$30 to get another 1.5 MPG

[Kruilty]

Don't know if anyone else here has tried this. I'm new here. But wanted to get feed back on it. I know of others that have done this and gotten the same results.

The "BIG THREE" wiring change under the hood. Big Audiophiles running mobile amps etc use this change to beef up power delivery. This is where it gets interesting.....I perform the BIG THREE by not removing but adding in parallel additional 6 gauge battery cables to the stock small cables running from:

1. The (-) battery to fender ground.
2. The Battery (+) to fuse box feed.
3. Right front cylinder head engine (available threaded bolt) to left shock tower bolt(ie frame connection to engine block)
4. added cable from stock alternator (+) output to Battery (+) post following stock cable.
5. I also beefed up the stock (-) ground run straight run down form the (-) battery post to the frame behind the front left tire at frame.

Ok, so I made 5 changes but effectively still falls under the Big Three change rules to follow. You can google Big Three wiring change and see those basic rules to follow or implement.

All cables simply doubled up providing an effective 3 to 4 gauge connections.

Now, not a bit of head light flicker, voltage maintained 14.2v charging voltage at all times.

But here's what else has occurred and what I wanted to share with you.

1. Slightly brighter headlights.

2. Engine starts are far quicker...no lag in starter (Same stock battery BTW) It's more of a snap start vs the ruh..ruh..start. Starter has better power feed even though I did not increase the starter cable feed size.

3. Here's the kicker...I am seeing 1.5 MPG average increase in fuel economy!! I actually had a tank on a long mostly freeway trip to Monterey a couple weeks back get me 18.2 MPG! Otherwise very same drive to work and back. This has to be due to increased power delivery to the ignition system and a stronger spark through those independent coils.

4. Also, another plus is the adding of more distance needed to use the remote starter. No need to be so close in using one. Maybe it was a difference in weather, obstacles or nothing. I'm still testing.

This additional big three wiring done by yourself would cost you about $30.00 tops in cable and dual bolt lug battery lead clamps all available at your local auto store.

[yoyoyoda]

Glad to know that doing the big three will save me some fuel:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...rth-28378.html

I noticed the slightly brighter headlights too, whiter and brighter at low beam and high beam.

For now though I'm just using the existing wiring and just cleaned up the connectors going to the chassis and to the starter motor. In future I will be replacing all of the cables though as you did as I believe it will improve things even further.

And the charging of the starter battery will be more efficient too, less power is then wasted in the resistance of the wire.

Good job, and welcome to the forum

[user removed]

In 99% of the cases I have observed (in 60k hoursworking on cars), the resistance is not in the wires, but in the connections. Set your volt meter to voltage close to your batteries capacity. Touch the various suspected connections with the probes. When you find any voltage reading, then you have found the source of the resistance. Clean that connection and recheck your work with the volt meter.

I cleaned the ground connection on my Fiesta after reading about problems and that single connection being the source of many low voltage issues causing numerous problems among which is transmission shift quality. The ground connection is bolted to the left strut tower and there is only one ground connection from battery to everything else.

Ground issues typically cause mulitple problems when many systems are dependent on the same ground wire. Low voltage drives computer controlled systems crazy.

Separate frame trucks need a good ground from battery to engine, frame, and chassis so ground issues are more prevalent on this type of vehicle construction (separate frame and body).

regards
Mech

[deejaaa]

so i have NO excuse to re-do my wiring! i have a lot of heavier gauge wire sitting on the wall of the shop i've collected over the years. and a lot of copper crimp lugs. need to get to work. sometimes it's all in the small details.

[zjrog]

While doing lighting upgrades on my Neon, relay harness' with heavier gauge wiring from the battery, to the relay, to the lights, and checking all grounds along the way, that is a great way to improve lighting. I ran a bunch of extra grounds on our Ranger project a couple years back as well. Many in the Neon community don't see the reasoning for a Big Three grounding project, but that is the next electric project for my Neon.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by deejaaa

so i have NO excuse to re-do my wiring! i have a lot of heavier gauge wire sitting on the wall of the shop i've collected over the years. and a lot of copper crimp lugs. need to get to work. sometimes it's all in the small details.

It sounds like I do not have any excuse for not cleaning my dirt terminals--tomorrow!

I still have my statistics worksheet and quiz to do tonight.

[ksa8907]

Sounds like I need to buy a quality voltmeter and start measuring.

[chefdave]

Hi have started big test on my motor vehicle only put in 2 out of three so far and it has made a huge difference. also been told that electrical degrades over time and increases resitantance. if any one knows about electric cable let us know.

[Mista Bone]

Cleaning up the grounds is simple yet free maintenance that needs done to keep car in tip top shape.

Before maintenance free batteries you would clean the connections at the battery 1-2 times a year.

Old Mech. likely has cleaned a bunch of terminals, just as have I.

[sarguy01]

I really need to go clean mine. The Metro was very sensitive to having corroded grounds. I added more on the Metro and it did help, even after I cleaned the factory grounds.

The Civic has an uninsulated ground going from the chassis to the engine. It is greenish from corrosion. I might just make a new one since I am worried that the corrosion is also inside the terminals.