Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
Is 8 gauge OK?
In my current system my installer installed (?!?) TWO 8 gauge power wires from the battery to my two amps (one wire for each). I've been looking to add a single, smaller amp for the front end and have been therefore looking for a distribution block to help power that third amp. In looking for said blocks almost all I can find accept 4ga. power leads from the battery and split up into 8ga. out to the amps. This raises the question: A) Should I uninstall the two 8ga. power leads and reinstall one 4ga.? or B) Can I shove the 8ga. leads in a 4ga. hole in the dist block and go from there? Thoughts? BTW; amps a 4x60RMS for the mids, 2x150RMS for the subs (and both are relatively high current) and I'm looking at a 2x30/35rms for the front end. Thanks, Eric G. |
#2
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
I'd upgrade to a single 4 guage wire, and buy a distro block that has at least three 8 guage outputs for your amps. -- KU40 |
#3
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
1 8g wire from the front to back is plenty for your system, you aren't
drawing so much power that you'd need a 4g. I do find it strange that he ran 2 long 8g runs though, I'd just run one, then have a distro block in the trunk. That'd be a much better option imo.. 2 wires cost twice as much, you need 2 fuses near the battery, and there's twice the probability that you could damage the wire, etc.. I would never mash 2 8g wires into a 4g distro block hole, I dont think it'd be that secure.. If your distro block has 3+ 8g holes on it, I'd run the battery to one of em, and the amps to the other 2. |
#4
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
I'd upgrade to a single 4 guage wire, and buy a distro block that has at least three 8 guage outputs for your amps. I agree with KU40 because although you may not need 4 gauge now, you may in the future as your system grows and you add other amps and equipment. Sure, you might not add anything in the future, but IF YOU DO, you will be REALLY glad you took these steps now. MOSFET |
#5
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
I'm sorry, I had just read KU40's post, and not your original post when I
posted my reply. OK, IMHO, there's no such thing as too many power wires (or too thick). Just take a look at my system at: http://www428.pair.com/mosfet/mtx.html DON'T PULL ANY WIRES OUT!!!! You may need them for something else in the future. I would ADD the four gauge and use that for your subwoofer amp ONLY (it might be overkill NOW, but you may buy a much larger subwoofer amp in the future, this way you're all set). That will leave you with two eight gauge wires for your two other amps. This way, you won't need to buy a distribution block. And your ready for any amp upgrades. That's how I would do it. MOSFET "Ericfg" wrote in message ups.com... Is 8 gauge OK? In my current system my installer installed (?!?) TWO 8 gauge power wires from the battery to my two amps (one wire for each). I've been looking to add a single, smaller amp for the front end and have been therefore looking for a distribution block to help power that third amp. In looking for said blocks almost all I can find accept 4ga. power leads from the battery and split up into 8ga. out to the amps. This raises the question: A) Should I uninstall the two 8ga. power leads and reinstall one 4ga.? or B) Can I shove the 8ga. leads in a 4ga. hole in the dist block and go from there? Thoughts? BTW; amps a 4x60RMS for the mids, 2x150RMS for the subs (and both are relatively high current) and I'm looking at a 2x30/35rms for the front end. Thanks, Eric G. |
#6
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
Thanks, gentlemen, for all your wise suggestions.
In the end I think I'll go the 8ga. dist. block route. Why you may ask? Well, I tell ya why; The vehicles closing in on the end of it's useful life as are some of the components so I'll scavenge the best parts of the system when I sell it and reinstall them in the new ride (along with oodles of 4ga. wire ). MOSFET, nice system page. I notice you make no mention of any battery or alternator upgrade. May I ask why? (oops, I see the battery on the last picture) Thanks again, Eric |
#7
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
.. I notice you make no mention of any battery
or alternator upgrade. May I ask why? (oops, I see the battery on the last picture) Thanks again, Eric My car SERIOUSLY needs an alternator upgrade. The problem, however, is that they do not make any aftermarket HO alternators that will fit my car (believe me, I have checked a BUNCH of sites and made a BUNCH of phone calls). Yes, I could have one custom made, but that would be SERIOUS bucks. It has also been sugested that I have my existing alternator rebuilt with hand wound heavy duty windings (which again, would not be cheap). So, for now (until I blow the thing), I'm stuck with the stock alternator which really sucks because in every other car I've ever had, I've upgraded my alternator to a HO model. MOSFET |
#8
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
"HO" means high output?
|
#9
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
Yes.
"Ericfg" wrote in message ups.com... "HO" means high output? |
#10
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
Ericfg wrote:
"HO" means high output? Correct. Most cars have stock alternators that are designed to power their factory electrical systems and not a whole lot more. The more current your stereo draws, the more of a load it puts on that alternator. If it can't provide enough current, then all the capacitors and deep-cycle batteries in the world won't help. |
#11
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
Most cars have stock alternators that are designed to power their factory
electrical systems and not a whole lot more. The more current your stereo draws, the more of a load it puts on that alternator. If it can't provide enough current, then all the capacitors and deep-cycle batteries in the world won't help. Too true! MOSFET |
#12
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
How 'bout this:
My two 8ga. power wires*, each connected to the 'in' on a capacitor. The *three* 8ga. power wires off the 'out' on the cap, one each to each amp. Does that sound reasonable? Or should I go battery to dist. block to cap to dist. block to amps. That sounds silly/like overkill. To me anyways. Thanks for your help. I'm learning and enjoying this discussion at the same time Eric G. * I have two power wires from my battery, one each to the two amps I currently run. |
#13
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
Ericfg wrote:
How 'bout this: My two 8ga. power wires*, each connected to the 'in' on a capacitor. The *three* 8ga. power wires off the 'out' on the cap, one each to each amp. Does that sound reasonable? Except for the fact that having a cap at all is WAY overkill for your system... sure |
#14
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
Except for the fact that having a cap at all is WAY overkill for your system... sure Really? Why? The system ain't huge but it *does* draw some current, and I do have some headlight and interior light fluctuation. So if a small cap can help that, and serve to help with my distribution issues why not? |
#15
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
MOSFET Wrote: I'm sorry, I had just read KU40's post, and not your original post when I posted my reply. OK, IMHO, there's no such thing as too many power wires (or too thick). Just take a look at my system at: http://www428.pair.com/mosfet/mtx.html DON'T PULL ANY WIRES OUT!!!! You may need them for something else in the future. I would ADD the four gauge and use that for your subwoofer amp ONLY (it might be overkill NOW, but you may buy a much larger subwoofer amp in the future, this way you're all set). That will leave you with two eight gauge wires for your two other amps. This way, you won't need to buy a distribution block. And your ready for any amp upgrades. That's how I would do it. MOSFET "Ericfg" wrote in message ups.com... Is 8 gauge OK? In my current system my installer installed (?!?) TWO 8 gauge power wires from the battery to my two amps (one wire for each). I've been looking to add a single, smaller amp for the front end and have been therefore looking for a distribution block to help power that third amp. In looking for said blocks almost all I can find accept 4ga. power leads from the battery and split up into 8ga. out to the amps. This raises the question: A) Should I uninstall the two 8ga. power leads and reinstall one 4ga.? or B) Can I shove the 8ga. leads in a 4ga. hole in the dist block and go from there? Thoughts? BTW; amps a 4x60RMS for the mids, 2x150RMS for the subs (and both are relatively high current) and I'm looking at a 2x30/35rms for the front end. Thanks, Eric G. You run 4 caps? I will now take whatever you say with a grain of salt. -- Mannyb18b |
#16
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
Ericfg wrote:
Except for the fact that having a cap at all is WAY overkill for your system... sure Really? Why? The system ain't huge but it *does* draw some current, and I do have some headlight and interior light fluctuation. So if a small cap can help that, and serve to help with my distribution issues why not? Your lights fluctuate because your alternator isn't producing enough current. A cap is a band-aid solution at best. |
#17
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
Your lights fluctuate because your alternator isn't producing enough
current. A cap is a band-aid solution at best. True. And you will eventually destroy your alternator anyway drawing this kind of current. Trust me, I HAVE!!!! MOSFET |
#18
Posted to rec.audio.car
|
|||
|
|||
Power wire. 8ga.?
Mannyb18b wrote:
MOSFET Wrote: I'm sorry, I had just read KU40's post, and not your original post when I posted my reply. OK, IMHO, there's no such thing as too many power wires (or too thick). Just take a look at my system at: http://www428.pair.com/mosfet/mtx.html DON'T PULL ANY WIRES OUT!!!! You may need them for something else in the future. I would ADD the four gauge and use that for your subwoofer amp ONLY (it might be overkill NOW, but you may buy a much larger subwoofer amp in the future, this way you're all set). That will leave you with two eight gauge wires for your two other amps. This way, you won't need to buy a distribution block. And your ready for any amp upgrades. That's how I would do it. MOSFET "Ericfg" wrote in message ups.com... Is 8 gauge OK? In my current system my installer installed (?!?) TWO 8 gauge power wires from the battery to my two amps (one wire for each). I've been looking to add a single, smaller amp for the front end and have been therefore looking for a distribution block to help power that third amp. In looking for said blocks almost all I can find accept 4ga. power leads from the battery and split up into 8ga. out to the amps. This raises the question: A) Should I uninstall the two 8ga. power leads and reinstall one 4ga.? or B) Can I shove the 8ga. leads in a 4ga. hole in the dist block and go from there? Thoughts? BTW; amps a 4x60RMS for the mids, 2x150RMS for the subs (and both are relatively high current) and I'm looking at a 2x30/35rms for the front end. Thanks, Eric G. You run 4 caps? I will now take whatever you say with a grain of salt. I think it is 5 caps... If your quoting Mosfet's post. MF I use five capacitors (one for each amp and one next to the battery) for a total of four farads; Optima Yellow-top battery; Phoenix Gold 200 amp circuit breaker, and PG connectors; 4 gauge power cables used throughout Five.... 1.2.3.4.5.... 5 Caps.!! Wasted money for one.. (and one next to the battery) useless IMHO.. I ran 1/0 from bat - distro. 4ga to the amps. Overkill but anticipated future upgrades.. Still waiting on the upgrades No Caps Here! FD |
Reply |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
How to install Audiovox FMM100 modulator in 2002 Alero sedan | Car Audio | |||
KISS 113 by Andre Jute | Vacuum Tubes | |||
here is how firewire ports fail | Pro Audio | |||
List of NOS mostly tubes | Vacuum Tubes | |||
System warm-up | Audio Opinions |