Introduction
It’s not a new concept but it is one that has only really caught steam as a standard upgrade in the car audio industry within the last decade or two. There is a bit of controversy surrounding the benefits and practicality of this upgrade and how it fares against other methods of achieving the same goal. We’ll start this section off with a few common questions surrounding the Big 3 Upgrade.
What is the Big 3 Upgrade?
Most factory charging systems can only take 500-1000 watts of additional power without seeing much fluctuation in voltage. The Big 3 gains it’s name from the 3 main power wires that connect the alternator, the engine block and the chassis, to the battery. To upgrade most charging systems to avoid voltage drops it is highly recommended to use 0 gauge 100% oxygen free copper power wire in order to have proper conductive surface area to move more electrons with less resistance. Typically adding the Big 3 Upgrade will prevent light dim, voltage drops, and will help boost the charging system to or near 14.4 volts.
What are the main benefits?
The benefits that can be expected from performing this upgrade is increased resting voltage (13.8-14.6V), less voltage drop (less light dim) and an increase in the efficiency of the vehicle’s electronic components. The Big 3 Upgrade prevents the need for any additional external amplifier power capacitors, which is typically just a bandage on a permanent situation. With the Big 3 Upgrade we essentially perform surgery on the factory electrical system insuring previous issues are less likely to occur in the future.
Is the Big 3 Upgrade Expensive?
The Big 3 Upgrade typically varies in price mostly due to the differences in length needed in each vehicle. The best way to calculate the expense of this upgrade is measuring the path of all 3 wires, calculating the per foot cost of 0 gauge OFC wire and inquiring what the labor charge would be for your specific application.