16 Gauge speaker wire too small for 2000w amp?

[WHITEWIDOoW]

I have just upgraded to a Pioneer 2400w mono block and I have a single 12' Pioneer Champion. The sub is wired with 16 gauge speaker wire at 2ohm. Is it dangerous to to have such skinny speaker wire with 2000w?

Side notes:

-Amp Power/Ground 1/0 gauge

-speaker wire does not exceed 4ft from amp

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[BSchrowang]

Most people ( including myself) run 12gauge or higher. 12 gauge is pretty much the minimum that i would run with that much power. Someone may be able to correct me if i am wrong.

 

[WHITEWIDOoW]

could my setup set on fire if i run 16 gauge?

 

[Chris McNeeley]

Your amp is only a 1,200w @1, and only 800@2 which is your said ohm load

 

[WHITEWIDOoW]

would you recommend smaller gauge speaker wire? or will I be fine running 16gauge?

 

[JohnKuthe]

I'm running 8AWG to my 12" Alpine subwoofer. 8AWG was recommended by Alpine.

John Kuthe...

 

[The_Quiet_One 10+ year member]

Bigger would be better, but it will work for that amp and ohm load.

 

[JohnKuthe]

Bigger would be better, but it will work for that amp and ohm load.

Yep, smaller will always work, but the smaller the wire gage the more power will be lost in the wire. That's why larger wires are better. Drops the resistive loss.

John Kuthe...

 

[Umbra]

Double it up if you're worried. Two 16ga wires would give you roughly 13ga.

 

[WHITEWIDOoW]

Thats an idea, do you have to srip it, twist it, and tape it together?

 

[JohnKuthe]

Thats an idea, do you have to srip it, twist it, and tape it together?

My installer guy has a little plastic bag full of little zip ties that are excellent for bundling wires.

John Kuthe...

 

[Umbra]

Thats an idea, do you have to srip it, twist it, and tape it together?

You don't have to, but it's a good idea. Just run a second pair alongside the first and connect them in the same spots. Tape them together an inch or so from the terminals so any movement they'll do together. You can use any tape, but I prefer electrical. Better yet, use shrink wrap tubing. For either tape or tubing I recommend using black for positive and maybe red or white for negative. It just makes they easier to identify.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

16 awg is only good for 13-15A. At peaks, an 800w 2 ohm amp will generate around 20A.

+1 on doubling up.

 

[10k-watts]

Go no higher than 12 ga...I prefer 8 ga

Mr. 10K

 

[AlfySande]

Hi..i am a new user here.As per my knowledge you shoud run a second pair alongside the first and connect them in the same spots. Tape them together an inch or so from the terminals so any movement they'll do together. You can use any tape, but I prefer electrical. Better yet, use shrink wrap tubing. For either tape or tubing I recommend using black for positive and maybe red or white for negative.