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Big 3 Upgrade

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by ThreeMan, Dec 6, 2009.

  1. Dec 6, 2009 at 1:02 PM
    #1
    ThreeMan

    ThreeMan [OP] Opinions Vary...

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    Need relatively quick. Looking to upgrade the Big Three for my stereo install. Any chance someone has the lengths?

    I want to make sure I account for the extra wire. I did a quick search so forgive me if I repost.

    Thanks,

    G3
     
  2. Dec 6, 2009 at 4:02 PM
    #2
    ThreeMan

    ThreeMan [OP] Opinions Vary...

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    Really guys, all the stereo upgrades and no one did this?
     
  3. Dec 6, 2009 at 7:39 PM
    #3
    sooner07

    sooner07 1/2 man 1/2 amazing

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    I never had any power issues to necessitate the upgrade; though I have plenty of 4awg to do it.
     
  4. Dec 6, 2009 at 7:47 PM
    #4
    ItalynStylion

    ItalynStylion Sounds Gooooood

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    Yeah, I have yet to do it yet as I don't even have the amp in yet. I don't know that the truck will really need it though. I know I have the HO alternator so it wont be an issue.
     
  5. Dec 6, 2009 at 7:54 PM
    #5
    futonpimp

    futonpimp Well-Known Member

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    what's a "big 3 upgrade?"...
     
  6. Dec 6, 2009 at 8:14 PM
    #6
    ItalynStylion

    ItalynStylion Sounds Gooooood

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    Increasing the wiring points of the integral wires on the vehicle.

    1) Battery to Frame
    2) Alternator to Battery
    3) Engine Block to Frame
     
  7. Dec 6, 2009 at 9:46 PM
    #7
    futonpimp

    futonpimp Well-Known Member

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    oh cool..now i know..


    Are there huge benefits/reasons to do this?

    I've got 4awg wiring between my 2 amps/their grounds and to the distro block to my battery..
     
  8. Dec 7, 2009 at 6:46 AM
    #8
    ItalynStylion

    ItalynStylion Sounds Gooooood

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    If you're headlights don't dim when your bass hits you probably dont need it. I wouldn't worry about it if you don't have a problem already.
     
  9. Dec 7, 2009 at 6:55 AM
    #9
    rutherk1

    rutherk1 ElPhantasmo&TheChickenRunBlastarama

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    Why not just install an inline capacitor? If its only happening with the "bass hits" this will solve the problem with you asking too much from your OEM electrical system.
     
  10. Dec 7, 2009 at 7:18 AM
    #10
    atsaubrey

    atsaubrey Dealer/Sales Rep for Sundown Audio.

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    I run three amps in my truck and have had zero issues. typically I do the Big 3 but havent seen a reason to do it on the truck.
     
  11. Dec 7, 2009 at 12:29 PM
    #11
    DaytonLax14

    DaytonLax14 Well-Known Member

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    capacitors are one of the most useless things ever.


    I did the big 3 on my old car and a couple of my friend's rides. This is the tutorial i followed the first time:

    http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp~TID~73496~PN~1
     
  12. Dec 7, 2009 at 12:33 PM
    #12
    rutherk1

    rutherk1 ElPhantasmo&TheChickenRunBlastarama

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    They are not useless at all. Any piece of electronics made today has capacitors for the same reason.
     
  13. Dec 7, 2009 at 12:37 PM
    #13
    DaytonLax14

    DaytonLax14 Well-Known Member

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    capacitors for car audio are useless.
     
    ManBeast and Homar2394 like this.
  14. Dec 7, 2009 at 12:39 PM
    #14
    rutherk1

    rutherk1 ElPhantasmo&TheChickenRunBlastarama

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    Do you even know why people use them? You seem pretty sure but offer little reason to support your argument.
     
  15. Dec 7, 2009 at 12:43 PM
    #15
    DaytonLax14

    DaytonLax14 Well-Known Member

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    Ask any person that knows a decent amount about car audio if they would reccomend spending the money on a capacitor and probably 9 out of 10 would say they're useless. The only thing they're good for is if you want a voltmeter to watch the numbers go down from 14.4-10. If you're concerned about your electrical, just do the big 3.
     
  16. Dec 7, 2009 at 12:48 PM
    #16
    rutherk1

    rutherk1 ElPhantasmo&TheChickenRunBlastarama

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    That is still no reason to suspect them as being useless.

    Do you know why "doing the big 3" can alleviate your problem?

    HINT: It is the same reason that adding the correct capacitor will also help alleviate the problem.
     
  17. Dec 7, 2009 at 12:51 PM
    #17
    jspadaro

    jspadaro Well-Known Member

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    Capacitors are not useless, but they aren't necessarily ideal. They will store charge so that when you have a sudden surge in power draw (as when the bass hits), they can momentarily accomodate. They will not provide increased current for sustained periods of time, so they're more of a stopgap if your electrical system is intermittently overwhelmed, as in when the bass line thumps; for sustained high draw, you need to upgrade - caps need to recharge.

    However, "any piece of electronics" has capacitors because they're very useful in circuits - they are NOT used for the reason they're used in car audio. (Read up on what an RC circuit is for a basic introduction) An exception to this is the flash circuit in a camera.

    All that being said, the 1+ farad capacitors in car audio scare the _crap_ out of me. If you charge one up and bridge it with _you_ by accident, OUCH!

    For reference, typical capacitance in something you see on a circuit board is in microfarads!
     
  18. Dec 7, 2009 at 12:51 PM
    #18
    DaytonLax14

    DaytonLax14 Well-Known Member

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    caps aren't worth the money. When you hit a hard bass beat and draw power from the cap now the alternator is working to replenish the cap and power your system at the same time....it isnt nearly as effective as some companies will have you believe

    the solution is the big 3 and you're done.
     
  19. Dec 7, 2009 at 12:59 PM
    #19
    jspadaro

    jspadaro Well-Known Member

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    ... Not worth the money? If, as a previous poster mentioned, you just need to cover an intermittent increase in power draw, a $20 cap is wayyyy cheaper (and can work just fine) vs a new alternator.

    What are you talking about?
     
  20. Dec 7, 2009 at 1:05 PM
    #20
    DaytonLax14

    DaytonLax14 Well-Known Member

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    :facepalm:okay work at a car audio shop that does installs for 2 years and then bring me your argument. I'm just trying to help you guys out.
     

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