STLe320

Have any of you guys ever heard of " The Big 3?" Well if not, it is when you replace the positive battery wire to the alternator, the negative battery wire to the ground, and the chassis to the engine block with a bigger gauge wire (4, 2, 0/1 awg) Does anyone have any info on doing this to mercedes'...or even a 94 e320?

lkchris

It might be American cars that skimp on component specifications but probably not Mercedes.

Some people "believe"--and that's the word--speakers work better with "monster" cable, too.

jbondox

Big 3 is for real, but it depends on what realistic installation is going on, if your dropping a 4 channel amp in a new Benz, I wouldn't waste the time, unless it is for show... your older Benz, i would do it, just because of the age, and if you are doing something that is requiring more than 100 amps of draw at peak

rob13572468

agreed... all the newer mercedes have 4GA minimum wiring for power including the alternator return. you should be ok up to 600 watts with the existing wiring. you will want to check the 94 as im not sure what gauge is used in the older models. the big 3 is used alot in foreign cars which used to have notoriously undersized wiring. hondas were a good example, having 8 GA for the alternator and (even worse) 10GA for the block-chassis.

jbondox

This is total BS!!!

The Honda's had 16 gauge for the alternator

Plus another nice feature with todays vehicles is that the battery is located in the trunk, and cuts down on many issues.

STLe320

yeah, i have a 1600 watt class d amp right now (hifonics bxi1606d) and i plan to add a 400 watt 4 channel amp when the time is right. I'm just worried about my head lights dimming and going into the lower volts when the bass line hits. I also have a capacitor, but i'm not sure if it will be enough to help the system out

Moviela

How can you send 1600 watts through a voice coil that is made of about 18 inches of # 36 wire? I bet that rating is from the same poeple who Email me details about taking their capsules that will give me a "twelve inch personality."

I doubt you could remain in the car with just 10 watts (rms) to each speaker, it would be too loud.

Skylaw

Why?

Why?

Your car is telling you something.

Moviela is right. Your amp is putting out far more heat than music, just as the advertising in the wattage race does. 10 watts of clean power would be quite loud.

And you could see where you were going at night.

jbondox

OK my view point from knowing a few things about audio... Hifonics is a joke, they are an offshore company, meaning like everyone else; they are made in China. have over inflated ratings, and are just pure junk that are trying to capitalize on their name from the early 90's when they were known to have quality gear.

I hear it all the time, dude, 1600 watts.... I just want to smack them with the amp and state ...dude you are a moron...

Now the comment about 10 watts, it all depends on the efficiency and power handling of the speaker ... I had a Conrad Johnson tube amp 25 watts and wouldn't get overly loud...

i don't want to open a can of worms about stating the differences of the amps, speakers... freaking genetics of the listener... I just wanted to say... dude where's my car?

Down South

You are funny as HELL.....

Skylaw

Only the "12 inch personality" part.

ldangeli

Any amp that costs 249 is no where near pushing 400 watts a channel. Maybe 400w total. 0 Ga wire, dry cell, stinger altenator or equivalent and a cap.

jbondox

come on, you are a party pooper.... you can't tell someone that there 1000 watt advertised amplifier from China with a 20 amp fuse in the side is only making 200 watts I know my thump amp which measures 6" square and 1/2" thick is under rated at 10K watts according to the guy at the flea market...

ldangeli

Oh, well then I take it back. I DOES push 10 watts... I mean 1000 watts.. Want a true 1000K or more amp, you'll pay for it, but here just a few..

Zapco
RAC
Audison
JL
Alpine