Amp Bolt
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 Pushmatic Bulldog ITE Siemens P2020 Twin 20 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT IN 20 20 $19.95 Time Remaining: 26d 14h 54m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 federal pacific 20 amp single pole bolt on breaker $27.00 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 7m Buy It Now for only: $29.70 |
 Pushmatic Bulldog ITE Siemens P1520 Twin 15 20 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT IN 15 20 $24.95 Time Remaining: 26d 14h 56m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 |
 FPE federal pacific breaker 30 amp 3 pole nb330 bolt on $26.00 Time Remaining: 13h 18m Buy It Now for only: $26.00 |
 federal pacific 20 amp bolt on circuit breaker type nb $6.99 Time Remaining: 7d 23h 8m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 |
 FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE Stab Lok 90 Amp Bolt On BREAKER type NB GUARANTEED $199.95 Time Remaining: 15d 17h 8m Buy It Now for only: $199.95 |
 new federal pacific breaker 20 amp 2 pole nb220 bolt on $25.00 Time Remaining: 27d 13h 29m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 FPE federal pacific breaker 20 amp 3 pole nb320 bolt on $21.95 Time Remaining: 13h 18m Buy It Now for only: $21.95 |
 FPE FEDERAL PACIFIC BREAKER 30 AMP 3 POLE NB NB330 BOLT ON $20.00 Time Remaining: 5d 9h 40m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 Cutler Hammer CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON 1 pole 15 amp QBH15 CEB Sylvania Commander $28.52 Time Remaining: 7d 22h 22m Buy It Now for only: $28.52 |
 Federal Pacific 200 amp double pole Bolt In circuit breaker $60.00 Time Remaining: 20d 12h 10m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 FEDERAL PACIFIC gfci gfi BREAKER 20 amp nbgf bolt on $45.00 Time Remaining: 13h 12m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 FPE NB125 MAIN bolt on BREAKER 125 AMP federal pacific $179.00 Time Remaining: 19d 19h 4m Buy It Now for only: $179.00 |
 100 AMP Federal Pacific FPE Bolt On Breaker $39.95 Time Remaining: 17d 18h 42m Buy It Now for only: $39.95 |
 FEDERAL PACIFIC 2B 2 Pole 150 Amp BREAKER 2b150 bolt on $72.00 Time Remaining: 16d 10h 59m Buy It Now for only: $72.00 |
 Zinsco qb2020 Circuit Breaker 20 amp 2 pole challenger qb bolt on $28.99 Time Remaining: 6d 10h 34m Buy It Now for only: $28.99 |
 FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE NB Bolt On 30 Amp 3P Breaker $199.99 Time Remaining: 15d 16h 43m Buy It Now for only: $199.99 |
 GTE Sylvania Zinsco QCB bolt in circuit breakers 1 pole 20 amp 3 pole 100 amp $110.00 Time Remaining: 14d 23h 36m Buy It Now for only: $110.00 |
 70 AMP Federal Pacific FPE Stab Lok 3 Pole Type NA Breaker Bolt On $139.95 Time Remaining: 27d 13h 34m Buy It Now for only: $139.95 |
 new federal pacific breaker 20 amp 2 pole nb220 bolt on $45.00 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 21m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 FEDERAL PACIFIC 150 Amp BREAKER 2 pole 2b150 bolt on $75.00 Time Remaining: 16d 11h 3m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 Cutler Hammer CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON 1 pole 15 amps BQL15 Commander QL QM $13.55 Time Remaining: 18d 31m Buy It Now for only: $13.55 |
 FEDERAL PACIFIC 200 Amp CIRCUIT BREAKER 2 pole 2b200 bolt on grey $75.00 Time Remaining: 26d 13h 45m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 FEDERAL PACIFIC 125 Amp BREAKER 2 pole 2b125 bolt on $47.99 Time Remaining: 13h 5m Buy It Now for only: $47.99 |
 NEW FPE federal pacific breaker 15 amp 2 pole bolt on $39.99 Time Remaining: 13h 5m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 FEDERAL PACIFIC 2B 2 Pole 200 Amp CIRCUIT BREAKER 2b200 bolt on $75.00 Time Remaining: 26d 13h 41m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 FPE federal pacific breaker 15 amp 3 pole nb315 bolt on $39.95 Time Remaining: 13h 12m Buy It Now for only: $39.95 |
 FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE NB Bolt On 30 Amp 3P Breaker $199.99 Time Remaining: 14d 14h 45m Buy It Now for only: $199.99 |
 FEDERAL PACIFIC FPE NB221015 Bolt On 15 Amp 2P Breaker $29.99 Time Remaining: 21d 13h 30m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 FEDERAL PACIFIC 200 Amp BREAKER 2 pole 2b200 bolt on white $85.00 Time Remaining: 16d 11h 1m Buy It Now for only: $85.00 |
 FEDERAL PACIFIC 100 Amp BREAKER 2 pole 2b100 bolt on $45.00 Time Remaining: 22d 11h 52m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 GE 20 amp Bolt on circuit breakers 3 Single pole 1 Double Pole $15.00 Time Remaining: 4d 18h 44m |
 Cutler Hammer SPACE SAVING CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON BQLT 15 panel 15 amps QLT QM $30.83 Time Remaining: 26d 22h 13m Buy It Now for only: $30.83 |
 100 AMP Federal Pacific FPE Bolt On Breaker type NB $49.95 Time Remaining: 15d 12h 25m Buy It Now for only: $49.95 |
 Cutler Hammer CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON 1 pole 20 amp QBH20 CEB Sylvania Commander $28.52 Time Remaining: 9d 19h 10m Buy It Now for only: $28.52 |
 FEDERAL PACIFIC 200 Amp CIRCUIT BREAKER 2 pole 2b200 bolt on chip $75.00 Time Remaining: 11d 7h 31m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 Cutler Hammer CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON 1 pole 20 amps BQL20 Commander QL QM $14.26 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 13m Buy It Now for only: $14.26 |
 new FEDERAL PACIFIC 125 Amp BREAKER 2 pole 2b125 bolt on circuit $95.00 Time Remaining: 19d 20h 42m Buy It Now for only: $95.00 |
 Square D Type QOM2125VH 150 or 200 amp Bolt in Main Breaker $169.00 Time Remaining: 27d 17h 20m Buy It Now for only: $169.00 |
 FEDERAL PACIFIC 150 Amp BREAKER 2 pole 2b150 bolt on black $75.00 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 18m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 Pushmatic Circuit Breaker 50 Amp 2 Pole Main Lighting Bolt On 31250 $39.50 Time Remaining: 10d 18h 20m Buy It Now for only: $39.50 |
 Siemens bolt shunt trip Breaker 20 amp 2 Pole B22000S01 $60.00 Time Remaining: 6d 16h 33m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 Siemens Type BL 1 pole 20 amp circuit breakers bolt in $7.20 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 12m Buy It Now for only: $7.20 |
 FPE NB SP 50 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON NEW $25.00 Time Remaining: 9d 12h 53m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 Cutler Hammer CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON 1 pole 30 amp QBH30 Commander CEB Sylvania $30.83 Time Remaining: 11d 10h 28m Buy It Now for only: $30.83 |
 Siemans BLE120GFI 20amp 120volt S Pole GFI Bolt On Breaker Equip Protection $29.00 Time Remaining: 19d 21h 50m Buy It Now for only: $29.00 |
 Cutler Hammer CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON BQL220 Commander QL PM 2 pole 20 amps $33.64 Time Remaining: 12d 8h 30m Buy It Now for only: $33.64 |
 Cutler Hammer CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON 2 pole 40amp QBH240 CEB Sylvania Commander $65.42 Time Remaining: 17d 11h 49m Buy It Now for only: $65.42 |
 Cutler Hammer CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON BQL230R 30 amp commander QL PM panel 2pole $37.38 Time Remaining: 17d 11h 49m Buy It Now for only: $37.38 |
 Federal Pacific 30 amp 3 pole Bolt In circuit breaker $50.00 Time Remaining: 16d 15h 12m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 Siemens Type BQD 120 1 pole 20 amp circuit breakers bolt in 277VAC $7.80 Time Remaining: 21d 17h 42m Buy It Now for only: $7.80 |
 Siemens Type BL 215 2 pole 15 amp circuit breakers bolt in 120 240VAC $19.80 Time Remaining: 18d 20h 24m Buy It Now for only: $19.80 |
 Cutler Hammer CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON BQL215 Commander QL PM 15 amps 2 poles $33.64 Time Remaining: 16d 13h 10m Buy It Now for only: $33.64 |
 Cutler Hammer CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON 2 pole 20amp QBH220 CEB Sylvania Commander $58.87 Time Remaining: 18d 31m Buy It Now for only: $58.87 |
 Siemens Type BQD 120 1 pole 20 amp circuit breakers bolt in 277VAC $11.40 Time Remaining: 23d 19h 30m Buy It Now for only: $11.40 |
 Cutler Hammer CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON 2 pole 30amp QBH230 CEB Sylvania Commander $65.42 Time Remaining: 17d 11h 49m Buy It Now for only: $65.42 |
 Cutler Hammer CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON 2 pole 15amp QBH215 Commander CEB Sylvania $58.87 Time Remaining: 19d 21h 1m Buy It Now for only: $58.87 |
 SYLVANIA QB15 15AMP 120VAC CIRCUIT BREAKER BOLT ON $25.00 Time Remaining: 21d 12h 48m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 Square D QO222EPD 20amp 240volt Two Pole GFI Bolt On Breaker $145.00 Time Remaining: 19d 21h 40m Buy It Now for only: $145.00 |
 GENERAL ELECTRIC THQB32030 30AMP 3P 240VAC BOLT ON CIRCUIT BREAKER 10000A RATED $38.00 Time Remaining: 6d 20h 7m Buy It Now for only: $38.00 |
Amp Bolt
The Big 3 Car Audio Wiring Upgrade
If you've ever measured your voltage drop when playing music with the volume to the max with your engine running, you'll see that instead of reading 14.4v or 13.8 (depending on car), your voltmeter will read 13v, 12v, or even lower! You can easily tell if you're experiencing these voltage drops by watching your headlights. If they dim while playing your system, you most definitely have voltage drop going on. This voltage drop could potentially cause harm to your amp if it is significant enough. I had a Treo SSX 1500.1 blow because I was letting my voltage drop to about 9-10v, which the amp didn't like very much.
What causes this problem are the stock, small gauge wires used to connect various electrical components. The stock wire is usually 8 gauge, which is sufficient enough for roughly 50 amps. Large amplifiers can pull up and over 200-300amps, so now you see the problem.
When doing this mod, 3 runs of wire will need to be installed. They are:
- Battery positive (+) to alternator - From the positive terminal on your battery to the alternator positive (+) post
- Engine block to chassis ground - From engine block to chasis. This is to strengthen the ground.
- Battery ground (-) to chassis ground - From the negative terminal on your battery to your car's chassis.
I recommend using 1/0 gauge wire. You could use 4 gauge wire if that's all you have laying around, but you might as well use 1/0 the first time so you won't have to go back if you decide to upgrade your system later on down the road. The wire I used was Knu Konceptz 1/0 Kollosus Kable You will also need 1/0 ring terminals to terminate the ends of the wire.
Before you do anything, make sure to be safe. Disconnect the wire from the negative terminal of your battery before you begin. This makes an incomplete circuit and keeps you safe from sustaining electrical injuries.
First, measure a length of wire to go from your battery positive (+) terminal to your alternator. Make sure to leave a little bit of slack, around 6 inches, so you'll be able to position the cable freely. Terminate the ends of the cable with ring terminals, then connect the wire from battery positive (+) terminal to your alternator. There may be a plastic tab on the alternator post. If there is, go ahead and break it off; it's what I had to do. If you don't remove the plastic tab, you won't be able to remove the nut off of the terminal post.
Adding a fuse to go in between the battery positive (+) and the alternator is highly recommended, but not necessary. There is a small chance that the wire will come lose and short out, but it's a chance some people do not want to take. On the contrary, I have had no problems in the 2 years I've had the big 3 installed while running an unfused wire.
The next step is to run a wire from your engine block to your car's chassis. This step may be difficult because you may have a hard time finding a place on the engine block to attach your wire. Look for a non-essential bolt; do not use a bolt that holds fluids back.
From there, you then need to attach the other end of the wire to your chassis ground location. This ground can be anywhere on your car's chassis/frame, but make sure that you have metal-to-metal contact with the terminal and your ground location. A good start is to follow your stock ground wire back to its grounding location. If there is paint on the ground location you have chosen, you must sand it off until it is bare metal to ensure minimal electrical resistance.
Lastly, the final step is to run a wire from your battery's ground (-) terminal to the ground location on the chassis. Measure the wire and be sure to leave a little slack in case you need it. Then terminate the ends with ring terminals and attach one end to the negative terminal and the other to your grounding location on your chassis (as seen above).
Once you have made the new, beefier battery ground, you can cut off, disconnect, do whatever you want to the stock ground wire because it is not needed anymore. When you think you're finished, go ahead and double check all of your connections making sure that they are snug and tight.
That's it! The "Big 3" is now finished. You should notice a difference in voltage when playing your system at max volume. Before I did this upgrade, my voltage was at about 10v under heavy load. After doing the "Big 3" upgrade, my voltage under heavy load was stabilized at about 11v. Quite a large difference for how much you spent on the wire and terminals. That's why the "Big 3" is considered the first electrical upgrade you should do to ensure consistent power to your amplifiers.
Visit http://www.IsYouGeekedUp.com to see the full guide with pictures.
About the Author
is it safe to have the Negative/ground wire from capacitor touch the negative/Ground wire from an amp?
in other words... with the ground (-) wire coming out of the amp... and the (-)ground wire coming from the capacitor, not connected to each other, but rather connected / bolted down to the same location?
Actually this is something I try to accomplish most often as possible. I am a firm believer on having a common ground point. In my experience having just one point of ground for multiple sources eliminates noise. You arent doing anything wrong, in fact this is great!
Cheers
Bolt Amp Second Improvisation