help with wires

[a easy username]

Okay, I have an Oldsmobile 88 1997. I want to put kenwood 2 12s with 800 watt amp. I would like to know what kind of fuse i need. also, should i use 8 gauge power and ground wires? Also, If my head unit doesnt have a subwoofer output, how could i hook it up? thank you

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[Z1NONLY 10+ year member]

What's the make and model of the amp?

What fuse(s) does it come with? (if any)

Stock HU?

 

[a easy username]

2 30a fuses.

most likely stock, thinking about putting in a jensen HU

Kenwood 800W KAC-7201 Amp

 

[Z1NONLY 10+ year member]

Just checked your amp out. It seems to have a low pass filter built in so you don't "need" a sub-out from the HU.

You will probably want to get 4 gauge power cable for anything over a 6-foot or or so run.

The fuse near the battery should also be 60 amps unless you intend to have other devices connected to this power cable.

IIRC, the "standard" is to have the fuse less than 18" from your battery. Just consider that the fuse near the battery is there to protect the car/battery from shorts that might occur between the battery and the equipment connected to the cable.

Sometimes it makes sense to put the fuse even closer to the battery.

 

[a easy username]

okay also for the remote wire, is 18 gauge alright?

 

[UnderFire 10+ year member]

okay also for the remote wire, is 18 gauge alright?

18 or 16.

 

[Z1NONLY 10+ year member]

Also try to get a HU that has some RCA outputs (at least on pair, more would be better) even if they aren't dedicated "subwoofer" outputs.

 

[a easy username]

One LAST question. When hooking up the new HU, will plugging in the old wires from the stock HU to the new HU be easy? Will it fit for sure? Will I need to buy anything else? Last few questions* lol

 

[Z1NONLY 10+ year member]

Get a wire harness. They are vehicle specific and cost about ~15-25 bucks. Crutchfield includes them with the purchase of a HU from them, but you can get them at almost any car audio shop and online. Connect the wires from your new HU to the wires on the harness. the other end of the harness should plug right into the car's connectors. (The ones you disconnect when you take out the stock deck.)