I think I am reaching the limits of 4ga power wire . . . do I need to upgrade to 1/0?

[bdonkersgoed 10+ year member]

Hey Guys,

I just checked out the stickied thread on wiring and I am wondering if my setup is going to require 1/0 gauge wiring, or if I can get away with my existing 4 gauge wire. I would really prefer not spend the money on new (and expensive) wire, fuse holders, etc. etc. if I don't have to. I believe my system is a combined 1000 Watts, which is exactly the maximum for 4 gauge wire according to the stickied thread.

Here are the amps that I am installing:

200 Watts (Fuse Rating 30 Amps)

PPI Art Series Ax400 powering Focal Utopia 165W Components by byamplification (50W x 4)

400 Watts (Fuse Rating 50 Amps)

US Amps 400x powering RE-XXX mids at 2-ohms (200W x 2)

400 Watts (Fuse Rating 60 Amps)

Orion HCCA 225 G4 powering an Image Dynamics IDQ12 Sub at 1-ohm (400W x 1)

1000 WATTS COMBINED (Fuse Rating 140 Amps)

What do you guys think? Is my 4 gauge wiring sufficient, or do I need to upgrade?

Thanks,

Bryan

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[mtdewelf 10+ year member]

^^^^^^^^^^

 

[PESteele 10+ year member]

would you be running 3 runs of 4 or 1 and distributing. If its only 1 id go with 1/0 awg

 

[bdonkersgoed 10+ year member]

would you be running 3 runs of 4 or 1 and distributing. If its only 1 id go with 1/0 awg

I currently have one run of 4 gauge going to the back, and then I was going to distrbute.

Is it absolutely necessary to run 1/0 gauge? Dumping an extra $200 - $300 into the install is quite a bit . . .

Thanks,

Bryan

 

[PESteele 10+ year member]

weldingsupply.com

 

[mtdewelf 10+ year member]

I currently have one run of 4 gauge going to the back, and then I was going to distrbute.
Is it absolutely necessary to run 1/0 gauge? Dumping an extra $200 - $300 into the install is quite a bit . . .

Thanks,

Bryan

if you spend 2-300bucks on upgrading your wire then don't buy prositutes while doing it. MAYBE 200bucks if you get kicker hyperflex wire and all name brand fuse holders. but welding wire should be under 100bucks total with fuses/holders.

 

[bdonkersgoed 10+ year member]

Hahaha Thanks for the replies guys.

The wire would be made by Stinger, as well as the Fuse Holders and everything else.

The problem is that I have already bought two distribution blocks, and would like to use them if possible. They take either a 4 or 1/0 gauge wire and split it into two 4 gauge and three 8 gauge wires.

Do you think I could just run an extra 4 gauge wire to the trunk instead of doing 1/0 gauge? By the way, can you directly hook a 4 gauge wire up to most amps, or do you need to split it into 8 gauge first?

Thanks,

Bryan

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

Hahaha Thanks for the replies guys.
The wire would be made by Stinger, as well as the Fuse Holders and everything else.

The problem is that I have already bought two distribution blocks, and would like to use them if possible. They take either a 4 or 1/0 gauge wire and split it into two 4 gauge and three 8 gauge wires.

Do you think I could just run an extra 4 gauge wire to the trunk instead of doing 1/0 gauge? By the way, can you directly hook a 4 gauge wire up to most amps, or do you need to split it into 8 gauge first?

Thanks,

Bryan

2 runs of 4g and you should be good to go. Check your amps to see if they accept 4g

 

[bdonkersgoed 10+ year member]

2 runs of 4g and you should be good to go. Check your amps to see if they accept 4g

If they don't accept 4 gauge, is there some kind of wire end that you can put on the power lead so that it will fit?

Thanks,

Bryan

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

If they don't accept 4 gauge, is there some kind of wire end that you can put on the power lead so that it will fit?
Thanks,

Bryan

Depending on the clamp-down used on your amp for the wires, you could try to fit a C-terminal and crimp + solder it

 

[squeak12 10+ year member]

I would think it would be fine on 4 gauge. It depends on how long the run is though.

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

2 runs of 4g and you should be good to go. Check your amps to see if they accept 4g

If you don't plan on upgrading your system, this is a great route. Just remember to get a distro block; you'll probably need one.

 

[bdonkersgoed 10+ year member]

I don't plan on upgrading the system in the near future. Three amplifiers is my limit. I already have a couple of Stinger distribution blocks where each block takes a 4 gauge input and outputs two 4 gauge and three 8 gauge. I guess I could split the two power 4-gauge power lines and feed my amplifiers in this way. I should need a distro block for the negatives because they just get connected to the chassis in the trunk, correct?

Thanks,

Bryan

 

[squeak12 10+ year member]

You dont need a distrobution block for the grounds. It just usually makes for a cleaner install.

 

[bdonkersgoed 10+ year member]

You dont need a distrobution block for the grounds. It just usually makes for a cleaner install.

How would you clean up the install with a distro on the negatives? Would you then only make one physical connection to the chassis, and then split it to the three amps? Isn't it better for each amp to have an individual ground?

Thanks,

Bryan