posted
I am fairly new at car audio and know that I am using the wrong gauage power wire to my amp.I am currently using 12ga. wire for the power and 14ga. for the ground and remote.The job that I did is really sloppy athough I did make sure that I had a fuse on the power wire before the amp.I am going tomorrow to to get some four gauge welding cable and was wondering if I should be able to notice a big difference after putting in the new wire?Also, would it help make a difference if my ground was a bigger gauge and grounded close to the amp.The am is rated at 300W max. and has a 30amp fuse on it.Any help or advice would be appreciated.
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Posts: 17 | From: Peace River, Alberta, Canada | Registered: May 2000
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posted
General rule of thumb is to use no less than 10 gauge for an amp, and bigger is better in this case, although how much is arguable. Also use the same size ground as you have for the main power, just as much is passing throught that wire as the main lead. Your remote is fine. I don't know how well welding wire will work, I mean it will transfer the power just fine, but I have heard that it is too stiff to be very practicle. You can pick up 4 ga or 8 ga (which would be fine) for under a buck a foot on ebay.
posted
4 gauge is probably a little big for that, but that doesnt matter, it will never hurt for it to be too big, and youll already have it when you upgrade to a bigger one. as dadada said, welding cable is stiff. a lot of people use it though, it transfers the power just as good as the special wire for car audio. if you arent trying to make a really pretty instal and wont have any wire visible, i say get the welding cable, its cheaper and will work just as good. and yes you do need the same size ground as positive, and ground it no more than a couple of feet from the amp. oh and if you didnt already know this, dont run your rcas and power wire together...
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