Audio Question about 'big three'
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 135
Likes: 51
From: ROC NY
Audio Question about 'big three'
so short story, i went to go buy a new farad cap for my stereo to help in headlight dimming and ended up hearing about the 'big three'. What the sales person told makes enough sense for me to give it a try but thought to ask here first. He said to run atleast 4 gauge wire from;
1: the battery ground to a ground point on the chassis
2: wire from positive battery post to alternater
3: wire from engine block to chassis
...he said in doing so, my dimming problems will be much improved.
So...my question is; Has anyone tried this? I dont want to crawl under the car to find my results dont change.
1: the battery ground to a ground point on the chassis
2: wire from positive battery post to alternater
3: wire from engine block to chassis
...he said in doing so, my dimming problems will be much improved.
So...my question is; Has anyone tried this? I dont want to crawl under the car to find my results dont change.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota City MN
Yes, this will help! You need to make sure you have a clean surface (no rust/dirt/paint) were you mount the grounds. A battery post extender for adding the Positive wire. Good 4 gauge wire and good ends. I used the copper battery lugs and soldered with heat shrink tube. You can take it to the local parts store and have them crimped as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 860
Likes: 3
I think the point is by running these 3 wires, you can eliminate the headlight dimming problem. The big 3 are 3, 4 gauge wires, not those clowns in Detroit that make cars that we need to do stuff like to make them run right...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 2
From: Redding CA
yes i have done it to my 98 vette. it is a great lost cost upgrade to your electrical. i have a sub in my car and the dimming is much less it is easier on your alternator and battery also. my windows rolled up faster my sound system sounded better. its a great upgrade.
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Michael S. Palmer
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Bethpage NY
St. Jude Donor '09
Big 3
I did it in my 99 vert and it helped a little, but i still had a little dimming in my interior lights. I tried the biggest farrad power cap i could find with no help. I had a custom 200a alternator built and although the car was putting out the amps i still had the dimming problems when I had a high bass song on. My remedy was a KINETIC battery installed in between the veh. battery and the amp and it solved all the dimming problems. It cost about 100 bucks and it has to be fused but the amp runs solely off the kinetic battery and not the veh. battery so no dimming, the veh alternator through the veh battery keps it charged. I have a trickle charger on it for the winter cause i dont drive it much until the warm weather. here is a picture of it.Hope this info helps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,149
Likes: 6
From: NCCO Oklahoma
Here is everything you ever needed to know regarding the "Big 3" in a C5:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1558747303-post59.html
This was posted by PentaVolvo in the Audio/Electronics section of the CF.
Hope this helps.
Mark
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1558747303-post59.html
This was posted by PentaVolvo in the Audio/Electronics section of the CF.
Hope this helps.
Mark
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 955
Likes: 4
From: Union City, CA
I did it in my 99 vert and it helped a little, but i still had a little dimming in my interior lights. I tried the biggest farrad power cap i could find with no help. I had a custom 200a alternator built and although the car was putting out the amps i still had the dimming problems when I had a high bass song on. My remedy was a KINETIC battery installed in between the veh. battery and the amp and it solved all the dimming problems. It cost about 100 bucks and it has to be fused but the amp runs solely off the kinetic battery and not the veh. battery so no dimming, the veh alternator through the veh battery keps it charged. I have a trickle charger on it for the winter cause i dont drive it much until the warm weather. here is a picture of it.Hope this info helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,420
Likes: 8
From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I did this mod when I upgraded the audio, but in retrospect I would recommend it to anyone with a C5 whether you are amping the audio or not. The voltage is much higher and maintains that level of battery voltage no matter what you load the system with (at idle, headlights on, etc). It's a fun and rewarding mod to our cars.