Do I need a bigger battery or alternator?

[Dr. Bogger]

I'm not dead set on it, it's just I already have a 4 AWG kit I've had in storage for a while lol.. But I may just go for a 0 AWG kit just in-case..

[Dr. Bogger]

I just purchased 1/0 AWG Wire from KnuKonceptz along with a fused distro block, and a ground distro block.

[Dr. Bogger]

Heres what I got:

Code: Select all

Item #       Product Name                                                 QTY     Price       Total
KCA-PK0      KCA 1/0 Power Amplifier Installation Kit (250A)               1     $59.99       $59.99
KNF-12       KonFUSED 2 Way Distribution System (150A,100A)                1     $14.99       $14.99
KCA4BK       KCA Kable 4 Gauge Ultra Fleks Black CCA Ground Cable          3     $0.95        $2.85
KCA4BL       KCA Kable 4 Gauge Ultra Fleks Blue CCA Power / Ground Cable   3     $0.95        $2.85
KCA8BK       KCA Kable 8 Gauge Ultra Fleks Black CCA Ground Cable          3     $0.47        $1.41
KCA8R        KCA Kable 8 Gauge Ultra Fleks Red CCA Power / Ground Cable    3     $0.47        $1.41
KLA-5M-BK    Klarity RCA Cable 2 Channel RCA Kable 5 Meter                 3     $7.99        $23.97
KRD12BL      Kord Ultra Flex 12 Gauge Speaker Wire                         20    $0.60        $12.00
KRD16BL      Kord Ultra Flex 16 Gauge Speaker Wire                         50    $0.30        $15.00
FD1263BK     Female Disconnect 10/12 Gauge Black                           2     $0.50        $1.00
FD1263R      Female Disconnect 10/12 Gauge Red                             2     $0.50        $1.00
ST88BK       Gold Plated 8 Gauge Spade Terminal - Black                    1     $0.65        $0.65
ST88R        Gold Plated 8 Gauge Spade Terminal - Red                      1     $0.65        $0.65
RT1/0516R    Gold Plated 1/0 Ring Terminal -Red                            2     $1.75        $3.50
RT1/0516BK   Gold Plated 1/0 Ring Terminal - Black                         2     $1.75        $3.50
IXOS-GB14    Close Out - IXOS Ground Block 0 gauge to four 4 gauge         1     $9.99        $9.99
ST168BK      Gold Plated 16 Gauge Spade Terminal - Black                   5     $0.25        $1.25
ST168R       Gold Plated 16 Gauge Spade Terminal - Red                     5     $0.25        $1.25

SubTotal: $157.26
Shipping: $16.99
Sales Tax: $0.00
Total: $174.25

[neonblack]

Not sure about Big 3. I tried that and my battery died right away. Get a battery (Premium) which has more amperage than a standard battery that fits in your car. I have 98 Pontiac Sunfire and running 3 amps to ADS comps 100W (2 pr.), Kicker 8" subs 150W (2), JLAudio, Kenwood amps with a Standard battery but I'm going to replace that.

[JeremyC]

Not sure about Big 3. I tried that and my battery died right away.

Really? I'm curious how you did it, cause that should NEVER happen.

[neonblack]

I followed Big 3 tutorial which I forget now. But I think I ran all 1/0 ga. from (1) Neg. battery terminal to Chassis (2) One wire from alternator to battery (forget + or -), (3) One wire from Neg. battery terminal to engine block? And within a week my battery died.

[JeremyC]

Sounds like your battery had problems to start with.

All the big three upgrade does, is allow for better current flow through your electrical system. Done properly, it should never cause a battery to die.

[Bwcad1]

Sounds like your battery had problems to start with.

All the big three upgrade does, is allow for better current flow through your electrical system. Done properly, it should never cause a battery to die.

Yup for sure. Also dont run 1/0 for your Alt to battery wire as the resistance in the wire is less than the resistance of the post on the back of the alternator which could heat up and do internal damage to the alt.

[GlassWolf]

1/0 gauge with a stock alternator is a bit pointless, but so is running 1400 watts of amplifiers on an alternator that can only output maybe 100A peak.. unless you only plan to use this system when the engine is shut off.
If you want to go that route, consider using a battery isolator and a dedicated audio system battery (or more than one.)

[6rey6oose]

This post is really old but you would need to start with an alternator that is more powerful, figure how much power your car consumes, then figure out how much your system uses(average not full power) and then add those together and see what amperage you need altogether, add a little extra to be sure.
Modern day alternators cannot charge at full capacity very long. If you drain your massive battery system by running it without running your car, it will kill your alternator and battery over time. You need to limit the charge of the battery from the alternator if you want to do this often and you need a battery that doesn't mind frequently being drained.
The cables are important if you use way more power than they are rated for. You can use an amperage meter to see if you are drawing too much for the wire to handle. You should replace your ground wire and alternator wire which may not be cut and dry as you would think.
If you add a second battery and regulate the charge of the audio system battery, you can use your audio system with the engine off without worrying about killing your alternator but your battery will still suffer from heavy use so you need to get a deep cycle battery made for this purpose.
This setup will be initially expensive but should last much longer and save you money in the long run. However if you do not mind replacing your alternator and battery every 6mo. - 1.5yrs you can most likely survive without any of these things so see how long your current alternator and battery lasts and then adjust.