Can you use 4 gauge as 8 gauge wire?

[GuysIGotThis]

Hey guys, me again. I have a really basic electrical question.

None of my local retailers have 8 gauge wire. I have a bunch of 4 gauge. I have a 1x4 gauge in to 2x8 gauge out distributor (It was the only one I could find locally).

My question is would it be possible to use this 4 gauge as an 8 gauge wire? Meaning I would strip either end and cut some of the fibers to make it fit. (I'll only be running it half a foot)

Click to read more...

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Yes, you can do that.

 

[Lowflyin 10+ year member]

You can always use larger wire in place of smaller wire, you cannot however use smaller wire in place of bigger.

 

[supra1987]

You can also purchase 4 gauge to 8 gauge reducer terminals for a few bucks each.

 

[C1500martin 10+ year member]

thats fine i used sky highs 1/0 for my amps and they used 4 gauge i just stripped the wire at the ends until it fit into the amps input.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

You can always use larger wire in place of smaller wire, you cannot however use smaller wire in place of bigger.

You actually can, it will still work but the performance is greatly reduced to sh*t and not advised. All wire does is carry current.

 

[Lowflyin 10+ year member]

You actually can, it will still work but the performance is greatly reduced to sh*t and not advised. All wire does is carry current.

Ok obviously you can but you risk burning your car down.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Ok obviously you can but you risk burning your car down.

Tell that to the guy i just fixed an install for, he has a 5 channel with 16 gauge power and 18 gauge ground wire lmfao. He said he had the setup for 5 years and he said he wanted something better. Swapped out the power/ground wire to 4 gauge and it made soo much difference in the output.