What size power wire?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 93
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From: CT/AL
What size power wire? Hello All-
Didn't find anything too helpful. I'm about to start my stereo install and want to make sure I do the wiring right.
I only have 2 amps:
1) 2x150w RMS going to the front components (2x300max)
2) 2x100w RMS going to my DVC sub (400 w max)
I anticipate running the rear seat speakers off the headunit just for midbass fill. I MAY power them down the road with an amp, but not anytime soon.
What size power cable should I run? Should I run a common ground as well, or ground the amps individually in the rear? Thanks for your help
Didn't find anything too helpful. I'm about to start my stereo install and want to make sure I do the wiring right.
I only have 2 amps:
1) 2x150w RMS going to the front components (2x300max)
2) 2x100w RMS going to my DVC sub (400 w max)
I anticipate running the rear seat speakers off the headunit just for midbass fill. I MAY power them down the road with an amp, but not anytime soon.
What size power cable should I run? Should I run a common ground as well, or ground the amps individually in the rear? Thanks for your help
Originally Posted by Dan Brown
Thanks for your help, fellas.
What would you consider the limit for 4 gauge power in our car? It seems like you'd need a ton a power to require 0 gauge
What would you consider the limit for 4 gauge power in our car? It seems like you'd need a ton a power to require 0 gauge
Limit for 4 AWG really depends on the length. The shorter the length, the more it can handle. The chart is pretty helpful when it comes to determining when you should move to a bigger size.
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I ran 4Ga off battery to inline fuse, then back to rear of car, into a fused distribution block, then 8Ga power wire to each amp.
Used 8Ga for Ground on each amp.
Just make sure you run the power wires for the amps up one side of the car, and the signal RCA Cables from HU to amps up the other side of the car, so you do not impart any 'noise' into your signal cables from power wires.
-Jay-
Used 8Ga for Ground on each amp.
Just make sure you run the power wires for the amps up one side of the car, and the signal RCA Cables from HU to amps up the other side of the car, so you do not impart any 'noise' into your signal cables from power wires.
-Jay-
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From: Showing Italians the power of LS1
Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
what kind of amps are you using?
Ive got a few "50" watt amps that are 1/4 ohm stable
Ive got a few "50" watt amps that are 1/4 ohm stable
Originally Posted by Dan Brown
Thanks for your help, fellas.
What would you consider the limit for 4 gauge power in our car? It seems like you'd need a ton a power to require 0 gauge
What would you consider the limit for 4 gauge power in our car? It seems like you'd need a ton a power to require 0 gauge
Last edited by Snootch; Jan 16, 2007 at 07:41 AM.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: CT/AL
Thanks to all who have replied-
So what I'm taking away from this is that I should try to not have more than 0.5V drop going back to my system? I will look into the amps of the system and use that great spreadsheet.
Follow on question- is there a similar chart for speaker wire? I'm looking to purchase a spool of wire for this install, but I want to make sure I get the right size (16, 14, 12, etc). Thanks again, you guys have been very helpful!
So what I'm taking away from this is that I should try to not have more than 0.5V drop going back to my system? I will look into the amps of the system and use that great spreadsheet.
Follow on question- is there a similar chart for speaker wire? I'm looking to purchase a spool of wire for this install, but I want to make sure I get the right size (16, 14, 12, etc). Thanks again, you guys have been very helpful!
Just say to hell with it and do 0ga front to rear. It opens up possibilities such as adding more amps or you could relocate your battery to the rear without re-doing the wiring. Either way, voltage loss will be minimal. I don't even mess with anything smaller anymore. It's not that expensive either. Just do it once and your set.
If you care about looks, then it's bitch'n in that regard as well.
If you care about looks, then it's bitch'n in that regard as well.
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From: Showing Italians the power of LS1
Originally Posted by Dan Brown
Thanks to all who have replied-
So what I'm taking away from this is that I should try to not have more than 0.5V drop going back to my system? I will look into the amps of the system and use that great spreadsheet.
Follow on question- is there a similar chart for speaker wire? I'm looking to purchase a spool of wire for this install, but I want to make sure I get the right size (16, 14, 12, etc). Thanks again, you guys have been very helpful!
So what I'm taking away from this is that I should try to not have more than 0.5V drop going back to my system? I will look into the amps of the system and use that great spreadsheet.
Follow on question- is there a similar chart for speaker wire? I'm looking to purchase a spool of wire for this install, but I want to make sure I get the right size (16, 14, 12, etc). Thanks again, you guys have been very helpful!
There is not a similar chart for speaker wire because there is not as much current draw through the speaker outputs from the amp. Just use 16ga for all your mids/highs, and 14 or 12ga for your subs if you are running lots of power to them. Just don't use tiny wire for long runs (ex. 18-20ga runs from the amps in the back to speakers in the front.)
A 1 volt drop can be huge to the amp. Possibly reducing power by 30% or more. There's a lot of factors, but generally the less resistance the less voltage drop and more power to the speakers.
