General Install Questions

[TommyBoy24 10+ year member]

Ok, I am trying to install an amp and a sub into my Grand Prix and I have a frew questions. First what gauge wire should I use to power my amp, it is a 200 watt amp? I am guessing it is going to take me about 20 feet of wire to reach the trunk. Second, is there a difference in wire, e.i. is what I can get at Home Depot the same stuff I would buy at lets say Best Buy? Third, the radio reception in my car is bad to begin with, any ideas on how to improve this, I haven't installed or messed with anything yet? Fourth, what size of fuse should I run in line with the positive power wire, this info wasn't included in the amps manual? I am using the factory head unit in order to keep my steering wheel controls. I appreciate all of the help, Tom //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/banghead.gif.8606515f668c74f6de0281deb475b6fd.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

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[masterbass 10+ year member]

if i were u i would get 8 gauge wire and dont buy any cheap walmart or fleamarket crap especially the cheap stuff of ebay i would say go with lighting audio or rockfard fosgate wiring kits and the fuse it depends on how big the fuse is in ur amp but ur radio reception i would think that u can buy a antenna booster from radio shack or ask a local audio shop there pretty cheap or another way is getting xm service or sirus service but that is a little more expensive

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

sorry masterbass.....but wire is wire..the only thing that really matters w/ the brand name of the wire is the strand count.....and run the wire from the + of the bat to the + on the amp and run the remote wire from the h/u to the remote of the amp and also run about a 12-18" wire same size as the power to a good ground source in your car....good luck

 

[rco8786 10+ year member]

Originally posted by Goddyd4me sorry masterbass.....but wire is wire..the only thing that really matters w/ the brand name of the wire is the strand count.....and run the wire from the + of the bat to the + on the amp and run the remote wire from the h/u to the remote of the amp and also run about a 12-18" wire same size as the power to a good ground source in your car....good luck

more like run the shortest wire possible to ground w/

 

[Mark_ab 5,000+ posts]

Originally posted by Goddyd4me sorry masterbass.....but wire is wire..the only thing that really matters w/ the brand name of the wire is the strand count.....

Yup!! Wire is wire, as long as it's oxygen free copper. The only difference strands make is flexibility. Don't beleive me, go check out AudioQuest wire...big ass solid pieces.

 

[masterbass 10+ year member]

not so i had some cheap no name wire installed by a shop when i got my first car and do 2 poor quality sections of the wire heated up and melted the rubber surround i may be wrong but i woulsd still recomend going with a wire produced by a company that has established itself rather than going withsome cheap 20 dollar install kit

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

to each their own i guess...me personally i'd rather spend $10 on wire and do it myself instead of paying like $50 for the wire....

 

[masterbass 10+ year member]

ohh yeah i agree i buy my wires at the flea market i get pheinox gold 4 gauge for 1 buck

a foot thats what i meant to buy not the 50 dollar kits