Quote Originally Posted by TSiFTW
I know what big 3 is. It all goes hand in hand though. If the system is working correctly in the first place then even with a 50-60 amp draw from an aftermarket stereo system the big 3 alone will do ALMOST nothing. Notice I didn't say it will do nothing. What it will do is allow more current which in turn will just put more strain on a stock battery and alternator. You WILL eventually wear out a stock alternator. A deep cycle battery will hold a charge better therefore put less strain on the alternator when the stereo system is drawing more than the alternator can put out.
I am with you. A battery upgrade comes before a wire upgrade. The deep cycle battery creates a less strain on the alternator without changing any wires. If you do a wire upgrade on a stock system, it is not going to do anything because the stock wiring is good for the stock system. Even in my Accord I had dimming lights with a 1200rms amp. I simply installed a Optima Yellow top battery and fixed the problem. So here is how should go...

1) Battery Upgrade - Reduces stress from alternator. Adding a battery does not increase the voltage or power. So you wouldn't need to upgrade the wiring because NOTHING EXTRA IS GOING THROUGH THE WIRES. Think of it being more efficient. It is not putting out anything extra. It just reduces the strain on the alternator which will help the alternator move power to other places.

2) Big 3 - This will not do much for the upgraded battery, but will be needed to upgrade your alternator.

3) High Output Alternator - The reason you need to upgrade the wiring prior to the alternator is because the smaller wires can prevent too much of a change in output from the alternator. So upgrading it by itself might not do much. So you ready the new alternator by upgrading the wires BECAUSE IT WILL BE PUTTING OUT MORE POWER.