Need help with voltage drops, upgrades to electical

[ronjon228 10+ year member]

After installing my new Alpine amp, I've noticed my electrical system just isn't up to snuff and I'm curious what would be the most effective way to bring it up to par. I've never really had this much of a problem with my lights dimming even though the sub amp I replaced was a class A/B. This is either making me think my alternator is on the way out, or my A/B amp was severely over-rated and the Alpine is under-rated. Here's my specs.

Car: 1999 Buick Regal 3.8L (non-SC)

Electrical: Stock

Power Wire: Approx. 12ft 4 gauge from "battery" to fused distro block with 3x8 gauge out

Ground Wire: Approx. 2ft of 4 gauge (chassis) to distro block with 3x8 gauge out

Comp Amp: Visonik V500HC (running bridged, supposedly does 50x4 @ 4ohms, can't find a bridged power rating)

Sub Amp: Alpine MRP-M500 (running 2ohms, rated 500x1 @ 2ohms)

I initially thought my ground may be the problem, but have since sanded, drilled, tapped and bolted a new ground wire. I used a terminal right and made the new ground right on the trunk floor. Also, I checked all my distro blocks and amp connections. All are in tact and secured very well.

I'm now thinking my positive wire could be the problem. My car has one of those batteries that is buried inside the engine compartment and has a relocated + terminal up near the top of the engine bay, near the passenger side fender. This is what I'm currently using for my 4 guage power wire connection. I'm thinking this may be causing the short comings in current supply.

Also, I'm wondering if my system requires other electrical upgrades to the car. I'm doing the big 3 this weekend and am curious what else I may need. I'm not sure what would be the most cost effective way to supplement the electrical, or if I even need anything more than the big 3. Or should I just do the big 3 and then see how the system performs then?

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[mdillon 10+ year member]

search for "big 3" your not running enough power to run into problems. do the big three and overkill your grounds everywhere possible.

 

[jacka 10+ year member]

yeah just do the big 3 and see how your electrical system does afterwards. you should be ok since youre not running too much power.

 

[ronjon228 10+ year member]

Yea, definitely going to be doing the big 3. What gauge wire should I use for this. I was thinking 4-gauge should be fine. What size for this setup should I be using?

Also, you don't think my problems could be coming from using the "relocated" battery interface instead of the actual battery terminal? I've ordered a new battery post to allow me to interface directly to the battery so I will be installing that soon as well. I just think it may be contributing to the problem right now.

Edit: Added a picture of the engine bay. If you look you can see that red cover near the passenger fender. Under that is an "accessory" positive terminal post. It's not the actual battery, just a relocated post since the battery is buried down in the engine bay. That's what I'm using for my 4-gauge amp power wire.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

always go right to the battery

 

[Rookie_80 10+ year member]

Haven't done Big 3 myself but from what i read 1/0 gauge suggested

 

[brtnboarder3241 5,000+ posts]

upgrading your wire from anythingbesides stock always helps 4 gauge would be fine, but if you dont mind and have the few extra$ 1/0 would be prefered for room in the future (if you ever decide to upgrade your system)