phoenix901223

Has anyone upgraded factory wiring? Done the big 3? Running 1000 watt amp with lights, fans, LEDS, my jeeps like a circus on the inside. Feel like my subs should hit harder, until I can find a cheap 136 GC alt, id like to do other cheaper upgrades. Has anyone done the big three wire upgrade and noticed a difference?? Is it worth my time?


Big three link

http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/...TID~73496~PN~1

VTJeep

idk about this big 3 you speak of, i guess its time to do some research!... but, i am more familiar with stereos. how many watts are you running? if your set up is around 1000w. then its time for a cap. you need 1 farad for every 1000w. do you have a second battery?
going back to the wiring, though, i would only agree that a wiring upgrade is a good thing. in general, jeep wasnt known for the quality of wires in their older rigs.

ok, oops. i now see in your post you clearly state your wattage... 1000. so, yea, that coupled with all th other gizmos will result in some serious power drain... i wonder now if the big 3 isnt the bat., alt., and wiring? or something of the nature? get a good optima-type battery (at least one!) and like a 1.5f cap... or if your gonna do anything diff. w/ stereo, then get a 2.0f cap.

phoenix901223

Its a 1000 wat mono kenwood running 2 p2 10's @ 2ohms prob drawing 800w realistically. Only one batt its oversized for the jeep & its brand new. The big three is upgraded alt wires & ground wires chassis and block I think.

VTJeep

ok, right on. what head unit do you have? im sure your slamming pretty good! are your p2's dvc? how are you subs wired? a good reference is crutchfield:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-kBoCZS7...rs_wiring.html

but back tothe point, yea, do that upgrade man. youll be pleased.

HCCAFan

Caps are crap. Yes the big 3 will help. More importantly though, how many amps does your amp draw?

VTJeep

gotta explain this one for me.

phoenix901223

I have a crappy kenwood HU, wish I spent the extra money when I was shopping. I don't like the way it sends out the low ranges it sounds like the sub is hitting a little late or a little slow, the HU has no x-over tuning options either. Yes the subs are 4ohm dvc I have them wired at 2 ohms to the amp, im not expert but I've set up many systems that's how I have the feeling that my setup could be performing better. I have also heard caps are crap, but have no personal exp with them so I cannot judge.

VTJeep

ya know, i ran a kenwwod unit and it sucked! it was a cheap replacement till i could get my pioneer. all the bass frequencies were way of. it would only hit in a very high, punchy range... like that ludacris song "what them girls like" the bass in that song was what every song sounded like... i guess im outta the loop w/ the cap thing. i know they arent like some awesome, amazing, make your stereo sound freat devise. but i think the idea is that you just put LESS draw on your other components like the battery and alternator... idk, i dont have one cause im only running 2 10's on a 320w amp... andi gotta say, for the low amperage, they hit

phoenix901223

Not sure based on a multimeter, but mathamatically speaking if w=av a 500 watt rms amp would pull 42 amps at 12v or 36 amps at 14v, with max 1000 watts pulling 83a @ 12v and 71a @ 14v.

Doesn't sound promising running a 90a alt.

Not sure of that works in real life but I know it works in the world of algebra lol

Diesel

About capacitors in my sig.


Its really like big 5 lol, alt to block-, block to frame-, battery to chassis -, alt to battery +, battery to distro +

phoenix901223

Im willing to upgrade all of it, haven't taken a look yet, im at school and its raining, What guage should I go, 4..2.. lower? And what are these hooked onto ? Im assuming some beefy ring terminals on bolts? I have to stop at home depot, you can help me with my list

VTJeep

as far as the gauge goes, its really preference. but make sure that all wires have equal ga. if, lets say, you have a 2ga. into an amp, and an 8ga. out to ground, there will be a very uneven signal and it CAN cause issues. idk if it just messes w/ SQ, or if its actually bad for the system itsself...? idk... and yes, get the good quality connectors! i wish i could supply more specific info here... GL!

Diesel

4 gauge, about 25 feet of it. And 12 ring terminals, 2 extra in case of ****ty crimps.

VTJeep

^^^there it is^^^

Malik3404

wiring down to 2ohm has that amp pilling hard on your electrial.

big 3 or 5 should help, use the cap $$ on a altenator upgrade, you might wanna look @ a duel batt set up too