Power Wire Gauge

[sloEJcivic]

i need some help deciding on what power wire gauge to buy. im planning on running 2 amps. one 50x4 rms, and one 300x1 rms. im going to run one wire back from the battery, run it into a distribution block, and come out of that with 2 power wires. im thinking that i could run 4 gauge from the battery, and then run 8 gauge off of the block to the amps. would that be thick enough wire or should i go 2 gauge and then 4 gauge to the amps?

[imported_Kyle_G]

i personally would run an 0/1 gauge off the battery to the distribution block (which youll want to keep within 18 inches of the battery) and then run a 4 for the 300 watt and an 8 for the 50x4. thatll be more then enough

[sloEJcivic]

you want to keep the 0/1 gauge less than 18" from the battery? damn. i was trying to avoid having 2 wires going thru the fire wall. do you know why it would matter? i mean i know fuses are supposed to be no more than 18" away from the battery, but ive never heard that.

[imported_Kyle_G]

Originally posted by sloEJcivic@Aug 15 2004, 04:19 PM
you want to keep the 0/1 gauge less than 18" from the battery?* damn.* i was trying to avoid having 2 wires going thru the fire wall.* do you know why it would matter?* i mean i know fuses are supposed to be no more than 18" away from the battery, but ive never heard that.

thats exactly why it needs to be 18" from the battery. 99.9999% of distribution blocks are fused. It keeps you from having to put an inline fuse on each of the wires. Itll be easier then you think to fit those wires in the firewall. granted i had to drill a hole. but i did that merely to keep things organized and i could run the wires from where i wanted. i know monster cable makes grommets that you use when you cut the hole. prevents the wire from chafing on the bare metal.. real cheap to. ive still got one left over (came in a pack of 2 for like 7 bucks)

[sloEJcivic]

so i might as well just run two wires off the battery then. theres no point in getting a distb. block. if i run the thick wire from the battery with an inline fuse rated for both of the amps, plus use the distb. block that has fuses in it and put that in the car, i dont see where the problem is. its fused at the battery, and fused before it goes to each amp. i do see your point tho, and thanks for the help dude.

[imported_Kyle_G]

Originally posted by sloEJcivic@Aug 16 2004, 09:25 PM
so i might as well just run two wires off the battery then.* theres no point in getting a distb. block.* if i run the thick wire from the battery with an inline fuse rated for* both of the amps, plus use the distb. block that has fuses in it and put that in the car, i dont see where the problem is.* its fused at the battery, and fused before it goes to each amp. i do see your point tho, and thanks for the help dude.

well either way your gonna have to fuse the wires. so you can do it through the distributor block.. or just hardwire it to your battery and put an inline fuse somewhere on it.

Now. if you want to run the 2 wires straight from your battery, monstercable makes some great battery posts. they have a large variety too. its a (gold plated i think) mount that goes onto your battery post (dunno what you have... the posts or the ones that screw into the sides.. depends on your battery style) but i accepts your positive cable for your car and has additional holes to accept power wires for amps. mine had one with and 0/1, 4g and (2) 8g. it worked great and gives a solid connection. beats using a shitty "O" ring style wire crimp. cost me like $35.

[sloEJcivic]

yeah no doubt! ill look into those