Need Some BIG 3 help?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Brandon MS
Need Some BIG 3 help?
I just installed a JL 500/1 and a 300/4, running 4G then split into 8 gauge less that a foot away from the amps, grounded on a 4G to the frame. I have not even hooked the 300/4 yet and the 500/1 is killing the lights I watched the volt meter and going down the road it read 14 – 14.1 and the when the bass hits it reads 12.4 – 12.6 and the lights dim. I was reading about Caps and I see that no one likes them and that the Big 3 will help. Can some one explain in laymen’s terms what the extra wire do. And if anyone has pics of the install the link at the top all I get are little red X’s for the pics.
Thanks
David
Thanks
David
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
first, i reccomend upgrading your wiring to your JL 500. Depending on the distance between your battery and the 500, you may not be getting optimum power to drive that amp. (if you're using high quality power/ground cables i supose it will work)
The big 3 will definatly help. your system's peak draw will be about 65 amps and RMS will be abou 30-40. Depending on your alternator model, you may want to upgrade (if you have the 140 amp model you should be fine)
the Big 3 consists of 3 additional wires (preferably 2-4awg) in the following locations:
1. Alternator output to battery positive
2. Alternator ground (alt mounting bolt) to chassis ground
3. Batter ground to Chassis ground
(in my case I'm taking it a step further by adding a ground wire directly between the battery ground and the alternator ground (simply because i I have top AND side post battery termnals and my post terminal has double connections.)
The big 3 will definatly help. your system's peak draw will be about 65 amps and RMS will be abou 30-40. Depending on your alternator model, you may want to upgrade (if you have the 140 amp model you should be fine)
the Big 3 consists of 3 additional wires (preferably 2-4awg) in the following locations:
1. Alternator output to battery positive
2. Alternator ground (alt mounting bolt) to chassis ground
3. Batter ground to Chassis ground
(in my case I'm taking it a step further by adding a ground wire directly between the battery ground and the alternator ground (simply because i I have top AND side post battery termnals and my post terminal has double connections.)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
There have been a bunch of guys that run similar power, or more power than you are for your system and have solved light dimming issues with just the "big 3" upgrade. Some people do both the big 3 and add a cap as well. Couple schools of thought on the whole cap thing, but if you are going to add a cap make it at least 5 farad IMO.
I have been hoping someone would do a nice write up for a "big 3" upgrade, but have yet to see it, and to be honest I am lazy and don't want to do it myself
Penta maybe? RadioFlyer? We could use a new one as the old one on the forums does not show enough IMO nor does it have working pictures.
Oh and basic reason it works, electricity always takes the path of least resistance, larger wire = less resistance = more efficient power flow = better power delivery and recovery = no light dim (hopefully, definitely reduced)
Fej
I have been hoping someone would do a nice write up for a "big 3" upgrade, but have yet to see it, and to be honest I am lazy and don't want to do it myself
Penta maybe? RadioFlyer? We could use a new one as the old one on the forums does not show enough IMO nor does it have working pictures.
Oh and basic reason it works, electricity always takes the path of least resistance, larger wire = less resistance = more efficient power flow = better power delivery and recovery = no light dim (hopefully, definitely reduced)
Fej
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
It may be a a few days before i can get mine, but i'll get some pics as i do mine (still waiting on the beefy alterator) but i may just wire it up to the stocker until it comes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,718
Likes: 20
From: Dyer IN
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I did a 500/1 and a 300/2 in a C5 ran 4ga then split it out into 8ga to the amps had lots of dimming, did the big 3 in 4ga and bam dimming basically disapeared. Where did you run the power wire for your amps directly from the battery or the accesory power terminal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Brandon MS
its hooked to the aux power terminal, so that may be my main problem(dumb me). I will hook dir to the batt when I get home and then see what I have, and prob going to do the big 3 just to be on the safe side. It would be great to see some pics whenever someone get a chance.
Thanks
David
Thanks
David
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Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
for those of you who don't can't wait on my slow rolling butt 
i dug up some old pics from the forum on the big 3. here's what i got:
bolt on to the alternator power:
to the batt positive:
couldnt' find any grounding photos, but those will be soon to come. I'm thinking about just doing mine today and gettingt he alternator isntalled when it arrives.
i dug up some old pics from the forum on the big 3. here's what i got: bolt on to the alternator power:
to the batt positive:
couldnt' find any grounding photos, but those will be soon to come. I'm thinking about just doing mine today and gettingt he alternator isntalled when it arrives.