Questions about big 3 and adding a cap

[melonhead]

I've got some questions about doing the big 3 upgrade and adding a cap.

My headlights are dimming like a mofo at night and I need to fix it ASAP. I know you guys will say do the big 3 but I'm not sure I can really get it done right now unless I have a shop do it or find someone who can do it. I know you guys don't like caps but I'm just looking for a short term solution right now.

I've got a 2003 Civic with stock battery and stock alternator. I'm using this kit for my wiring http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/pr...S&p_status= I'm running the 2 amps in my sig so total I'm running a little over 1k watts right now.

My buddy does all my installation for me and he can't do the big 3 but he thinks he can add the cap for me. Will adding a cap help with the lights? If so, what size do I need?

Again, I'm just looking for a short term fix right now.

[davewms9605]

If your buddy does all your installs, then he should be experienced enough to do a basic big "3". Its very simple to do. Use the search button on this site and it explains in high detail on how to do it. Its a piece of cake!! That will help ALOT on on your dimming and you will waste your time on caps!! IMO!

[BulletInjection]

Yeah it is really simple and even easier than installing a cap

[aajay602]

If your buddy does all your installs, then he should be experienced enough to do a basic big "3". Its very simple to do. Use the search button on this site and it explains in high detail on how to do it. Its a piece of cake!! That will help ALOT on on your dimming and you will waste your time on caps!! IMO!

quick question bout the big 3. do you replace the factory battery cables with the new cables or do you just run them the same way like the factory cables are?

[n8ball2013]

you add to the existing. If your buddy can't do the big three properly hwo does he make any connections for power and ground fuck that.

[Marlo Stanfield]

I agree with the others who posted so far... If the guys who is doing all your installs doesn't have the ability to do a big 3 upgrade, then I wouldn't allow him to touch anything else on your vehicle.

Also use the money u were gonna spend on a cap and buy a small batt like a Kinetik 800 or similar for the time being.

[melonhead]

I guess I shouldn't say he can't do it, but more like he doesn't want to do it. We both work a lot of hours and have small children and rarely have the same time off together to hook up so he can work on it.

I'm willing to take it to a shop to do but not sure what kind of price I'm looking at. I know they are going to overcharge to begin with but is it worth paying a shop vs. just adding a cap?

Marlo, are you saying to replace the battery or add a 2nd battery? Will upgrading stop the lights from dimming? If a bigger and better battery will work then I'll just do that instead.

[Red-navi-916]

i got a picture of how to do the big 3 on a civic... its easy bro if i can do it you can too

[Torres]

do not install a cap. that is not any sort of solution to dimming lights. i'd add a second battery as well. upgrade and add because you dont want a dry cell battery used with a wet cell battery at the same time. extra batts will help maintain voltage which will help prevent lights dimming.

[Marlo Stanfield]

I guess I shouldn't say he can't do it, but more like he doesn't want to do it. We both work a lot of hours and have small children and rarely have the same time off together to hook up so he can work on it.

I'm willing to take it to a shop to do but not sure what kind of price I'm looking at. I know they are going to overcharge to begin with but is it worth paying a shop vs. just adding a cap?

Marlo, are you saying to replace the battery or add a 2nd battery? Will upgrading stop the lights from dimming? If a bigger and better battery will work then I'll just do that instead.

Doing the big 3 doesn't take up much time if u know what you're doing/looking for, and as long as everything is fairly accessable. Honestly you could easily do it yourself by reading through as many tutorials and walkthroughs as you can. Eventually gonna want to learn some day, especially if u wanna keep going into bigger builds for the future. Truthfully any mechanic could also do the big 3, as long as u had the proper wiring and accessories to do so(a couple lugs + 3-5ft of 1/0ga wire).

Do not mix wet cell + dry cell batteries together, so your first thing would be to upgrade the battery underhood with the biggest that will fit and you can afford. Compare batt companies, ratings, and price to determine which route you're gonna take in that department. Civic's charging systems are notoriously weak but by doing the big 3 and getting a decent size under hood batt you should see a bit of a difference with dimming. It may not be 100% solved but it will be a good amount better with handling the amperage.