Build Tips

[fatboytyler]

I am finally getting into a big build and have a few questions for you gurus out there. My initial plan is 2 Zv4 15's and 2 Q1 2200s or SAZ 2500s (depending on pricing and funds), running one to each sub at either 1 ohm or .5 ohm. My 275 Amp Singer alt will be installed Saturday and I already have 0 Gauge OFC Big 3.

My question comes about with wiring. I'm getting a single amp first to run on my SA-12s then the other amp/subs. But I am going to do my battery bank (Initially 2 Deka G31s and eventually 5 or so for the full build) in the bed of my truck. So I was going to drop my wires (2 runs OFC most likely, 3 if need be) straight out the bottom of my hood and along the bottom of my frame and up through a hole I'll drill in the bed to reach my batteries. Then I'll drill through the bed and into the cab.

My question to you all is what would you use to cover the wire exposed on the bottom of the truck? I can get closed cell sponge tubing (pipe insulation) that would be large enough to fit all 4 wires with up to a 3/4" thick wall or should I just go with techflex? I was going to do PVC tubing, but since there is movement between the cab and the bed that's not the best idea. Also, what would you guys recommend to help seal the holes (I.E a big rubber boot or what) for my wiring?

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[Dub7sonoma Premium Member]

I didn't cover the wire under my truck with anything, just ran it along the frame. Where it passed through metal I use 5/8 ruber hose. My sky high 1/0 would slip through it perfectly (with a little silicone spray lube)

 

[Dub7sonoma Premium Member]

Hope that helps

 

[anger 10+ year member]

I used 1 1/2" pvc for 4 runs of SH 1/0g, but pvc cut into sections. Then wrapped the exposed sections of wire in 1 1/2" flex loom. To go through body panels I used these plastic snap-in bushings I found at Home Depot. Similar to these Halex 1/2 in. Snap-In Bushing (10-Pack)-27251 at The Home Depot. It's not a perfect seal though...I like what Dub7 did with the 5/8" hose.

 

[fatboytyler]

I didn't cover the wire under my truck with anything, just ran it along the frame. Where it passed through metal I use 5/8 ruber hose. My sky high 1/0 would slip through it perfectly (with a little silicone spray lube)

Thanks for the pics! That gives me some good ideas. Why didn't you cover the exposed wire? Are you worried about some sort of debris cutting it? And in Kentucky I am exposed to lots of salt on the roads in the winter, will this affect it any?

 

[Dub7sonoma Premium Member]

Thanks for the pics! That gives me some good ideas. Why didn't you cover the exposed wire? Are you worried about some sort of debris cutting it? And in Kentucky I am exposed to lots of salt on the roads in the winter, will this affect it any?

Not sure on the salt. Here in Louisiana we barely get snow ever. The power runs are fused at both ends so if the rare happening that one did get cut and short out it would pop a fuse. So far the wire has been under there for more than a year with no problems. And I offroad occasionally to. I guess I should mention that I have a 2' body lift on my truck and the wire is actually run on top of the frame in between the frame rails and body now that I think of it.

 

[ChaseinBass]

http://mobileaudioforum.com/forum/showthread.php?5424-96-GMC-extra-cab-Moved-from-CA-com/page31. Here's a link to my build I used split loom and PVC fittings for gromits . I have redone it so many times lol

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[fatboytyler]

96 GMC extra cab Moved from CA.com - Page 31. Here's a link to my build I used split loom and PVC fittings for gromits . I have redone it so many times lol

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Appreciate it! That build is ******* beautiful too man. I certainly like the split loom (didn't even know I could get it that big) and I like how you did the PVC for the wire holes.

This is for anyone to answer... Since I'll have a large battery bank in my bed and I was going to do 2-3 Runs, should I just run the power cables and an equal number of grounds at the front battery and rear battery? Or should I run the grounds from front to back as well? Also, should I ground the amp like normal, or run the negative from the rear battery to the amp's ground?

 

[Dub7sonoma Premium Member]

Appreciate it! That build is ******* beautiful too man. I certainly like the split loom (didn't even know I could get it that big) and I like how you did the PVC for the wire holes.
This is for anyone to answer... Since I'll have a large battery bank in my bed and I was going to do 2-3 Runs, should I just run the power cables and an equal number of grounds at the front battery and rear battery? Or should I run the grounds from front to back as well? Also, should I ground the amp like normal, or run the negative from the rear battery to the amp's ground?

I would do 2 runs of power and ground from the front battery to the rear battery bank. And since your amps will be so close to the battery bank I would go ahead and ground them at the rear battery bank. It means making more holes for more wire to be ran, but that's the best ground possible. Also I grounded my rear battery bank to the frame (with holes down through the bed) with 3 extra runs of 1/0.

 

[ChaseinBass]

I did the same ! And totally agree and I used 2 1/2 in PVC fittings and used two into the bed and two into the cab.

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---------- Post added at 09:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:15 AM ----------

 

And you got some serious battery power there lol I love it !

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[fatboytyler]

I would do 2 runs of power and ground from the front battery to the rear battery bank. And since your amps will be so close to the battery bank I would go ahead and ground them at the rear battery bank. It means making more holes for more wire to be ran, but that's the best ground possible. Also I grounded my rear battery bank to the frame (with holes down through the bed) with 3 extra runs of 1/0.

Okay so 2 Pos and 2 Neg runs to the rear bank. Then 3 ground runs from the battery bank to the chasis and ground the amp like normal? Will I need to do anything else to my under the hood battery, like add additional ground beyond my Big 3?

Also, if that is your vehicle, what did you use to secure your batteries? I was thinking a simple little cheapo wooden bottom and build a little bar across the front and either strap it down or bolt it to the bed.

EDIT: Sorry for so many questions. This will be my first big build and just want to ensure I do it right. Trying learn as much as I possibly can before I start on it.

 

[Dub7sonoma Premium Member]

I did the same ! And totally agree and I used 2 1/2 in PVC fittings and used two into the bed and two into the cab.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

---------- Post added at 09:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:15 AM ----------

 

And you got some serious battery power there lol I love it !

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

thanks

 

[Dub7sonoma Premium Member]

Okay so 2 Pos and 2 Neg runs to the rear bank. Then 3 ground runs from the battery bank to the chasis and ground the amp like normal? Will I need to do anything else to my under the hood battery, like add additional ground beyond my Big 3?
Also, if that is your vehicle, what did you use to secure your batteries? I was thinking a simple little cheapo wooden bottom and build a little bar across the front and either strap it down or bolt it to the bed.

EDIT: Sorry for so many questions. This will be my first big build and just want to ensure I do it right. Trying learn as much as I possibly can before I start on it.

I would do at least 2 runs of 1/0 from rear battery bank to the frame since you wont be using as many batteries. And you should be fine with the big three up front as longs as there are 2 runs of 1/0 positive and 2 negative from front to back.

I you look at the pic, I made sure my buss bars didn't go all the way to the outside edge of the batteries, just in case they did slide a little, nothing would be able to short against the truck. But the batteries weigh 65lbs each so all together almost 500lbs. They don't really move at all that I have noticed. I also have a rubber bed mat, so I'm sure that helps a lot.

And no problem with the questions. I don't mind helping... after all that whats the forums are for anyways.

 

[Dub7sonoma Premium Member]

Okay so 2 Pos and 2 Neg runs to the rear bank. Then 3 ground runs from the battery bank to the chasis and ground the amp like normal? Will I need to do anything else to my under the hood battery, like add additional ground beyond my Big 3?
Also, if that is your vehicle, what did you use to secure your batteries? I was thinking a simple little cheapo wooden bottom and build a little bar across the front and either strap it down or bolt it to the bed.

EDIT: Sorry for so many questions. This will be my first big build and just want to ensure I do it right. Trying learn as much as I possibly can before I start on it.

I did just think of a way you could bolt them down that would be pretty cool in my opinion. If you did use buss bars to connect the batteries together, you could make both ends of the negative side only, stick out a few inches on both ends of the bank. Then use a piece of all thread to run through the bed of the truck and up through the bus bars and the two ends that stick out. The would help a tad with grounding the bank (although I would still run 2 runs of 1/0 for actual grounds), it would also secure them tightly to the bed, and keep people from being able to steal them as easily.

 

[fatboytyler]

I did just think of a way you could bolt them down that would be pretty cool in my opinion. If you did use buss bars to connect the batteries together, you could make both ends of the negative side only, stick out a few inches on both ends of the bank. Then use a piece of all thread to run through the bed of the truck and up through the bus bars and the two ends that stick out. The would help a tad with grounding the bank (although I would still run 2 runs of 1/0 for actual grounds), it would also secure them tightly to the bed, and keep people from being able to steal them as easily.

That's actually pretty genius, I may have to give that a try. How much do buss bars normally run? I'd likely go through NRG.