Submerge
05-31-2004, 10:14 PM
Greetings,
After considering all the posts on these ground wires and their usefulness, I did some testing and a little thinking that now makes me believe they are not effective and not necessary.
I measured potential voltage differences between metal items in the engine compartment and the neg of the battery. I did this with AC blower on max, with headlights on high, and with sound system booming.
The voltage differences measured ranged from approx 30 millivolts to 60 millivolts depending on what was running. This means that effectively some electrically powered loads can be receiving less than alternator output voltage by less 30-60mv only. That equates to less than a 0.5% drop for these loads. Needless to say, this is miniscule and will have no effect on any of the loads (that we can see or measure).
So, with the voltmeter attached, I hooked up some heavy cables to the points used in the ground kits. Guess what? The voltages went down by a few millivolts only! In other words, there was not real efffect.
I cannot see how engine performance can be even remotely effected by this tiny voltage difference. I know there are dyno results out there. But hey, they want your money!!
For me, I'll save my money. You all can take it for what it's worth. But the science does not support any improvement in anything. Now if there is a real loss of ground somewhere, this parallel ground path can help. But that's unlikely given all the body panels are welded providing excellent contiunuity thoughout (even better than those big ground wires!).
Your mileage may vary, as they say. One thing I can say for them is they look cool. Since they don't work anyway, might as well get the cheapest set out there.
Trying to help you save a few bucks,
Dave
After considering all the posts on these ground wires and their usefulness, I did some testing and a little thinking that now makes me believe they are not effective and not necessary.
I measured potential voltage differences between metal items in the engine compartment and the neg of the battery. I did this with AC blower on max, with headlights on high, and with sound system booming.
The voltage differences measured ranged from approx 30 millivolts to 60 millivolts depending on what was running. This means that effectively some electrically powered loads can be receiving less than alternator output voltage by less 30-60mv only. That equates to less than a 0.5% drop for these loads. Needless to say, this is miniscule and will have no effect on any of the loads (that we can see or measure).
So, with the voltmeter attached, I hooked up some heavy cables to the points used in the ground kits. Guess what? The voltages went down by a few millivolts only! In other words, there was not real efffect.
I cannot see how engine performance can be even remotely effected by this tiny voltage difference. I know there are dyno results out there. But hey, they want your money!!
For me, I'll save my money. You all can take it for what it's worth. But the science does not support any improvement in anything. Now if there is a real loss of ground somewhere, this parallel ground path can help. But that's unlikely given all the body panels are welded providing excellent contiunuity thoughout (even better than those big ground wires!).
Your mileage may vary, as they say. One thing I can say for them is they look cool. Since they don't work anyway, might as well get the cheapest set out there.
Trying to help you save a few bucks,
Dave