How to Calculate Wire Size.

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

I have never heard of any normal amplifier getting damaged if it is running above 12 volts, if you have examples I am excited to see them.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

I have never heard of any normal amplifier getting damaged if it is running above 12 volts, if you have examples I am excited to see them.

I didn't say that I did, don't put words in my mouth. Specifically what I said was "Low voltage kills amplifiers" and if your voltage has already dropped to 12v because you haven't used adequate wiring, your only a single bass note away from letting the magic smoke out.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

I honestly really did not intend to get into this argument at all. I fully understand why people need to upgrade their wiring. I was just trying to save the average guy a little cash when it comes to figuring out what kind of wire he needs.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

I honestly really did not intend to get into this argument at all. I fully understand why people need to upgrade their wiring. I was just trying to save the average guy a little cash when it comes to figuring out what kind of wire he needs.

This forum is all about being thrifty, but like I said before, skimping on wire in the beginning only leads to added cost down the line. We don't recommend everyone use 1/0 because we get a kick out making people spend money, we do it because we know sooner or later, they'll need the additional headroom.

 

[Cabin_Pressure 10+ year member]

We can keep the arguement going, I have offerered to expain exactly how to measure the maximum amount of current any battery to your audio system. A battery that provides 1000CA/CCA is generally a less then a 5 second rating depending on brand. Care to explain how a vehicle that comes with such a size battery stock, is able to function properly with stock wiring in place on a day to day basis?

Because vehicles don't come "factory" equipped with single devices capable of the current demand that could exceed the OEM wiring system(cable, fuses, fusible links). This thread is basically telling people "Hey, just run whatever you can afford, it will be safe".................that is mis-information and bad advice. High voltage drops and insufficient cable amperage capability leads to equipment failure and vehicle damage. Have a nice day.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

Because vehicles don't come "factory" equipped with single devices capable of the current demand that could exceed the OEM wiring system(cable, fuses, fusible links). This thread is basically telling people "Hey, just run whatever you can afford, it will be safe".................that is mis-information and bad advice. High voltage drops and insufficient cable amperage capability leads to equipment failure and vehicle damage. Have a nice day.

I am in no way saying to skimp on your wiring. I am saying when your on a budget, you can calculate what wire you need, based on the equipment you have, and do it safely as your not worried about what your metering. And once again, regarding the battery, please read, you can determine how much current ANY battery can provide by knowing the resistance of your wire and its length and owning a DMM with a simple circuit setup. I am not providing misinformation.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

I am not trying to advocate designing a system so that your amplifier will see exactly 12 volts based on current drop through wire. Dropping .3 per wire is acceptable.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

I am not trying to advocate designing a system so that your amplifier will see exactly 12 volts based on current drop through wire. Dropping 1 or 1.5 volts from 14.4 should not be a problem.

If your dropping over a volt in your power wire, it's not large enough, period.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

I cannot, for the life of me, understand why your advocating such large drops of voltage as being acceptable. When the input voltage to your amplifier drops, SO DOES IT'S OUTPUT VOLTAGE.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

My bad, you probably dont want to see much more then .3 volt drop in any given wire //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

---------- Post added at 03:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:26 PM ----------

 

You are correct in that regard, my man

 

[Cabin_Pressure 10+ year member]

Even the NEC says that a voltage drop greater than 3% for a single circuit is not acceptable. The math says .4V-.5V(rounded up to a 10th/volt). So i stand by what i said................."mis-information".

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

Thats gravy bro, now that we are on the same page. A 4 foot run of average 4 gauge wire can carry 300 amps of current and drop .3 volts.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

Thats gravy bro, now that we are on the same page. A 4 foot run of average 4 gauge wire can carry 300 amps of current and drop .3 volts.

Average car audio 4 gauge wire is capable of carrying 150A, if you feed it 300A your likely to start a fire.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

It all depends on the length of the wire... You can check a wire chart if you do not believe me. I do all my calculations on my own, but since we are discussing it, I check a chart myself. Chart only went up to 250 amps but 4 gauge wire can handle it in a 4 foot run //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

Taken directly from KnuKonceptz's website, one of the top CA wire manufacturers:

Kolossus Fleks Kable 4 Gauge Translucent Black (Smoke) Power Wire features 2058 Tinned Strands of Pure Oxygen Free Copper and a new Ultra Flex Matte PVC Jacket. Our new jacket allows for improved flexibility and maintains exceptional resistance to abrasion, oil, and extreme temperatures (-40 to 105 C). Capable of loads up to 150A. This product can be used in Marine applications. Price is per one foot