The basic 3 and HO Alternator

[grocery getter 10+ year member]

I have a '05 Cobalt w/2.2L, Wanting to put in a couple more amp's to run total about 1200W RMS. What size basic 3 cables should I use? Makes? Size HO alt? I dont want dimming issues or starving amps of power. Any help would be appreciated, kinda new at this level.

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[05fronty 5,000+ posts]

1/0 for the big 3. you will probably just need another battery in back for 1200 watts.

 

[tpmeredith 10+ year member]

Ya you probably don't need a H/O alt for only 1200w, what size is the stock alt?

Big 3 use 1/0, no point in using smaller cables when it's so cheap as it is, make sure to fuse it / etc

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

I think those car have 120s but I'm not sure

 

[tpmeredith 10+ year member]

I think those car have 120s but I'm not sure

If thats the case that should be plenty for 1200rms

Start with big 3, if you still have a voltage drop, get 2nd battery, should be good after that, can get deka's from bad4health for ~120 i think, could be closer to 140

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

1/0 big 3 extra battery in the rear. no worries about the alt like everyone else said

 

[grocery getter 10+ year member]

Not sure about oem alt. But thanks for everyones replies, appreciate the help.

 

[grocery getter 10+ year member]

What would be good quality cables? Monster? I would be doing the upgrade in a cobalt, and tips or tricks I should know about?

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

Knukoncepts is the best wire for the price

 

[i2ain2thunder 10+ year member]

I used Cadence 0gauge for my Big3 you can get 7.5feet which should be all you need off evilbay for like 15$ shipped, decent quality wire too. I have a 2.2L Ecotech in my 04 Cavalier which I think is maybe the same engine as the Cobalt? Just guessing. If thats the case you'll have at least a 105 amp alternator. I'm running more than twice the power you have right now off all stock, I have dimming issues and I'm probally starving the amps a little bit, but I am not experiencing any major issues. New Battery on the way and I'll get a HO alt later, but I'd say for what you're running you should be just fine with no dimming even off stock with a Big3 upgrade to your wiring like these guys are saying. Oh also you might have to go from under the car to get to the + charge bolt on the alternator (it was a huge pain for me) but the - runs were simple.

 

[grocery getter 10+ year member]

Cool, yeah same eng. Thanks for the makes of wire, i'll check 'em out.

 

[grocery getter 10+ year member]

I need to fuse this cable going to battery? What size fuse?