Just Rewired, but not getting proper power. Help?

[Trcinca]

Hey everyone. Since this is my first sub set, for the last few months I've been running my subwoofer through an 8 gauge wire (the previous owner left it in). The problem is, this is a 140 AMP amplifier and the subs are pulling 900 watts. So clearly 8 wouldn't handle it. I upgraded to KnuKonceptz 0 gauge (KCA Kable). I ran it to the back, and put it into a distribution block that comes out with 2 4 gauge wires. I then ran a 4 gauge into the amp.

Now, the problem: The subs are quieter than they were with the 8 gauge! With the gain at max, they're still whispering, so I've stopped running them until it's figured out.

Possible problems:

The 4 gauge is INCREDIBLY cheap Renegade wiring my Father picked up for me.

I also stretched the 4 gauge INCREDIBLY tight between the amp and dist. block (should have cut it a little longer, I suppose. I have more don't worry, it was like 1$ a foot.)

The block that was rated for 0 gauge couldn't handle the KCA, so I just cut the wires small enough to fit. I know this is bad, and I'm ordering a new dist. block directly from Knu, but I figured it's still triple the wire the 8 gauge had, so it doesn't make sense it'd be quieter.

My ground is new, I put it on a bolt that ties the seatbelt directly into the frame. I cleaned all metal before attaching it. If It's not set correctly, the amp won't turn on. I think it's loose, I'll go try and fix that problem while I wait for replies.

Tl;dr:

New kit, Knu KCA, ran into a cheap dist block, leading to cheap 4 gauge. Not getting any power to amp subs, what should I do?

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[jasonAz 10+ year member]

Redo the ground!! Find a piece of sheet metal on the floor, scrape it good so its nice and shiny and put a few self tapping screws through the connector into the sheet metal. Make sure there is nothing under where you want to drill first. This should fix everything.

 

[NutHugger 10+ year member]

Hey everyone. Since this is my first sub set, for the last few months I've been running my subwoofer through an 8 gauge wire (the previous owner left it in). The problem is, this is a 140 AMP amplifier

What amp is it? They aren't rated in amps. That's why I ask.

and the subs are pulling 900 watts.

Current is drawn based on the voltage applied and impedence. Since those two change constantly on music, you couldn't possibly know how many watts are "pulled".

So clearly 8 wouldn't handle it. I upgraded to KnuKonceptz 0 gauge (KCA Kable). I ran it to the back, and put it into a distribution block that comes out with 2 4 gauge wires. I then ran a 4 gauge into the amp.

Now, the problem: The subs are quieter than they were with the 8 gauge! With the gain at max, they're still whispering, so I've stopped running them until it's figured out.

Check the voltage of the power wire. If it tests good (14v+ with the engine running) then you've changed some other variable and either didn't mention it or don't know you did it.

Possible problems:

The 4 gauge is INCREDIBLY cheap Renegade wiring my Father picked up for me.

Unless you used a long length of it, it doesn't matter.

I also stretched the 4 gauge INCREDIBLY tight between the amp and dist. block (should have cut it a little longer, I suppose. I have more don't worry, it was like 1$ a foot.)

wtf? Just check the voltage and then run a new strand.

The block that was rated for 0 gauge couldn't handle the KCA, so I just cut the wires small enough to fit. I know this is bad, and I'm ordering a new dist. block directly from Knu, but I figured it's still triple the wire the 8 gauge had, so it doesn't make sense it'd be quieter.

facepalm

My ground is new, I put it on a bolt that ties the seatbelt directly into the frame. I cleaned all metal before attaching it. If It's not set correctly, the amp won't turn on. I think it's loose, I'll go try and fix that problem while I wait for replies.

Double facepalm. Seatbelt bolts are commonly used and commonly problematic. It's always best to get a grommet and make a 3/4 inch hole somewhere that can be covered up if you ever choose to remove the wire and sell the vehicle. Then you just take the ground wire straight to the frame.

Tl;dr:

New kit, Knu KCA, ran into a cheap dist block, leading to cheap 4 gauge. Not getting any power to amp subs, what should I do?

Measure the voltage. Don't attempt to stretch wire. Don't use a distro block when you can get a 1/0 to 4awg wire reducer. Ground straight to the frame.