The Big 3

[Toxis]

Ok, so even though I've been selling car audio for 8 years and been a hobbyist for 13-14 now since I was a kid, I've never heard of "the Big 3" until a few months ago. I've tried doing some research on other mobile sites but it seems that the only reviews I get are from what seems to be amateurs and a few knowledgeable people don't like it. Seeing this is hard to tell without REALLY knowing the people, I want to get some of you more technical nerds around here a shot to talk about it. What's your opinion and experience with the big 3??

[MacLeod]

Eh. More trouble than its worth IMO.

Here is a thread with some good info on it.

http://www.sounddomain.com/ubbthread...e/1#Post312025

[1996blackmax]

It's actually no trouble at all..... having said that... I still need to get the positive wire from my alternator to my battery going :).

Like I said though, no biggie. Especially considering the gains from it.

[pentavolvo]

Im a huge fan of running the big 3, eliminates dimming problems in many instances especially on older vehicles where the stock cables are starting to fail already.

[PoweredByDodge]

more trouble than its worth ?

the easiest thing on god's earth is running power cable. it's also probably the cheapest investment in overall stability that you can make. batteries aren't very expensive either. i've done a lot of research on batteries these last few months (as to why, i'm not at liberty to discuss) and i can tell you that if i were to start from scratch today - i would get two sealed lead acid deep cycle 200 Ah batteries (which would easily provide the 550 cca necessary to turn over the motor in my truck) and call it a day. that would obliterate the reserve of 4 optima yellow tops -- and the yellow tops would cost you about 400 bucks for the set, whereas the SLA's would run you about 130 for the pair... lifespan would be about 5 - 7 years under heavy usage for the SLA's --- 7 - 10 for the optimas. -- all things considered... the SLA's are the way to go.

[exalted512]

My 04 Gmc increased about half a volt overall doing the big 3 and it costs next to nothing. Im a huge fan and should really be the first thing you do when you add more than 50A of current on top of your stock charging system.
-Cody

[MacLeod]

Yeah, but Im lazy. And big. And there is barely enough room in my engine compartment for light to seep thru! I cant imagine trying to run wires all thru there.

I do need to do something one day tho. Trucks are nice with their 140 amp alternators and 850 CCA batteries. Hondas are a different ballgame with their 80 amp alts and 400 CCA batteries.

[1996blackmax]

Should have gotten a Nissan ;).

[bknauss]

more trouble than its worth ?

the easiest thing on god's earth is running power cable.

You obviously haven't tried to access the alternator on my car :)

[PoweredByDodge]

You obviously haven't tried to access the alternator on my car :)

hmm... "Where there's a will, there's a way".:D