Trying to do Big 3, need help picking out supplies & few other questions.

[zorphon 10+ year member]

Hey all.

I've never done the Big 3 upgrade, but I am having some dimming problems on my 800w system in a 2002 Ford Escort ZX2 stock alternator/battery.

I don't have the money right now to invest in a better alternator or battery, and me new 800w system is in the mail on the way now. I got a capacitor thinking it would solve my problem (my current/old 800w system caused minor dimming at idle, new system going to take slightly more power with a head unit replacing stock stereo and a better 800w amp and what-not).

Would doing the big 3 solve my problems and suffice on my new system?

The only things aftermarket that will be drawing power are a JVC KD-X40 headunit and a Sony Xplod 800w 2-channel amp running bridges.

Can my stock alternator handle those additions? Would the big 3 allow it to handle those additions?

If so and you guys are saying I should go through with the Big 3, where can I buy the wires and what are all the wires I need to buy?

Thanks in advance.

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[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

At a minimum you need a good battery. The big 3 can't help a bad battery.

4 awg would be fine for the big 3. You need 4 awg ring terminals and battery terminals.

 

[zorphon 10+ year member]

At a minimum you need a good battery. The big 3 can't help a bad battery.
4 awg would be fine for the big 3. You need 4 awg ring terminals and battery terminals.

Not entirely sure if my battery is 'bad'. On my old system (just an entry-level MTX Magnum bundle with an 800w monoblock) the lights would dim slightly at idle but be fine while driving. Would a Sony Xplod 800w be able to run on my electrical? I just can't afford a HO Alt right now, and only going to have this car another year or two.

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

Not entirely sure if my battery is 'bad'. On my old system (just an entry-level MTX Magnum bundle with an 800w monoblock) the lights would dim slightly at idle but be fine while driving. Would a Sony Xplod 800w be able to run on my electrical? I just can't afford a HO Alt right now, and only going to have this car another year or two.

You shouldnt have gotten much dimming at all so your batt may be bad... Dont install the cap and yes do the big 3... 4 gauge OFC is an upgrade but if you plan on going bigger step up to 1/0 wire...

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

Also you wont be pulling anywhere near 800 out of that amp... Maybe about 350 bridged cleanly...

 

[Falcons 5,000+ posts]

my first car i put a system in was a 1999 ford escort zx2 if you wanna add me as a friend hit me up on chat and i can answer any questions you have.

 

[nateberrier 10+ year member]

Big 3 is never a bad idea but Better is right you should not be dimming from that. I have money on your gains /bass boost turned up too high or you have a bad ground connection. If you turn your gains up too far the amp will draw MUCH more current than needed and strain your electrical system more than a 1500watt amp.

 

[zorphon 10+ year member]

Big 3 is never a bad idea but Better is right you should not be dimming from that. I have money on your gains /bass boost turned up too high or you have a bad ground connection. If you turn your gains up too far the amp will draw MUCH more current than needed and strain your electrical system more than a 1500watt amp.

I see. Yea I'm switching to a Sony Xplod 800w (a bit cleaner on power than old MTX Magnum amp), and some new drivers.

I'll try the big 3, I guess 4 gauge will suffice for my under 1000 watt system. I think my current amp has the gains pretty high, so that may be the problem. It's all unhooked now because I'm buying a new system and am selling this little MTX bundle, but I'll make sure to check the settings after I get my new system installed professionally (I don't have the time, patience, or tools to do it myself //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif)

Thanks for your help thus far guys. I figured something was a bit wonky because this system is such low power and I'm pretty sure my amp outputs 95 amperes would should be plenty for this system and stock electrical.

 

[zorphon 10+ year member]

Bump

 

[stl_314 10+ year member]

Im pretty sure you are downgrading going from the mtx to the sony

 

[brynm 10+ year member]

Xplod's are garbage, and like mentioned if it says 800 watts on the amp it will not put out 800 watts unless it's hit by lightning.

 

[zorphon 10+ year member]

Xplod's are garbage, and like mentioned if it says 800 watts on the amp it will not put out 800 watts unless it's hit by lightning.

I'm aware, but I got a Sony Xplod 800w for $30 and it's in excellent condition. At least it's CEA compliant at the rating so it atleast does 340w x1 at 4 ohm, whereas the MTX Magnum was doing like 250w x1 at 4 ohm and I'm not even sure if that was compliant or not.

Point being, my stock alternator only does 95amps. How do I know if my stock alternator can support common electrical functions (like AC, headlights, etc.) + that amp? And if it can support the amp, do I have any head room to get a 4-channel for my speakers?

 

[Falcons 5,000+ posts]

I'm aware, but I got a Sony Xplod 800w for $30 and it's in excellent condition. At least it's CEA compliant at the rating so it atleast does 340w x1 at 4 ohm, whereas the MTX Magnum was doing like 250w x1 at 4 ohm and I'm not even sure if that was compliant or not.
Point being, my stock alternator only does 95amps. How do I know if my stock alternator can support common electrical functions (like AC, headlights, etc.) + that amp? And if it can support the amp, do I have any head room to get a 4-channel for my speakers?

i ran a rf t1500-1bd with the same exact car, with an hc800 in the back and never dropped below 12.3 volts.

 

[zorphon 10+ year member]

i ran a rf t1500-1bd with the same exact car, with an hc800 in the back and never dropped below 12.3 volts.

Weird. I was getting dimming lights with just my 800w max MTX Amp that was vastly overrated... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[jsluss17 10+ year member]

sell/return your capacitor and buy a battery. and then send that battery to me because i need one