Ground: 2 4ga vs 1 0ga

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

Still coming up with plans for my install. I'll be running 2 four-channel amps, neither of which can accomodate 0ga wire, so I'm forced to use 4.

Option 1:

Run each 4ga ground to a distro block to a single 0ga wire, then run the 0ga to batt negative.

Option 2:

Run each 4ga ground directly to batt negative.

What would you recommend? Am I going to be limiting myself in current going one route or the other? I just realized it's cheaper to get the extra 4ga I'd need to cover the extra distance from Knu than it is a ground distro at this point.

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[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

They make 0 gauge reducers down to 4 gauge if u wana go that route..and u dont need to run ground all the way to battery ..ground at frame..unless your battery is in the trunk

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

Yeah, I have a trunk-mounted battery. Beautiful thing...

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

I would go with 1/0 wire from audio technix great stuff great price ..and buy the reducers..that way when u get amps with 1/0 input u wont have to upgrade wire

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

Any preference to which reducers you prefer?

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

They are all prety much the same stinger has gold ones and a couple other companies have them .they all work the same.about 8 bucks each i think

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

How long would the runs of 4ga straight to the battery be? Probably just go that route if they aren't long, less connections. Less chances for things to go wrong, less possible voltage loss as well.

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

Somewhere between 3 and 5 feet each, depending on how I conceal the wiring.

And apparently Knu does have the reducers...at 3.50 each.

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

Id still go with the 1/0 for future upgrades

 

---------- Post added at 11:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:13 PM ----------

 

3.50 good deal

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

If u can avoid the distros do it ..just run each amp its owb power and ground since runs will be so short

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

No need for inline fusing?

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

On your power runs yes

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

3-5 feet is easy, don't do a distro. 4ga or 1/0ga w/reducers is up to you, depends on what you think you will be doing in the future. And fusing ground is a good idea, but also up to you. 3-5 feet, as long as it's ran where it won't be tampered with, you might not need fuses, but they are there to protect shorts in the wire. Honestly, I probably wouldn't if it was my install.

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

Yea never fused a ground in my life lol..hell i debated using fuses at all..i know several buddies who run 0 fuses

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

Hmm...gives me something to think about. So how about this on the no fuse concept?

2 Knu battery terminals

1/0 gage from terminal to each amp with reducer (power)

1/0 gage with reducer from each amp to battery terminal (ground)