Voltage!!!

[big_mofo 10+ year member]

alright, i have a 2002 Buick Regal. Stock alt is 120amps. i have the big 3 done with some extra 4ga wire i had.. now my question, when my system is on full tilt (35/60) the voltage on my 6800mp shows between 11.5-12.2, why is the drop so bad. when i had my crossfire bmf600d it dropped to 12-12.5, an it gets lower now with the kx1200.1. as soon as i get the money i am goin to do the big3 in 4/0 an i know it should help a little, but is there something wrong with my alt, or something?? i am a little stumped. any help would be appreciated guys..

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[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

First thing that comes to mind is do you realize exactly how large 4/0awg cable is?

 

[big_mofo 10+ year member]

yes, i would like 4/0 but i may do 2/0, idk

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

yes, i would like 4/0 but i may do 2/0, idk

For almost all users upgrading the Big 3 to 1/0 is sufficient. Unless you plan on pulling some serious current I cannot see the expenditure of going with 4/0 cable being justified but to each their own, I suppose...

My Big 3 is done in 1/0awg and running a Kenwood Performance Standard KAC-PS500F four channel and a Diamond Audio D61500.1 monoblock (@ 2 Ohms) I get absolutely zero dimming even with the tunes cranked pretty hardcore.

 

[big_mofo 10+ year member]

do you have a new alt?? i was just plannin to go ahead an do 2-4/0 bc within the next year i will be upgrading an doin a wall of 4 Massive CW15's off of either 4 KX1200.1's or 2 2500D's, which is when i would get my 260 irragii alt an 3 Group31 yellow tops

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

do you have a new alt?? i was just plannin to go ahead an do 2-4/0 bc within the next year i will be upgrading an doin a wall of 4 Massive CW15's off of either 4 KX1200.1's or 2 2500D's, which is when i would get my 260 irragii alt an 3 Group31 yellow tops

Not new, exactly...

I had my OEM alternator rebuilt/upgraded in its factory case.

It was stock-rated @ 75a @ 14.2vdc and now does 85A @ 13.8vdc at idle and 165a @ 14.6vdc at anything over 1500 RPM. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[xtremebassjunky 10+ year member]

reason why it drops is because you have a bigger amp pushin the subs... it will **** more juice...

maybe see if you can find something more powerful than yellow tops...

that amp draws around 150 amps...right?

i think it does...

anyways you just need to upgrade the alt... you can get by with a new battery..

but you will still need a bigger alt...

 

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

4 gauge is enough for the big three given the short distances.

 

[Duke 10+ year member]

I'd save the 4/0 wire for any longer distances you may need it for. 1/0 for the big 3 is plenty.

 

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

I'd save the 4/0 wire for any longer distances you may need it for. 1/0 for the big 3 is plenty.

1/0 is all you should ever need unless you are doing comp stuff or running power cable in a limo.

 

[Duke 10+ year member]

1/0 is all you should ever need unless you are doing comp stuff or running power cable in a limo.

I'm using 4/0 for my main run of power from the front bat to the back bat, and 1/0 for the big 3. Works fantastic with a MA HK4000D.