Big 3

[Don Ganso 13]

Here is the tech/how-to link that on here that I will refer to later:

Big 3 How-to

I did the big 3 today in my car, (see sig for equipment/etc.), and I noticed something odd, (to me). A week or two before I actually did the upgrade, I had checked my voltage with a DMM for shiggles up front and on the amp. 12.5. Today after the upgrade, the voltage was 14.4ish, (moved around a little; no more than a tenth of a volt), front and back on amp. Both readings were taken with the car idling. This is good right? This was supposed to happen?

Another question; on the link it says to fuse the alternator to battery positive wire with a fuse the same size as the factory fuse. I have no idea what the factory fuse size is, (it seems to be an impossible spec to find), so I got a 30amp fuse with a holder. Here's the catch: the wire on the fuse holder is 12 gauge. Basically it is about three inches of wire, fuse holder, another three inches. Connect that to the battery on one end and 1/0 gauge on the other and you have the idea; is this o.k? I think because the wire is so short it can carry enough current or whatever, I don't know... Any ideas? Am I all good here?

Also, after the big 3, I still have dimming. I never have had dimming headlights, but I have had one green LED around the volume nob on my receiver flash with the bass forever, but I know it is not some weird feature... What's up with this?

[jcarter1885 995]

I would do it correctly and up the fuse rating, what is your alternator rating? I would also change that wire from 1/0 Awg that is 12 gauge or I would simply make both wires either 4 gauge or 1/0AWG.

[Don Ganso 13]

I would do what you it correctly and up the fuse rating, what is your alternator rating? I would also change that wire from 1/0 Awg that is 12 gauge or I would simply make both wires either 4 gauge or 1/0AWG.

I don't understand what you are saying... please repost. Are you saying you would use a larger fuse and get an inline fuse holder so that I would not have to use the 12 gauge wire that is part of the fuse holder I have currently?

[jcarter1885 995]

I would do it correctly and up the fuse rating, what is your alternator rating? I would also change that wire from 1/0 Awg that is 12 gauge or I would simply make both wires either 4 gauge or 1/0AWG.

I don't understand what you are saying... please repost. Are you saying you would use a larger fuse and get an inline fuse holder so that I would not have to use the 12 gauge wire that is part of the fuse holder I have currently?

Yeah that is what im saying, my bad I fixed my first post.

[Don Ganso 13]

Yeah, I'm going to try to work with a fuse holder that came with my old wiring kit and a 60A fuse that's in it, but I'll see.

Question: are in-line fuse holders wire-gauge specific? On the knukonceptz site it just asks for the fuse rating, not the wire gauge.

[jcarter1885 995]

Yeah, I'm going to try to work with a fuse holder that came with my old wiring kit and a 60A fuse that's in it, but I'll see.

Question: are in-line fuse holders wire-gauge specific? On the knukonceptz site it just asks for the fuse rating, not the wire gauge.

Yeah the are wire gauge specific, what ever fits is what you use (not to sound like an ass). They are like amp terminals, just cause it has a 1/0 awg opening doesnt mean you have to put 1/0 awg wire in it.

[Kanaworm$ 292]

Definitely do yourself a favor and upgrade that 12 gauge to at least 4 gauge minimum.

[Don Ganso 13]

Yeah, I'm going to try to work with a fuse holder that came with my old wiring kit and a 60A fuse that's in it, but I'll see.

Question: are in-line fuse holders wire-gauge specific? On the knukonceptz site it just asks for the fuse rating, not the wire gauge.

Yeah the are wire gauge specific, what ever fits is what you use (not to sound like an ass). They are like amp terminals, just cause it has a 1/0 awg opening doesnt mean you have to put 1/0 awg wire in it.

I have a scosche efx 60A fuse holder that came on the 8 awg power wire from the wiring kit for my old setup. It has a rubber grommet covering the opening where the wire attaches to the fuse holder. Do you think that I might take off the grommet and trim the 1/0 a little so it fit?

[jcarter1885 995]

First you need to find your alternator's rating, then go from there. Whatever its rating is then through a fuse on it that is like 5-10% more amps then the alternator and that is the fuse you need, I would just go get a regular ANL fuse holder that can hold a 1/0AWG wire and go from there. But you can try the one you have, I would just upgrade to another fuse holder (if it was me).

[Don Ganso 13]

Alright, thank you very much.

[Don Ganso 13]

First you need to find your alternator's rating, then go from there. Whatever its rating is then through a fuse on it that is like 5-10% more amps then the alternator and that is the fuse you need, I would just go get a regular ANL fuse holder that can hold a 1/0AWG wire and go from there. But you can try the one you have, I would just upgrade to another fuse holder (if it was me).

Wait, do you mean 5-10% less amps? If I use a 100 amp fuse on an 85 amp alt, wouldn't that be the same as running a straight wire? The alt would never put out enough power to blow the fuse, so the fuse would be worthless...

[jcarter1885 995]

What is the size of the fuse on the factory wiring, use that fuse amp rating.

[Don Ganso 13]

What is the size of the fuse on the factory wiring, use that fuse amp rating.

Seems to be an impossible spec to find, and I couldn't see any inline fuses on the original wire. I'll check again, but is there some math I can do? Is it 5-10% less?

[jcarter1885 995]

What is the size of the fuse on the factory wiring, use that fuse amp rating.

Seems to be an impossible spec to find, and I couldn't see any inline fuses on the original wire. I'll check again, but is there some math I can do? Is it 5-10% less?

I apologize, actually you fuse to the wire and not your alternator size. You dont have to fuse if you dont want to, it is there to protect the wire in case it shorts or comes loose.

[Don Ganso 13]

What is the size of the fuse on the factory wiring, use that fuse amp rating.

Seems to be an impossible spec to find, and I couldn't see any inline fuses on the original wire. I'll check again, but is there some math I can do? Is it 5-10% less?

I apologize, actually you fuse to the wire and not your alternator size. You dont have to fuse if you dont want to, it is there to protect the wire in case it shorts or comes loose.

I'll try 60A and check the fuse frequently... If it doesn't blow in a week or two I'd say we're good.