About to wrap things up

[phatcat600 10+ year member]

I have everything ready to be installed tomorrow. My wires are ran, box is built and everything is ready. A few final questions

Clear up the debate to me: Do ground wires really need to be less than a foot long? Im using 0 guage for my SAZ-1500Ds (1500 watts rms, will not be used at full tilt) ground and 4 guage for my Profile CA600 (only 300 watts total rms) ground. It seems as if there is so little resistance in a few feet that a few feet would be ok. Is there really a problem with longer grounds?

When it comes to mounting amps on the box, some say its fine; others say it will break the amp eventually. Who has experience with this?

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[phatcat600 10+ year member]

I spent a lot more time searching and people say if I must mount to the box then I should use rubber bushings. Are they talking about the kind that are like 1 mil thick or some real thick ones? What section would I find thick ones in at the ahrdware store?

 

[geowick07 10+ year member]

Ground wires should be under 3 FT. long, not 1 Ft. (Keep them as short as possible, and try to avoid having them longer than 3 ft.)

As for the map mounted on the box, I have mine that way now, and have had it that way for quite a while. No ill effects just yet. You will hear different theories on mounting the amp to the box. Some say go ahead. Some say don't do it. Some say do what works best for your install. My install didn't allow me much choice in the matter. But, if you have options, and space and materials, build yourself an amp rack and mount the amp separate from the enclosure. Good luck with the install!

 

[BoomBoomBoy 10+ year member]

One of the reasons to keep ground wires as short as possible is to avoid introducing noise into your system. Long ground wires have a tendancy to act as antenas.