BIG 3 help

[strussy]

ok guys do i NEED to run a fuse between the wire from my batt. to alt. or can i run a straight wire?

 

[carcrz]

run a fuse bro to be safe, the vertical fuse you see is the one running from the alt. to the batt.

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[andrewmoore13]

anyone have some pics of where they did the wiring for the big 3 on a denali?

carcrz... that is slightly being asked in your direction lol

 

[strussy]

thanks carcrz been in the auto industry for 20 years and never done a big 3 i stick with autobody also what size fuse should i use?

 

[sparg93]

are you running your big three upgrade in ADDITION to your current wires, or replacing the wires completely? what size wire are you going with?

 

[strussy]

@ sparg93 i'm adding wire prob. 0 or 2gauge just wondering what size fuse i should use maybe 100 0r 150amp

 

[sparg93]

I don't know about the NBS, but on my OBS the wire length from the alternator to my battery is about three feet....if yours is similiar, there is really no reason for a fuse when adding 0g/2g to a vehicle with a stock alternator.

As an example, I have a HD Chevy alternator @ 140amps. 0 gauge can easily handle 300amps, no need for me to have a fuse. Also, Chevy uses 4 gauge w/o a fuse (on my OBS), and i added 0gauage...extreme overkill for me b/c I retained the stock alternator.

If added a really big time 250+ amp alternator, then I would have definitely fused my setup just for piece of mind.

However, if you do want to fuse it...I would recommend buying a fuse that is lower then the max amp rating of your wire. So if you wire is rated at 300amp, buy a fuse around 250 or 275.

Purrely to be illustrative...if you want to fuse your new big wire and you are keeping the original wires, then you should splice into your existing power wire and add a fuse as well.

I don't know your NBS setup, but unless you plan on upgrading to some really heavy duty alternator setups, there is really no reason to fuse 0g. But then again, unless you plan on upgrading to really heavy duty alternators, there is no reason for 0g either

I was in your shoes about a year ago, but once I started working with 0g and how expensive the terminals are and the PITA it is to crimp those huge wires...i truly wished I only added 4gauge to my existing setup.

I hope that helps!! If you have any more questions or want me to walk you through it, send me a PM and I'd be happy to get on the phone with you.

Or, just reply here and I'll add any insight i have to the forum.

 

[SunlitComet]

Use a fuse equivalent to the output or slightly below its output of the alternator to help protect it from burning out.

 

[sparg93]

Use a fuse equivalent to the output or slightly below its output of the alternator to help protect it from burning out.

to keep the "alternator" from burning out?

 

[OmarR]

I don't know about the NBS, but on my OBS the wire length from the alternator to my battery is about three feet....if yours is similiar, there is really no reason for a fuse when adding 0g/2g to a vehicle with a stock alternator.

I would add a fuse for safety in case of a front end collision. It's true that an accident that severe may total out the vehicle, but why risk a fire and a blame game from an insurance company that could affect the total payout?

 

[sparg93]

I would add a fuse for safety in case of a front end collision. It's true that an accident that severe may total out the vehicle, but why risk a fire and a blame game from an insurance company that could affect the total payout?

With the fire (not disagreeing, i'm interested), how could a fuse between the alternator wire and the battery stop a potential hazard?

Also, Chevy does not fuse the OEM wire, so how could you foresee an issue?

Again, i am interested, not disagreeing

 

[strussy]

Thanks guys for all the info very helpful. Think I'm gonna go with 4gauge for now till I get my new 250 amp alternator.

 

[OmarR]

With the fire (not disagreeing, i'm interested), how could a fuse between the alternator wire and the battery stop a potential hazard?

Also, Chevy does not fuse the OEM wire, so how could you foresee an issue?

Again, i am interested, not disagreeing

Should the wire get crushed straight to ground, the fuse would blow. Without a fuse, you would a really thick wire going straight to ground.

And GM does fuse the wire in the form of a fusible link. The fusible link will blow just like a fuse.

 

[SunlitComet]

Should the wire get crushed straight to ground, the fuse would blow. Without a fuse, you would a really thick wire going straight to ground.

And GM does fuse the wire in the form of a fusible link. The fusible link will blow just like a fuse.

Precisely. It is more safety and preventive measure of increase repair costs.

Of all the places to have a failure of imagination this site should never be one of them.