Wire Gauge

[AllenH427 10+ year member]

Right now, I have an Alpine MRP-M500, and an MRP-F550. I'm running that with 8 awg wiring. I upgraded my battery already, and I believe it puts out 730 CCA. My headlights dim just a little, but I can keep my car off, blasting music, for a long time and I don't hear it struggling to turn over the engine like I do in the winter. I'm about to get 2 12" type-rs running off an Audioque 1200D. I planned on running 4 awg wires to my distribution block, 4 awg to the 1200D, and 8 awg to the F550. I realize my headlights will probably dim more, but is it worth getting a better alternator?

My friend with a similar setup as what I'm about to get, he doesn't even have a new battery, and his headlights barely dim.

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[tristanmay 10+ year member]

i wouldnt mess with another alt. if you dont have to. what amperage is your alternator putting out now?

imo just get a bigger batter upfront or make a run of 0 from the front battery to a 2nd

small battery (700cca or so) in the back

also your best bet is to go with a car audio battery but if you want to get somthing cheap you could go with a sealed deep cycle battery

btw im sending a pm because im curious what part of ohio your in as i also live in ohio

good luck!

 

[bigaudiofanati2 10+ year member]

Yes better alt and upgrade to 4 gauge.

 

[Bobby322 10+ year member]

You don't need a bigger alt. Big 3 and maybe another battery or upgrade the under hood one.

 

[BeAlLsTaR13 10+ year member]

ive got an aq1200d running off stock 105amp alt with big three, voltage doesnt normally dip below 13.1 with 1 run of knu fleks 4g wire

so you should be fine with 4g wire + big three + maybe a secondary batt for back, or a good starting batt such as hc1400