Do I need a distribution block?

idkcaraudio

CarAudio.com Recruit
I'm upgrading the amp in my car and the two new amplifiers are going in the same place as the stock amp. There's already a 12v line from the factory amp, but I have two amps to run. Would there be any issue with just soldering on a second wire to the existing 12v line and running it to the second amp? Sorry if this is a stupid question I'm really new to this stuff. Do I need a power distribution block instead?
 
What is the RMS watts of your two new amps? How far is it from your battery? How many channels on each amp? Plug those numbers in here https://rockfordfosgate.com/support/amp-wire-calculator/ and that will tell you how large of a wire you need. If you use wire too small for those new amps they will continuously cut off and back on as they heat and then cool. Biggest problem people have with amps is power wire undersized. Next is speaker wire but not nearly as big of a problem. Most OEM wires, especially for cars that have factory amps, will be sufficient until you get into 2000 watt amps or bigger.
 
It also seems like the stock amp had it's own ground line? Can I share this between the two amps or do I have to replace it with something thicker just like the 12v line?
The ground IS a 12 volt line. Same rules apply to positive and negative lines. But remember that the ground doesn't need to go all the way to the battery (although if you can, that would be best...just marginally better). So if you only use 1 foot of negative wire it will not lose as much as your longer positive that gores all the way to the battery. Ground it to the chassis...can be an existing bolt that bolts your seat to the chassis...or you can use a self tapping screw to place the ground right next to the amp. There's a good sticky thread on grounds...read that.
 
It also seems like the stock amp had it's own ground line? Can I share this between the two amps or do I have to replace it with something thicker just like the 12v line?
I highly recommend running a new solid ground wire the same size as your supply.As the recommendation given..What I myself would do..#1- 4 gauge Supply wire from the battery with a min of a 150 ANL fuse to a single Fused Distro. block of (1) 4ga in with min of (2) 8ga out as close the the amplifiers as you can get.. Add a Solid Distro block with (1) 4 ga in and (2) 8 ga out and use this for your grounding . Run 8 ga to ea, amplifier with the proper fuse needed for ea. amplifier per specs.Ground wiring for ea amplifier will be 8ga as well from the solid Ground distro block that is grounded properly to a solid metal frame/Chasis is recommended . Remote wire can be jumped / shared from amplifier to amplifier from the Remote on/off source
 
Oem fuses EVERYTHING. How big is the factory fuse on that wire? If you can run both your new amps without blowing the fuse or replacing it with a larger fuse then you are good. It makes no difference whether you T off or use a distribution block as long as the joint is solid and insulated/protected properly.
 
I highly recommend running a new solid ground wire the same size as your supply.As the recommendation given..What I myself would do..#1- 4 gauge Supply wire from the battery with a min of a 150 ANL fuse to a single Fused Distro. block of (1) 4ga in with min of (2) 8ga out as close the the amplifiers as you can get.. Add a Solid Distro block with (1) 4 ga in and (2) 8 ga out and use this for your grounding . Run 8 ga to ea, amplifier with the proper fuse needed for ea. amplifier per specs.Ground wiring for ea amplifier will be 8ga as well from the solid Ground distro block that is grounded properly to a solid metal frame/Chasis is recommended . Remote wire can be jumped / shared from amplifier to amplifier from the Remote on/off source
Thanks for the help, grounded the amps with 8 gauge :)
 
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idkcaraudio

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