battery - is in 0 gauge.

 

[juanmgarza26 10+ year member]

Does having your electrical closed make it more efficient?

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Does having your electrical closed make it more efficient?

No, not really. It's just the way I did it. Never took the time to ground anywhere in my vehicle once I had it done. I don't drop voltage really below 14v or so unless I'm playing in the 20's, my ssf is at like 10 hz.

 

[juanmgarza26 10+ year member]

I see, I'm still confused, still researching on my own to find the answered, since my sub and has dual 1/0 inputs, does that have some sort of determination of how many runs I should have in mind? That was the reason for planning 3 runs, whick I already have cut out and soldered

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

I see, I'm still confused, still researching on my own to find the answered, since my sub and has dual 1/0 inputs, does that have some sort of determination of how many runs I should have in mind? That was the reason for planning 3 runs, whick I already have cut out and soldered

Just do 3 then man, and you'll be done with it.

 

[soundstreamer 10+ year member]

When I did competition vehicles I ran:

2 positive 1/0 alternator to front battery

2 negative 1/0 alternator mount to front battery

6 positive and 6 negative runs 1/0 front battery to rear battery

2 positive and 2 negative 1/0 rear battery to amp

Stock wiring runs stock equipment.

This is way overkill for daily, but I don't like grounding to body in the stereo system. I heard this could cause a ground loop, but I haven't experienced it. I know 6000+ watt burps didn't dim headlights either...

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

How big is your alt, how many batts total? You need enough capacity for you alt and whatever front batt will add. I'm betting 2 runs of each will be plenty.

IMO overkill = waste of money. Figure out what you need and do that, anymore is a waste...