Ground ?

[bradl79 10+ year member]

can i use the same ground twice, opposed to getting a distribution block, so can i have 2 cables with each a terminal ring and ground them together on the same bolt?

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[capil]

Are u running 2 amps? If ur running 2 amps ground each amp separate, shortest distance possible, less resistance. U can Use a distro block for power wire though,

 

[phemps 10+ year member]

Ground both in the same spot as long as your not making either of the wires longer in order to reach that bolt

 

[phemps 10+ year member]

You run the risk of ground modulation under the same bolt so technically its better to have them seperate but then you run the risk of ground loops. you could always get a distro block but im sure youll be fine. just listen for induced noise

 

[capil]

If u have high wattage amps that would pull a lot of current from the alternator (over 100 amps) instead of using the ground of ur amp to the chassis, ur best to keep the amp ground there, and add another wire of the same gauge up to where the alternator or battery is grounded. This gives ur amp(s) a better return path to the alt / battery. (Effectively closing the circuit)

 

[bradl79 10+ year member]

yes i am using 2 amps, the most rms i will be pulling is 200 from a 4ch amp (50x4) and 150 (mono block sub), so i should just run two separate grounds? i do have two bolts near by i can run grounds too

 

[capil]

Yea just ground separate if u can, same gauge wire as ur power

 

[phemps 10+ year member]

I say just run them to the same bolt to keep the ground loops at bay. you will be fine. Try it out and see if you have any electrical noise in your system. You shouldnt

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

I prefer to ground to the same spot whenever possible, have never had an issue doing that...

 

[phemps 10+ year member]

But again ONLY if your not extending either of those ground wires past say a foot or a foot and a half to get there. and be sure to sand down the paint around the bolt to nice shiny metal, as that should be your actual ground not the bolt that holds the wires secure

 

[tommydh 10+ year member]

It is best to ground all to same spot. When grounding to different locations thats when Ground loops occur. I have background as Electrician 13yrs 4 stae licenses: Front of House sound engineer Maryland Sound, Car audio 8 years Professional musician and with all those different backgrounds whenever ground loops were an issue was due to multple syhstem grounds. In a car/truck if its close you can do same bolt. I generally run a 1/0 cable to a good spot then use a bar to land all the audio grounds . This is same way data/ telecomm rooms are done as well as live PA setups.

 

[tommydh 10+ year member]

But again ONLY if your not extending either of those ground wires past say a foot or a foot and a half to get there. and be sure to sand down the paint around the bolt to nice shiny metal, as that should be your actual ground not the bolt that holds the wires secure

You can run up to 3' on a ground and if two seperate amps they dont have to be same length. Now if strapping them yes the need to be same length due to acting as a Parallel run then refer to Ohms law and Kerkoves laws of electrical theory on why.

 

[capil]

I personally have two amps and have them grounded separately, it works fine no ground loops or issues, up to you, only with amps that pull higher current draw I would ground separate or to the same bolt and run another wire up. Have a good solid connection scrape the paint u should be fine //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif