upgrade the big 3

[lowvpcal]

the big three refers to the main current carrying wires in your commodores electrical system. with this upgrade you will be able to increase the current flow and maximize the power output of your audio system. 1. the alternator positive to the battery positive 2. the battery negative to the chassis 3. the engine ground to the chassis.

things you will need:
1/0 gauge ring terminals
2x gold plated battery terminals (+ and -)
200 amp circuit breaker
about 1 meter of red 1/0 gauge cable
about 1.5m black/brown 1/0 gauge cable

the stock battery is wired with 6 gauge power and ground cable. this small cable will limit flow in a high output audio system.

1. crimp a 1/0 ring terminal to the 1/0 cable, and then attach the cable to the alternator output. run the cable to the battery and be sure to secure the cable away from any heat sources and moving parts.

2. using 1/0 ring terminals and cable, upgrade the ground path from the battery to the chassis and engine.

3. to complete the upgrade grab the battery terminals and attach the new 1/0 gauge power and ground cables and the original accessory cables to the battery (+ and - respectively). this has a nice clean look on the battery and also has a solid attachment point for the upgraded cables.

4. the wire that runs to the amplifiers is protected by a 200 amp circuit breaker mounted next to the battery. i measured a substantial increase of voltage (about 1.5v) by doing this simple upgrade. the next step would be upgrading to a high performance battery. ill post pics up soon so its easy for you guys to follow. happy travels dave

 

[tezza_vess]

Any pics yet?

 

[lowvpcal]

sorry completely forgot ill do it today haha

 

[tezza_vess]

No worries

 

[Denno]

I too would like some photos.. I'm keen to see how you connected the 0 gauge terminal to the back of the alternator, as there is a ridge right the way around the screw, so there isn't much room to have it manoeuvred. Please some photos of the connection at the back of the alternator?

Thanks

 

[delcowizzid]

4 gauge is plenty enough for the alternator

 

[VYHDT]

sounds interesting, awaiting pics

 

[acarmody]

Yeah what delcowizzid said, 4 gauge can easily handle the 100 amps your alternator puts out. Obviously ensure that the crimps on each end are rock solid and that it can't touch and sort of grounding spot, unless of course its for ground.

 

[AmmoJammo]

Yeah what delcowizzid said, 4 gauge can easily handle the 100 amps your alternator puts out. Obviously ensure that the crimps on each end are rock solid and that it can't touch and sort of grounding spot, unless of course its for ground.

he didn't say 4 gauge, he said 4/0 or 6/0 which is 0000 or 000000... in other words, 2-3 times the current handling of 0ga cable...

http://www.andybaird.com/travels/skylarking/2008/photos/4-0-cable.jpg

 

[delcowizzid]

haha arcomody knew what i meant LOL