Amp Wiring Help

[03 Acura TL 10+ year member]

I'm going to be running an Alpine PDX 1.600 and a PDX 2.150 (less than 1000 watts total) and wanted to know how i should wire them. I was planning on using 4 gauge wire from the battery and then connecting a distribution block with 8 gauge wire going to both amps. However, a guy at the local shop just said to run a 4 gauge to the mono amp, and an 8 gauge to the 2 channel. This way if one fuse blows there is less trouble shooting to see what the problem is.

So is it ok to use two different size wires for 2 different amps instead of using a distribution block? Is there any harm or benefit in doing so?

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[lashlee 10+ year member]

For simple connections sake, I'd do the 4 awg from the battery, and do 8 awg to the amps. I haven't installed any of the PDX's, but I haven't heard them being too power hungry. You could always use the power wire sizing gauge and figure your consumption and length and let it tell you what you need.

If you are like most of us, you'll eventually upgrade, and the 4 or larger wire will allow you to not have to redo some or all of the install in the future. The distribution block will allow you to leave the 4 there and just replace after the block.

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

For simple connections sake, I'd do the 4 awg from the battery, and do 8 awg to the amps. I haven't installed any of the PDX's, but I haven't heard them being too power hungry. You could always use the power wire sizing gauge and figure your consumption and length and let it tell you what you need.
If you are like most of us, you'll eventually upgrade, and the 4 or larger wire will allow you to not have to redo some or all of the install in the future. The distribution block will allow you to leave the 4 there and just replace after the block.

x2

I'm not a pro, and barely an amateur, but I say you should get the biggest size you can afford/feel comfortable buying. I did 2-gauge for a 104x4 RMS amp and 300x2 RMS amp... obviously I don't need 2-gauge. But, in the future if I do an upgrade I might not have to change my wire, and I feel safe with the knowledge that my amps are getting enough power.

and I haven't really heard of someone running a seperate wire for both? Of course, I haven't heard a lot of things before. But, I don't understand how that can lead to less trouble shooting? If anything, it'd just be a bigger hassle installing. I think 4AWG to a 4-to-8 AWG distro block would work quite well.

 

[03 Acura TL 10+ year member]

Well then i'll pick up a distribution block today. Also, i plan on mounting the amps under the front seats so i'll be running all the wires under the center console. Is it ok to run the power wire and RCA wires together or does it even matter?