Question about 4g big 3

[Xjeff 10+ year member]

A buddy of mine told me today his amp a 500.1 kicker is making his headlights dim at night in his 2001 neon, I have about 15 ft of 4g laying around right now and was wondering if it would help or not really? I know he should use 0/1 but I don't hv any extra laying around. For the time being should we spend the time to do it? He plan on getting a 0/1 this spring but I told him that's too long to wait.

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[IonRL205 10+ year member]

Probably wouldn't make a difference

If he's dimming from 500 watts, he's got other electrical issues he needs to address.

 

[Xjeff 10+ year member]

Ok we'll go run a scan see if anything pops up. I don't think he has a problem tho, think its just think it the stress from heater and lights and probably poor gain settings on his part. But hey I can't make him change that stuff, but I figured running 4g with the stock 10-8g would help some.

 

[Xjeff 10+ year member]

All phyisical wiring and parts came back ok, just over setting his gains I bet, but he said he's gonna get a bigger amp for Christmas, but still not upgrade his wiring until this spring. So would we possibly save his car by using 4g for the time being? Or really not going to help anything?

 

[04murdalanche]

any additional wire will help obviously, how much is the question..

you really need 0 gauge to have a significant differece, but if you have the 4 ga around and arent using it, you may as well use it.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

any additional wire will help obviously, how much is the question..
you really need 0 gauge to have a significant differece, but if you have the 4 ga around and arent using it, you may as well use it.

^^This^^4 ga is better than the smaller wiring that is existing,and should help out.Id run it and see how she does,deff wouldnt hurt, and its lying around..Use It.I say..Why not?

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

It probrably wouldnt hurt to go get the alt checked out, along with the batt,at Autozone/Orileys with and without a load,,Its Free there

 

[04murdalanche]

^^This^^4 ga is better than the smaller wiring that is existing,and should help out.Id run it and see how she does,deff wouldnt hurt, and its lying around..Use It.I say..Why not?

its not doing him any good laying on the floor thats for sure! lol

 

[Sleeklsc 5,000+ posts]

What those 2 guys said. Certaintly can't hurt anything.

I used some spare ofc 4awg and it made a difference on my car. Iirc, I gain a tenth @ idle and dimming decreased.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

Use the 4 gauge for big three and leave the stock wiring in place. Replace with 1/0 when your ready to upgrade. Gains must be set wrong to have dimming with 500 watts.

 

[Better-Action 10+ year member]

What size wire he running to his amp? Check hie ground as well, see if its solidl. Shouldn't be dimming with 500.

 

[esmokah 10+ year member]

It couldn't hurt, but I doubt it'll help much. His stock alt is prob maxed out. It ***** when you have a hard headed friend who does things backwards. I tell them they can call me when they are ready to do it my way.

 

[av83 10+ year member]

Short runs of decent four gauge will transfer much more than the 150 amps its rated for in longer lengths. A four Ga big three would be far preferable to stock, and is fine for a lot of systems that one would assume 0 GA is needed for.

But I suspect the gain is just too far up in this instance.

 

[Sleeklsc 5,000+ posts]

Short runs of decent four gauge will transfer much more than the 150 amps its rated for in longer lengths. A four Ga big three would be far preferable to stock, and is fine for a lot of systems that one would assume 0 GA is needed for.
But I suspect the gain is just too far up in this instance.

True, my + run is about 2' and my grounds are both under 2' each. I've seen some + runs that are 6' spanning the entire length of the bay, in that case I wouldn't bother with 4awg. Though it would still be better over stock.

 

[Xjeff 10+ year member]

Thanks guys plan on running the 4g this weekend. He said he's planning on getting a new amp since he has a over set the gain to get it the way he likes...just wondering if he'll be able to save that amp in time lol.