Alternator wire upgrade
Alternator wire upgrade OK I have already searched. I am trying to upgrade the "big 3" in my system, however looking at my alternator I only see a signal wire for the regulator and a ground wire to the battery. What am I missing? Where is the alternator + wire to the battery?
Ditto that, I wondered the same thing a few weeks ago when I did the "big 3" and a HO alternator. I ran clear 4ga from battery to alt. 4ga black for alt to engine. 0ga for my battery to chassis. ALso have a 0ga for positive to dist. block.
Here's a pic before I did the "big 3" and a HO alternator. I used more Stinger stuff when I did the big 3 to make it look nice.
Here's a pic before I did the "big 3" and a HO alternator. I used more Stinger stuff when I did the big 3 to make it look nice.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Midland, TX
I've thought about doing this but what kind of improvements could I expect to see? Would it have any benefit? I now have a yellow top Optima and a 700w amp with 2 12"s. I'm sure there are others that want to know the same thing. Maybe we can get a good amount of info and combine it into a clean thread and Sticky it. This is what I did with the Monsoon system. It stoped a lot of the same repeating questions.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 598
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From: Midland, TX
I guess it would also prolong the alt and batt life since it is getting better flow and there's less resistance. I think I'll try this this weekend. I know a friend who it will help greatly on since he's pushing 1500 watts through his whole system and he's got bad alternator whine with his aftermarket HU.
Infinite:
Where did you get those top post connectors? I need to find some that have a good connection, like gold plated or something. I don't want those cheap ones you can buy at the auto store. I want the competition stereo quality.
Infinite:
Where did you get those top post connectors? I need to find some that have a good connection, like gold plated or something. I don't want those cheap ones you can buy at the auto store. I want the competition stereo quality.
You can check local stereo shops or Cicuit City/Best Buy, they should have exactly what you need. If you still have a side post battery they should have an adapter to that too.
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 598
Likes: 0
From: Midland, TX
Originally Posted by WS6WRX
You can check local stereo shops or Cicuit City/Best Buy, they should have exactly what you need. If you still have a side post battery they should have an adapter to that too.
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Originally Posted by 2000BlkCamaroSS
Infinite:
Where did you get those top post connectors? I need to find some that have a good connection, like gold plated or something. I don't want those cheap ones you can buy at the auto store. I want the competition stereo quality.
Where did you get those top post connectors? I need to find some that have a good connection, like gold plated or something. I don't want those cheap ones you can buy at the auto store. I want the competition stereo quality.
I've since installed my stock alternator back on the car (got a faulty HO alt) with teh BIG 3 upgrade. I can't tell any difference with and without the upgrade. I'm looking forward to getting another HO, that made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in headlight dimming.
Originally Posted by Phoenix57
is it worth upgrading the alt wire with a stock alt?
Usually, you'll gain 0.1-0.4 Volts output. It becomes more important also when you increase the draw upon the wire. Then the smaller ga. wire can increase resistance due to heat build up.
Ideally, you'll want the shortest, Largest Ga. wire you can reasonably afford. Then get Gold plated connector so they can't oxidize and increase resistance. Then get the connectors Crimped on AND Soldered. Then heat shrink them for the best weather resistance.
I'm looking at what it would cost to make assembled kits made in this manner for our cars. I'm running it past another Mod and then the owners to see what we can arrange. I'm a fan of paying the right price for the right equipment. I hate over priced crap.
Also increasing the conductivity of the Chassis Ground, helps with dimming and decreases line loss. This is why the big 3 is a very worth while modification that is actually easy to do. Making the proper connection is sometimes hard to do becuase of the tools needed to make the crimp and then to solder it.
Last edited by Richiec77; Oct 1, 2005 at 06:24 PM.
