4 Gauge enough? VW GTI, modest system

[JCJetta 10+ year member]

I want to know if using 4 gauge for my system will suffice.

Here's the facts.

• Big 3 performed with 4 gauge

• VW GTI – short car, amps mounted on back seat

• Stock battery (for now)

• Alpine PDX 150.2 highs amp (30 amp fuse)

• MTX 500D sub amp (75 amp fuse)

• Or possible Alpine PDX 600.1 sub amp (60 amp fuse)

• Single 8" or 10" sub running 2 ohms, sealed enclosure

I want to keep the current draw low, but I still want to be able to piss off old people. I don't want to tax my VW's already fussy electrical system and other accessories too much.

I'm considering a Yellow Top battery or something of the sort, if I need to.

I listen mostly to rock.

I'd like to think my system is modest enough to avoid serious electrical system upgrades outside of what I've done already, and that 4 gauge is thick enough to handle the current load.

Feedback please? Thanks!

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[thaster 10+ year member]

yes it is enough, but if you have the money to go 0 gauge, it be even better for your electrical system and any other further upgrades to your system.

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

yes it is enough, but if you have the money to go 0 gauge, it be even better for your electrical system and any other further upgrades to your system.

He will not be pulling enough current to cause any noticeable voltage drops, so 1/0 will not be "better" for the system. The only time the next size up will be better is when you are reaching the current carrying limits of one size, therefore causing voltage drops and increased current draw.

900w @ 12v and 70% efficiency is 107A, at full tilt. Given that music is very dynamic, you won't ever see 100A unless you are playing two sine waves simultaneously.

If you do not plan to upgrade, 4 gauge is plenty. If you want to go to 1500w+ later, then go 1/0 now.

 

[wu501 10+ year member]

your fine with the 4 gauge. That is what I ran in my GTI with larger amps than yours and had no problems.

 

[Oldbass38 10+ year member]

He will not be pulling enough current to cause any noticeable voltage drops, so 1/0 will not be "better" for the system. The only time the next size up will be better is when you are reaching the current carrying limits of one size, therefore causing voltage drops and increased current draw.
900w @ 12v and 70% efficiency is 107A, at full tilt. Given that music is very dynamic, you won't ever see 100A unless you are playing two sine waves simultaneously.

If you do not plan to upgrade, 4 gauge is plenty. If you want to go to 1500w+ later, then go 1/0 now.

X2 ... My old system worked fine with approx 1300watts on 4 gauge.... When I purchased my SAZ1500D I then switched to 1/0.

 

[JCJetta 10+ year member]

He will not be pulling enough current to cause any noticeable voltage drops, so 1/0 will not be "better" for the system. The only time the next size up will be better is when you are reaching the current carrying limits of one size, therefore causing voltage drops and increased current draw.
900w @ 12v and 70% efficiency is 107A, at full tilt. Given that music is very dynamic, you won't ever see 100A unless you are playing two sine waves simultaneously.

If you do not plan to upgrade, 4 gauge is plenty. If you want to go to 1500w+ later, then go 1/0 now.

Thanks!

1/0 isn't out of the question because of cost; it's because it's friggen huge, and I don't have the time or tolerance to run it. The VW's interior is a pain to deal with as it is with 4 ga.

And no, I don't plan on upgrading further. As of now I'm running an MTX 250D and I'll see some lights dimming occassionally on bass-heavy songs, but that may be due to the amp clipping (?). I'm running a single 8" Assassin currently, but I'm really considering an ICON 10 or Image Dynamics IDQ 10, sealed.

 

[wat 10+ year member]

ask req how he ran his 1/0.

he has 2 18's so i know he has at least 1 run of 1/0