Big 3 with 4 Gauge for less than 700 watts ok?

[Databyter 10+ year member]

I only ask because I know people like to do these with 0 Ga. but mostly people who do it have more power needs than I do. I mean, the amps i'm powering only have a 4 Ga. cable, why would I need more than that at the other end of the circuit?

The thing is I'm sorta tapped out right now at least for a few weeks and I've already got the 4Ga. so I could be working on it.

I'm only pushing a 350 watt amp and a 320 watt amp (conservative RMS, these amps are under-rated), so figure 700 watts max, maybe potential for a bit more..

A bonus question for those who survived round one of my long-windedness is -

Although I'm feeding both amps with a single 4Ga. at the moment I plan to do phase two which is feeding them with a batt that is 12 inches away. Then I plan to use the 4Ga. Power line as a charging lead from the alt. once again, is 4 ga. enough to charge the batt. efficiently when I'm driving, about a 10 foot run to the cargo. My listening habits will probably have me at 1/3 of the volume 90% of the time so the bat will be mostly charging more than draining except when I use it with the car off.

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[RLJ676 10+ year member]

People here typically go overboard on all wiring. 4 gauge can hold 150 amps of current on runs up to 10+ feet I believe. You will be fine. Wire Gauge Tables

I have 4 gauge big 3, running 1500 watts, always above 14 volts still.

For a second battery you need to figure what the max current draw will be and wire based on that. With a stock alternator, 4 gauge may work, but 0 would be the safe bet for sure.

 

[snoopdan 5,000+ posts]

should be fine.

 

[DarkScorpion 10+ year member]

4ga is fine for what you're running. If you ever plan on upgrading, 1/0 would be a good idea so you wouldn't have to worry about it later, but realistically, 4ga is perfectly acceptable for powering your amps, the big 3 install, and running power to your second batt.