2 or 4 gauge power wire for two amps

[grunt66 10+ year member]

Need some help here. I am installing the following amps in my vehicle.

Zapco Reference 500.1 (1 X 360 watts at 4 ohms , Max current 40 amps)

DLS Ultimate A4 (4 X 85 watts at 4 ohms, Max current 95 amps)

I was told by a local installer that a 4 gauge power wire would be fine. Then I looked in the Zapco manual that came with the amp I saw the chart for running a power wire for different current demands. The total max current for both amps is 135 amps. The Zapco manual states that between 125 -150 amps for a 10 -13 foot power run the size of the power cable should be 2 gauge. If the run for the cable is 13-16 feet then the power cable size should be 0 gauge. The DLS manual states for the A4 by itself at a power run of 4 meters (13 feet) the power cable should be 4 gauge.

All speakers will be running at 4 ohms. The DLS will be using two at 4 ohms to power the front speakers and two channels at 4 ohms to power the rear speakers.

This is going to be my first install and appreciate any and all advise. Hopefully I provided enough information. It appears that I need to run at a minimum a 2 gauge wire. Also for the in line fuse at the battery for the power wire the DLS manual states for a 2 guage wire the max fuse should be 150 amps and for a 4 gauge power wire the max fuse should be 100 amps. Does this sound correct.

Thanks in advance.

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[DidUHearThat? 10+ year member]

4 x 85 = 95 amps? That doesn't sound right.

Double check that figure for the 4 channel.

135 is right on the edge for 4 gauge.

If it's true, then you should probably go ahead and upgrade to 2 or 0 gauge. There's no point in choking your nice/expensive amps because you wanted to save $30 on cable.

ETA: My 4 channel is 4 x 110 watts @ 4 ohms = 40 amps; (4 x 220 @ 2 ohm) = 80 amps

 

[Lothar34 10+ year member]

4 x 85 = 95 amps? That doesn't sound right.Double check that figure for the 4 channel.

http://ampguts.realmofexcursion.com/DLS_A4/

It does 4x220 at 1ohm.

I'd say it would depend on how you're using that DLS amp, but I would also say "better safe than sorry".

 

[dipitydoo 10+ year member]

Assuming you are running the 4ch amp at 4 ohm per channel, 4 gauge should be fine with a 100amp fuse, as it won't pull anywhere near the full rated current draw. If you intend to upgrade anytime in the future, I would go with bigger wires.

 

[DidUHearThat? 10+ year member]

http://ampguts.realmofexcursion.com/DLS_A4/It does 4x220 at 1ohm.

I'd say it would depend on how you're using that DLS amp, but I would also say "better safe than sorry".

That explains it.

So at 4 ohms that amp will draw less than half the current as at 1 ohm (1/3 even).

If your running it at 4 ohms, then 4 gauge should be fine.

 

[kovemaster559 5,000+ posts]

4 guage will cut it but 2 will be better safe then sorry

 

[dipitydoo 10+ year member]

properly fusing your 4gauge wire should prevent any mishaps.