Performed 1 step of the Big 3

[ShakesAllDay 10+ year member]

... and it helped! 13.7v to 14.2v (car running @ idle)

Well, I've decided to go ahead w/ the Big 3 install. I don't have a monster system (Alpine M450 and F250), but my headlights (and interior lights) would dim on bass hits. IIRC, my stock alternator puts out 105 amps, which isn't bad, so I don't see a reason to upgrade that. I suppose I could put in a better battery, but decided to see where the Big 3 got me first.

I decided to start w/ the Battery (-) to chassis step first, since it is the easiest. I decided to use 4ga. because of my small system. I picked up some terminal *protectors* (the green and red pads you put around your posts), some Tsunami battery terminals and some battery post/cable protectant spray. I got the spray and terminal protectors because I had quite a bit of oxidation and wanted to see if this stuff helped.

I used stinger 4ga. The stock looked like 8 or 10ga. I took the battery out of the car, cleaned it up (wiped off all oxidation residue and used a post cleaner/scraper on the posts). Then, I installed the battery terminals. I snipped off the old stock wire going from bat(-) to chassis. I replaced it w/ the 4 ga. and a gold-plated ring terminal at the chassis (same hole). There is another wire going to that same spot... I'm unsure where it is going... maybe the alt? Maybe the engine/******?

Put the battery back in and connected all the wires (stock 8ga(+), stock 4ga(+), amp 4ga (+) and new 4ga(-) ground to chassis. I sprayed the terminals and the grounding point w/ the protectant spray, which gives the stuff a cool red gloss... kinda neat. I will have to wipe it all off next time I mess w/ the stuff, but I don't think that will be a big deal.

Before the install, I tested the battery w/ the car running @ idle... it tested 13.6-13.8v. After installing the 4ga(-) wire, I tested it again @ idle... tested 14.1-14.3v. It seems this simple addition has helped already, unless somehow having everything disconnected for 30min. affected something. I'll test again later after driving around and see what I get.

So, I'm impressed. Next are the other 2 (more daunting) steps. I don't even know how I'm gonna get to my alternator. This is gonna be fun.

Click to read more...

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

You probably gained the extra voltage by cleaning the junk off your terminals. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[mtlhead 10+ year member]

you should have left the stock ground as well

 

[SyKo13 5,000+ posts]

What's a big 3

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[05AztecRed 10+ year member]

Then, I installed the battery terminals. I snipped off the old stock wire going from bat(-) to chassis. I replaced it w/ the 4 ga. and a gold-plated ring terminal at the chassis (same hole).

you're NOT supposed to get rid of the stock wiring... You are ADDING to the wiring system.

There is another wire going to that same spot... I'm unsure where it is going... maybe the alt? Maybe the engine/******?

One of the reasons WHY you shouldn't REMOVE stock wiring!

So, I'm impressed. Next are the other 2 (more daunting) steps. I don't even know where my alternator is. This is gonna be fun.

Here is a hint: it's located on the serpentine belt path!

 

[SyKo13 5,000+ posts]

You don't know where the alt. is....

You shouldn't be doing what you're doing if you can't find your alt:fyi:

Fucking genius....

 

[nismos14 5,000+ posts]

you're NOT supposed to get rid of the stock wiring... You are ADDING to the wiring system.

One of the reasons WHY you shouldn't REMOVE stock wiring!

Here is a hint: it's located on the serpentine belt path!

You sure can replace the stock wiring, no problem with that.

 

[SyKo13 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/word.gif.64b12e39f936af3b4fff38a1c0bd0244.gif

BIG 3 usually is just bigger cable

Bigger cable = +voltage + current

 

[ShakesAllDay 10+ year member]

You probably gained the extra voltage by cleaning the junk off your terminals. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

haha Probably. Nice and neat now.

you should have left the stock ground as well

Not necessary. I could have left it, but decided not to... looks cleaner.

you're NOT supposed to get rid of the stock wiring... You are ADDING to the wiring system.

One of the reasons WHY you shouldn't REMOVE stock wiring!

Here is a hint: it's located on the serpentine belt path!

I did ADD to the stock wiring, dipshit. I'm pretty sure 4ga > 10ga.

My new wire and the other wire both mount to the same spot... it didn't matter.

Yes, I know its approximate location. I meant I haven't physically examined it yet. No shit it's in the belt path. I'm not retarded.

You don't know where the alt. is....
You shouldn't be doing what you're doing if you can't find your alt:fyi:

Fucking genius....

What, are you guys 12 years old? Holy sh*t.

-1

You sure can replace the stock wiring, no problem with that.

Thank you.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/word.gif.64b12e39f936af3b4fff38a1c0bd0244.gif
BIG 3 usually is just bigger cable

Bigger cable = +voltage + current

+1

 

[SyKo13 5,000+ posts]

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[Fear Of Theive 10+ year member]

also if you rub peanut butter on the termanials. it seems to help alot and you can eat the peanut butter if your stranded. i picked up +1.9volts just from that.

 

[SyKo13 5,000+ posts]

Get the fuck out.

You should be castrated for posting while stupid

 

[SyKo13 5,000+ posts]

& learn to spell thieve:fyi:

 

[ShakesAllDay 10+ year member]

Not that it matters, but after driving around town for a bit, I came back and rechecked voltage at the battery... still reads 14.15v. Nice. I'm gonna have to get a jack or some tire ramps to attempt the other 2 steps. My big *** can't fit underneath my car.

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

lol. ive only done 1 part of the big 3 as well, but i did my positive alt. to batt. I wasnt having serious drops really even before, but not only did it steady the voltage, but my truck was sometimes hesitating to start, just a little like it was getting JUST enough juice to turn over. Now it has no problem and starts right up, so it can help other things as well. EVentually ill do the other 2 wires, but now the system is out so it doesnt really matter.