Installing an Alpine M350...couple questions

[rollininstyle04 10+ year member]

Im helping a friend with a budget setup. We picked up a 10'' Type R and an Alpine M350 on ebay yesterday, and now I need to order all the wiring. Its only a 350 watt amp, so 8 gauge should be enough from the battery right? Or should I go for 4? Im guessing the amp only has 8 gauge inputs though, where can I check that? Secondly, the amp has 2 20A fuses built in, so in my inline fuse holder should I do a 40a? If not, what size should I use?

Sorry for all the n00bish questions

TIA

-Jordan

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[dleccord 5,000+ posts]

your m350 doesnt have 8 gauge inputs. 8 gauge should be fine and a 40amp inline fuse is good.

 

[rollininstyle04 10+ year member]

your m350 doesnt have 8 gauge inputs. 8 gauge should be fine and a 40amp inline fuse is good.

So what size inputs does the amp have them for the power and ground?

 

[dleccord 5,000+ posts]

thats what your amp looks like. i dont know the technical terms for calling those power terminals but you will need rings or spade terminals when you install your power wires.

 

[rollininstyle04 10+ year member]

thats what your amp looks like. i dont know the technical terms for calling those power terminals but you will need rings or spade terminals when you install your power wires.

Yea, I know that, but should I use 8 gauge spades? 4 gauge spades? The what size terminals will fit there? Im thinking it is 8 based on the pictures, since my Arc amps were 4 and the pic looks smaller. I just want to be sure.

 

[Max_Power 10+ year member]

Yea, I know that, but should I use 8 gauge spades? 4 gauge spades? The what size terminals will fit there? Im thinking it is 8 based on the pictures, since my Arc amps were 4 and the pic looks smaller. I just want to be sure.

I have the exact same amp, and used 8ga. w/o any problems what so ever. I had 4ga. to a dist. block, then 8ga. to the amp. I don't think it will make any difference. I'm sure you're going to be surprised with the performance of that little amp. I had one of thoes on 2, 4ohm MTX 12" 4500 series for my first setup. Pushed them just fine. also it has almost zero current draw, and never got hot. I love it to this day.

 

[rollininstyle04 10+ year member]

I have the exact same amp, and used 8ga. w/o any problems what so ever. I had 4ga. to a dist. block, then 8ga. to the amp. I don't think it will make any difference. I'm sure you're going to be surprised with the performance of that little amp. I had one of thoes on 2, 4ohm MTX 12" 4500 series for my first setup. Pushed them just fine. also it has almost zero current draw, and never got hot. I love it to this day.

Great, thanks //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Did you have two amps, or did you use the 4 gauge run just for the M350? Im hoping just to do a single 8 guage run from the battery which I think SHOULD be fine, what do you think?

 

[bds0688 10+ year member]

IS he going to want to run an amp on the high's in the future? I suggest getting 4 gauge to a distro, then 8 gauge outs.

Headroom and only having to wire once ftmfw

 

[dleccord 5,000+ posts]

they're called barrier terminals

 

[Max_Power 10+ year member]

Great, thanks //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif
Did you have two amps, or did you use the 4 gauge run just for the M350? Im hoping just to do a single 8 guage run from the battery which I think SHOULD be fine, what do you think?

no, I just had the one. I will agree with someone here by saying run a 4ga. to a distribution block for possible upgrades. But if you really NEED to, one run of 8ga. will be fine. I think the amp itself is only going to pull AT MOST 40amp. 8ga. is fine for that.

I still say do the 4 to 8 via. distribution block.