Official CarAudio.com Big 3 Thread

[InfinitePeace 10+ year member]

Ok, I just bought a 130a ho alt. Im gonna do the big 3 with 0 gauge.
first question: what size fuse do I use for it?

second question: Do I connect the old wires to the terminals or leave them disconnected?

thanks //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

A lot of people are going to disagree, but Ohio Generator told me use as big as I want but only use 4 awg for the alt to batt pos because anything bigger would not fit properly on the alt post and would just overheat. They said leave the existing wire intact and do NOT fuse it. I've been debating this in other threads but since I had the electrical 100% professionally done and the fact that they have been building alternators for 30 years for this purpose... I listened to them.

 

[bigmack2007 10+ year member]

alright i have a question. i drive a jeep grand cherokee which is a unibody car. im going to use 1/0 gauge wire from the positive alt to the pos battery and from the negative battery to the frame. do i need to connect the chassis to the engine block? sorry im new to this.

 

[dbhittin 5,000+ posts]

did mine today with fosgate power wire.. only took 25ish mins..

 

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

Too many post to read, but just curious. The 300 amp fuse from positve alt to positve battery, if that fuse was to blow. Can I even start my car?

 

[Dingleberry 10+ year member]

Too many post to read, but just curious. The 300 amp fuse from positve alt to positve battery, if that fuse was to blow. Can I even start my car?

You can jumper it. But you'll be running off the battery, so the distance you travel may be limited.

 

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

Whaaat.....that's krazy. So is it even common for a 300 amp fuse to blow?

 

[Dingleberry 10+ year member]

Whaaat.....that's krazy. So is it even common for a 300 amp fuse to blow?

Not usually but if it does, it'll be something catastrophic.

 

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

I see...so do I HAVE to disconnect my stock alt pos to bat pos. Or can I just attach the 1/0 gauge on?

 

[Dingleberry 10+ year member]

I see...so do I HAVE to disconnect my stock alt pos to bat pos. Or can I just attach the 1/0 gauge on?

Add on to your existing wiring and replace it with 0 gauge. Just run some wire loom over it. The engine bay gets pretty toasty. And make sure it clears everything hot, e.g. exhaust manifold, valve covers etc.

 

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

So...should I disconnect the stock or leave it on?

 

[Dingleberry 10+ year member]

So...should I disconnect the stock or leave it on?

Since your car's fairly new, just add the 0 gauge power cable to your alternator. Leave your stock wiring in place and add onto it. Unless you're going to keep the car for awhile. Then by all means, replace everything.

But either way, electricity will find the path with least resistance. So even if you add a bigger power cable and the stock wiring's still in place. The current will flow through 0 gauge cable. Just by being easier to go through. Also if you disconnect everything some systems might malfunction.

 

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

thanks man. I think i'll just add it on.

 

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

I don't want to be 2 hours away from home and my car not work and find out that i need a fuse to start my car. =P

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

then dont put a fuse in your wire

 

[XxSuperAdamxX 10+ year member]

but...I just bought a new incline 1/0 fuse.