Amp wire or big 3

[ShadowElky]

Copper lugs are probably the best, but you won't see major differences in ring terminal performance

Since you've helped me with that maybe you can also help with another problem. I currently have 2 options for wiring my sub from the amp: 8ga kicker wire or 16ga kicker wire. Do you know if the Sundown SA series terminals will take 8ga? Or would I be better off running the 16ga or buying some 12ga?

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Since you've helped me with that maybe you can also help with another problem. I currently have 2 options for wiring my sub from the amp: 8ga kicker wire or 16ga kicker wire. Do you know if the Sundown SA series terminals will take 8ga? Or would I be better off running the 16ga or buying some 12ga?

My X terminals barely accepted 8 gauge. Not sure in the SA terminals are the same

 

[ShadowElky]

My X terminals barely accepted 8 gauge. Not sure in the SA terminals are the same

Just realized the 4 gauge power wire I currently have is CCA. The Kicker 4 gauge I found is Silver Tinned OFC. Should I swap to the Kicker? Or still use the Kicker as Big 3 and then upgrade it all to 0 Gauge OFC later this year?

 

[negolien]

Don't be cheap invest in quality components for your big three it's not that expensive. Look up Mylows10 thread on big 3 kit he's priced decently and it comes shrink wrapped with terminals.

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Zero gauge is not expensive. I wouldn't waste time doing the big 3 with 4 gauge if I planned to upgrade in the future

 

[ShadowElky]

Zero gauge is not expensive. I wouldn't waste time doing the big 3 with 4 gauge if I planned to upgrade in the future

Should I just leave it with the Sound Quest CCA 4 gauge running the amp for now then? Or would you re-wire and use the Kicker Silver Tinned OFC? And will a 100 amp fuse by ok for the one by the battery for an 800 watt amp? Cause thats the largest I can find for my current fuse holder. Amp has two 40 amp fuses in it.

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

I'd leave it if you plan on upgrading amps in the future. 100 amp would be fine. I would fuse to the wire. Other knowledgeable people would suggest using an 80 amp fuse.

 

[ShadowElky]

I'd leave it if you plan on upgrading amps in the future. 100 amp would be fine. I would fuse to the wire. Other knowledgeable people would suggest using an 80 amp fuse.

My SA-15 has arrived and is installed. Now I'm contemplating buying an O-scope to set my amp properly. Right now all I'm using is a multimeter.

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Make sure your music is clean. People assume that after they use an o-scope that they'll never clip. If you download things from sketchy places, you can still send a clipped/distorted signal to your amplifier, which will reproduce that sound wave.

I don't use a multimeter. I just set my amps by ear. I only push things while doing short demos, otherwise its a moderate volume. Also, I've been lucky to get amps with clipping indicators. I know they aren't 100% accurate, but they're better than nothing.

 

[ShadowElky]

90% of what I play is Rhapsody on my phone through a 3.5mm aux. I do have all 36 folders from Decaf but some of them play lower freqs that box is tuned at.

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

I don't use an auxiliary cord anymore. I only use CD's that were burned at a factory and my Ipod via the sync cable. There are three songs on my Ipod not off itunes and I don't play them in my car.

I won't say Itunes is a 100% clean source, but most of it is.

 

[ShadowElky]

What I would like to do is find a radio that I can link my phone to in a way similar to using an iPhone cable, but for android. Then I can play from my phone without use of a crappy aux cord. I'd even settle for Bluetooth (got spoiled by the Dodge Ram rental I had after my wreck)

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

I don't think Bluetooth is "lossless". There are plenty of radios out there you can connect androids to. Not as common as apple product compatible, but still out there.

 

[ShadowElky]

Where's the best place to search for a new radio? Cause if I can find one decently priced I will buy that before I get a new amp.

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

I got my last one from sonicelectronix. There are cheaper websites out there, but some of them are sketchy. Sonic does have issues with shipping/packaging sometimes though, so be warned.

Used is the cheapest. You could check classifieds on here first, to begin your search.