Do I need to upgrade to 1/0 gauge

[Trey803 5,000+ posts]

I currently have 4 gauge running to my alpine mrv-t420 which is 110x2 @ 4 ohms. Im adding a d3 1000.1 which is 1000@1 ohm but will only be running it at 2 ohm giving 600 watts. Will I need to upgrade to a bigger wire to run both of these amps or will 4 gauge be sufficient for 800watts. Also what does running an amp at lower ohms do to the current draw; or in other words will running the amp at 2 ohms instead oh 1 draw less current?

Click to read more...

 

[Trey803 5,000+ posts]

help please.......o and the run of wire is very short b/c I have a reg cab truck

 

[dvrmstrng 5,000+ posts]

just upgrade it...i know it sounds crazy but at some point youll want it...

 

[Trey803 5,000+ posts]

Im not going to upgrade it unless I abs. need to. I hate how thick 1/0 gauge is

 

[Foote 10+ year member]

Im not going to upgrade it unless I abs. need to. I hate how thick 1/0 gauge is

4 gauge will be fine for a short run of 800 rms. HOWEVER if you are worried about it, want to rest easier, and really hate how thick 1/0 gauge is....there is 2 gauge. Its not quite as thick as 1/0 and you will definetly be covered power wise...

 

[Trey803 5,000+ posts]

what happens if my wire ends up not being big enough. Will the amps not perform to maximum

 

[Foote 10+ year member]

what happens if my wire ends up not being big enough. Will the amps not perform to maximum

over heating of the wires and may melt...but thats not gonna happen on 800 with 4 gauge, 2, or 1/0.

 

[tRidiot 10+ year member]

what happens if my wire ends up not being big enough. Will the amps not perform to maximum

Pulling too much current through a wire will cause it to get hot and possibly melt the wire's insulation. This could lead to a fire and a burned out vehicle. It has happened. Overkill is always better. 1/0 would only be a few dollars more and slightly less hassle than 4g. I would go with 2g or 1/0 myself, but since for 2g you'd likely need 1/0 accessories (i.e., distro blocks, terminals and more), I'd just spend a few dollars more for 1/0. The only major hassle is finding a hole large enough for 1/0.

I upgraded to 1/0 about 10 years ago when I surely didn't need it, but I'm sure glad in the intervening years that I did. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[VQ35max 10+ year member]

Worst-case scenario you burn your car down. Amps not performing to maximum? Not sure, running too many amps through a wire will cause excess heat, does excess heat affect the current, therefore causing a performance loss?

 

[VQ35max 10+ year member]

Oh, and personally I wouldn't upgrade with only 800wrms going through 4awg, unless you know you will eventually run more powerful amps in your car. My friend is pushing 1100wrms through a 18ft. run of 4awg, been that way for about two years, no wire melting or anything.