best wiring way

[Bigrick31 10+ year member]

4 awg is rated to 125A //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif
If the amp has larger than 4 awg inputs, then use the proper size wire with the proper sized fuse.

This is for true wire sizes i know some manufacturers like to oversize their wire and call it 4ga when its really 3ga or 2ga

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

OK, so it is hard to find the size of the wire inputs on the AQ amps. I guess I will just have to assume they are 1/0 inputs. If someone has different info, please feel free to correct me. The AQ website is the least informative site since XS.

All wires should be 1/0 and all fuses should be 300A. This is assuming you are running oversized 1/0 awg audio wire. If you are running traditional sized 1/0 wire, then fuse at 250A.

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

This is for true wire sizes i know some manufacturers like to oversize their wire and call it 4ga when its really 3ga or 2ga

Like I said before, I don't have an EE degree and am not up to testing the limits of wire, I just go by the charts given. Most people in the industry would agree that the chart on the BCAE1 site is used as the default. That is unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise. As a general rule of thumb, BCAE1 states that 4 awg wire should be fused with a 125A fuse.

Now if you want to question the validity of the BCAE1 website, go for it. But until someone tells me otherwise, the BCAE1 site will stand as the Bible of Car Audio reference.

 

[Bigrick31 10+ year member]

Like I said before, I don't have an EE degree and am not up to testing the limits of wire, I just go by the charts given. Most people in the industry would agree that the chart on the BCAE1 site is used as the default. That is unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise. As a general rule of thumb, BCAE1 states that 4 awg wire should be fused with a 125A fuse.
Now if you want to question the validity of the BCAE1 website, go for it. But until someone tells me otherwise, the BCAE1 site will stand as the Bible of Car Audio reference.

Depends on what type of wire they are using. That chart is for the insulation types listed and is a similar chart to that of the national electrical code. Car audio specific wire may have higher ampacity ratings because manufacturers like to oversize their wire and market it as a smaller size than what it really is. I never understood this myself. Why take a 2/0 wire and call it 1/0 and sell it for more than a regular 1/0? So if you buy 1/0 welding wire you should refer to the chart that i listed because chances are its not rated for the higher ampacity that is listed on the BCAE1 Now if you are using Car audio specific wire the BCAE1 Is most likely right on.

 

[McIntosh 10+ year member]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif I used the generally accepted Bible of Car Audio wire chart //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

Generally accepted by whom? Best Buy installers? There is but one nationally accepted source: the National Electrical Code. I think the first issue was in 1897. Any clown can make up a table/webpage or claim their wire is somehow better than it is. Most of it is likely Chinese manufactured crap with highly suspect insulation quality, let alone copper purity. http://www.okonite.com/engineering/nec-ampacity-tables.html is one simple example of actual ampacities with quality insulation. And that's at 86F ambient. I hope the "Bible of Car Audio" has several eulogy chapters

 

[McIntosh 10+ year member]

Your ampacity table is a conservative number and is designed to safely cover the infinite variety of AWG used in the field.
Technically the max load of a wire is determined by the voltage drop, insulation temperature limit, thickness, thermal conductivity, and air convection/temperature.

The only way to properly determine the capacity of a power wire is to get your data from the manufacturer. According to Knu (one of the more popular brands of power cable), their Kolossus 4ga is rated to 150a at 12-15ft. They don't specify if that number is on free air or bundled specs.

http://www.knukonceptz.com/assets/pdf/PowerWireSpec.pdf

I'm sure there's some conservatism built in to the tables. It safely covers the finite variety of AWG used as it specifically addresses each. Technically the max load cares not about voltage drop. Its strictly I squared R (heat). Insulation type, termination temperature rating and ambient temperature surely come into play. As to the "manufacturer's" claims: Are they even UL approved? Probably not. Is their insulation type even printed on the wire's jacket? Probably not. Does any of that conform to the NEC? Definitely not. Can you trust it to perform as they say it will without any independent testing? I certainly wouldn't. 4AWG wire is good for 85 amps (with quality insulation) no matter how long it is (15' or 15 miles, no difference). The fact they give a length with an amp rating should set off an alarm. Length has nothing to do with ampacity. Snake oil sales part a fool and his money as they have for centuries. As to free air vs. "bundled", the underhood temp would generally be the limiting factor. Under carpet isn't free-air, so its not an applicable use of that ampacity table. Try to get something in writing that supports their ampacity claims (for your car insurance company). I'd wager you never hear from them.

 

[SicAudio 5,000+ posts]

and just like you have been told on other forums you are still wrong McIntosh. car wiring has a diferent standard cuz it itsnt in an insulated wall dumbass, it also isnt solid core wire retard, and it most definately has better insulation moron!

and oh yeah i forgot the biggest part of it: IT IS 12 VOLTS YOU STUPID FKING RETARDED JEW SPLOOGE GEEK.

110 a/c vs 12 volt d/c hmmm??? they are the same???

i never knew that.

run 100 amps through a 14/4 home wire for 30 minutes and watch what happens they do more than that in 14 guage wire on an alternator in every car made.

I know bcae is 100% perfectly the holiest of all car audio books and i should know it is correct cuz just like you I am a certified geek but mine is through ASE as an automotive master tech for 22 yrs. and I am certified on all makes and models including the new smaller wire higher amp / voltage euro crap that just came out a few yrs ago.

 

[SicAudio 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/flamer.gif.1fb8372af2de4b576aa9428ccc8a8f2f.gif

 

[McIntosh 10+ year member]

and just like you have been told on other forums you are still wrong McIntosh. car wiring has a diferent standard cuz it itsnt in an insulated wall dumbass, it also isnt solid core wire retard, and it most definately has better insulation moron!and oh yeah i forgot the biggest part of it: IT IS 12 VOLTS YOU STUPID FKING RETARDED JEW SPLOOGE GEEK.

110 a/c vs 12 volt d/c hmmm??? they are the same???

i never knew that.

run 100 amps through a 14/4 home wire for 30 minutes and watch what happens they do more than that in 14 guage wire on an alternator in every car made.

I know bcae is 100% perfectly the holiest of all car audio books and i should know it is correct cuz just like you I am a certified geek but mine is through ASE as an automotive master tech for 22 yrs. and I am certified on all makes and models including the new smaller wire higher amp / voltage euro crap that just came out a few yrs ago.

U spel so gud yew must be smart. yer 22? yer 2 smart for so yung. god skool.

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

you guys should CLICK

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

you guys should CLICK
//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

I thought for sure you were going to Rick-roll their ***** //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

that's a ban-able offense //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

that's a ban-able offense //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

Pfftt! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

Eye haz perma-banned //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[taintedplay 10+ year member]

ok i got 5 total fuses with 300a on each. two between front and back batt, one right after the last battery to the amps each, and now i have one left over. where should i put it?

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

I would rather over wire than under wire...also alot of guys here would not pass an IASCA or USACI install judging event....They would say it was biased or a joke when they labled their install a fire hazzard LOL