Help, wiring 1 ohm, but speaker wire terminals too small

[Supergumby5000 5,000+ posts]

Trying to run two subs on 1000RMS each @ 1 ohm, so i need 10 guage or higher wire according to the wire guide specs. I have 8 guage, because nowhere around here sells 10 guage for whatever reason, jumps from 12 to 8.

Well, trying to get two 8 guage wires into one terminal on the subs is what seems to be impossible, and the terminals on the amp are even smaller, is there any kind of terminal adapters out there i can buy to fix this problem or does anyone else have ideas?

Click to read more...

 

[Boulderguy 10+ year member]

So your amp puts out 2000w RMS? Or is it 1000 & you're running two subs on it?

If it's the latter I'd use a single 12g wire or one to each if you want, especially if it's a short cable run. 8g is complete overkill.

EDIT - I see your sig there, Hifonics XX-Hercules? OK, maybe stick with the 8g, you can trim the ends down to fit, just cut out some of the copper - won't affect anything. Or better - solder the speaker terminals. Otherwise the 12g will still work for you. Wanna get really fancy? Use distro blocks.

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

10ga power wire will work

 

[BIGsherm7272]

I have 10 ft of knukonceptz 10 gauge karma speajer wire I could sell ya......

 

[Supergumby5000 5,000+ posts]

I used 8 guage to run to the subs, then used extra 12 guage i had to run from each + to + and - to - on the subs. the + to + and - to - are creating the 2 ohm load, which means 12 guage would be enough power, then the 8 guage makes the run to 1 ohm.

Bad news is those wires are CRAMMED into the terminals on the subs. im pretty sure not all of the wire got into the terminals, but most of it did i think. How much do i need to worry about this part? is there a way i can test if i get enough wire in there without having to take the subs out? they arent screwed down yet, but its hard enough to do all that wiring while holding a sub above its box by myself.

 

[Supergumby5000 5,000+ posts]

double checked some of the connections, looks like about 80% ish of the wire is in the terminals, does that sound okay or do i need to do something about it?

 

[Boulderguy 10+ year member]

Way more than enough. You could also try pin connectors - monster cable makes some or get 'em at radio shack - basically a crimp-on metal point that'll fit into any terminal. There's no loss trimming your wires back or using pins for short distances like that.