What guage of wire do I use for power amps?
06-27-2010, 06:37 PM
#1
What guage of wire do I use for power amps? I will be installing a power amp into my car( actually 2 of them) What guage of wire do I use when connecting them to the +ve terminal of the battery? (same guage will be used for ground)
Do not recommend monster cables.
Thanks
Do not recommend monster cables.
Thanks
06-27-2010, 08:36 PM
#3
06-28-2010, 09:38 AM
#5
Monster Cable is a brand. Look at the amplifier's power input connectors and match the size. Or read their book. Every six feet of cable (for 12 volt car stereo stuff) move up to the next size.
This certainly will be moved to the correct forum section.
This certainly will be moved to the correct forum section.
07-01-2010, 12:46 PM
#6
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I'll chime in before it's moved.
I'm running a 1500.2 so 3000watt I run about 8' of 4gauge to a fused crossover fuse is (30 could be 40) then from the crossover i use about 5 more feet of 10gauge plenty of juice. but again check to see what your amp is calling for, but many new amps have to have a crossover because anything biger than 10 won't fit into the amp.
I'm running a 1500.2 so 3000watt I run about 8' of 4gauge to a fused crossover fuse is (30 could be 40) then from the crossover i use about 5 more feet of 10gauge plenty of juice. but again check to see what your amp is calling for, but many new amps have to have a crossover because anything biger than 10 won't fit into the amp.
07-02-2010, 04:57 PM
#7
Something to consider also is what class amp? A/B or Class D or both. What brand amps are they as well because some of these companies will slap "1000watts" on any amp and it may only be pushing 200 or so.
A real 4awg wire kit is generally safe for most installs but it really depends (as stated above) on the amps themselves as to what you can get away with.
A real 4awg wire kit is generally safe for most installs but it really depends (as stated above) on the amps themselves as to what you can get away with.
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07-07-2010, 01:41 AM
#9
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On a note of this thread...
does anyone have a resource on when you should use larger gauges based on length, and wattage (both peak and rms? maybe...?)
I've always been curious on what 4gauge can do, or when you should drop it down further?
does anyone have a resource on when you should use larger gauges based on length, and wattage (both peak and rms? maybe...?)
I've always been curious on what 4gauge can do, or when you should drop it down further?
07-07-2010, 08:19 PM
#11
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I typically look at the fuses on the amp to assume the current draw, and then pick the wire accordingly. If it is 60-80amps I use 4 gauge wire. With anything that pulls 50 amps of current or less I use 8 gauge wire.
Last edited by BivDBO; 07-07-2010 at 08:33 PM.
