Is 4guage alright?

[myjaja 10+ year member]

I've had 4guage in my car with this setup for a while now, is it alright to keep it like this?

Kicker kx1200.1 - 150 amps

autotek ss100.4 - 60 amps

= 210 amps

Isn't the max capacity of 4gauge 150 amps? Is it alright if I keep it like this? Can I melt the wire?

I also have a second stinger battery in the back if that will make a difference or not for the size of the wire.

thanks

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[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

no, you need to upgrade to bigger guage, 2 or 0. if you put more then the recommend current through your wire it can cause harm to your wire and electrical system/car. upgrade your wire. im assuming that you have 4 guage in between the battery's, is this correct? that should be 2 or 0 guage. now depending on how long of a run your amp wire is going to be is dependent on if you need to upgrade or not. but i personally always upgrade just to be safe. bigger wire wont hurt

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

Fuse the wire correctly (~125A). You're OK temporarily.

I seriously doubt you're in danger of melting any wire insulation - it's more an issue of voltage drop.

If you have a DMM it wouldn't be a bad idea to see what your voltage is at the amp when it's playing loud. As long as it's not dropping way down (12 ish) you shouldn't have any problems.

You should be planning for a rewire though.

 

[myjaja 10+ year member]

Fuse the wire correctly (~125A). You're OK temporarily.I seriously doubt you're in danger of melting any wire insulation - it's more an issue of voltage drop.

If you have a DMM it wouldn't be a bad idea to see what your voltage is at the amp when it's playing loud. As long as it's not dropping way down (12 ish) you shouldn't have any problems.

You should be planning for a rewire though.

It drops down to 11.8... So you're saying if I get a bigger wire, it won't drop down that low?

 

[ThatChevyGuy 5,000+ posts]

Not good. Keep it above 12.

 

[2critical 10+ year member]

no, you need to upgrade to bigger guage, 2 or 0. if you put more then the recommend current through your wire it can cause harm to your wire and electrical system/car. upgrade your wire. im assuming that you have 4 guage in between the battery's, is this correct? that should be 2 or 0 guage. now depending on how long of a run your amp wire is going to be is dependent on if you need to upgrade or not. but i personally always upgrade just to be safe. bigger wire wont hurt

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/iagree.gif.15d6c075ee8d3913ba26866d06993068.gif You can get away with it for about 4-6 feet only, between batts. should be 2 or bigger.

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

yeah dont let it drop below 12. bigger guage wont give you such a voltage drop due to less resistance that it has to work through

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

It drops down to 11.8... So you're saying if I get a bigger wire, it won't drop down that low?

yes

All wire has a given amount of resistance, the smaller the wire the more resistance, more resistance leads to more voltage drop when current tries to flow through it.

Larger wire, less resistance, current flows easier, less voltage drop -- everybody's happy.

 

[myjaja 10+ year member]

Alright, thanks for all the help //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

I'll make sure to replace the wires.

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

another thread bites the dust

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

ba-da-bomp, bomp, bomp

ba-domp-bomp-ba da-bomp

 

[JeffM 10+ year member]

While were on the topic, will 4 gauge be enough for 140 amp power draw(~1000 WRMS)?

 

[2critical 10+ year member]

While were on the topic, will 4 gauge be enough for 140 amp power draw(~1000 WRMS)?

How long a run is the question. For a 20 ft. run , no. At a shorter distance, it will be fine

 

[JeffM 10+ year member]

Its defiantly not 20 feet, maybe 16

 

[InfinitePeace 10+ year member]

Go big or go home.