Multiple amp question

[JPIKE420]

Hi, sorry for the n00b questions but here they are.

I will soon be purchasing a P99RS head unit. As you know pioneer recommends the setup of having one four channel amp power highs and mids, one four channel amp bridged to two channels to power the woofers, and one mono amp to power subs. I figure this will draw a good deal of current and since I don't want to start a damned fire I thought this would be the best place to get help.

A little bit about the setup, the two 4x amps have 8 gauge power and ground in/outputs while the mono amp "requires" 1/0 gauge power and ground in/outputs. How best should I wire up these amps from the battery? Should I use one 1/0 power cable to power the mono amp and then use another 1/0 power cable and split it at a distribution block to power the 4x amps?

Or, could I run only one 1/0 cable and split it at a 4 way distribution block, run two 8 ga. leads to the 4x amps and then two 8ga. leads to the power input on the mono amp?

I know that most install "kits" are rated in watts, but isn't current the important factor here? How do I tell how much current three amps will draw and then how do I select the appropriate wire(s) and fuse(s)?

I could drop down a level on the amp and go with on that uses 8 or 4ga. inputs I suppose. That might make my life a little bit easier and safer.

Next question relates to speaker wire. How do I tell how much "power" or current speaker wire can handle? I ask because I will be buying two 10" 4 Ohm subs and would like to wire them in parallel. All the boxes that I find have two terminal cups and I was told there are two ways to wire the subs in parallel with this setup. I could 1) Wire the positive on both cups to the positive on the amp and the negative on both cups to the negative on the amp or 2) Wire + from amp to + on cup A, - on cup A to - on cup B, - on cup B to - on amp. I am told that the second method is preferred, but that the wire must be able to carry more current. Again, I don't want to start a fire so how do I select the right size speaker wire?

Again sorry for the newb questions, but I figure safety should come first....

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[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

Single 1/0 run and split up is best. Do 2 8awg and 1 4awg split. It also depends on what amps you have in mind.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

Distro block. To split for 8 g and 0 g wires fit the amp question is why a pair if 4 channel amps ? Why not 1. 4 Chanel a 2 channel and a mono block The 4 channel for Mids and highs the 2 channel for mid woofers and mono for subs

 

[yogegoy]

Or you can use a reducer from 1/0

 

[CrossoverOre 10+ year member]

wire each sub to its own term cup. Then run wires from each cup and connect parallel at the amp.

what kind of vehicle and what amps are you using? Might want to contemplate aux batt. That way you run 0ga to battery then split from the battery to each amp. This also kinda depends on what amps you are using and what the stock electrical is capable of handling.

 

[JPIKE420]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll be running some pioneer amps, a 50 X 4, a 100 X 2, and a 600 x 1 in an 09 kia rio. I have one more question regarding fusing. How do I tell how many amps the fuse at the battery should be rated for? Someone told me that you can add up the numbers on the fuses in the amps and that will give you a good idea. I also found an article on crutchfield.com that said "multiply the power all your amps consume by 2 then divide by 13.8" so I did this and it comes out to be around 144 I think. So I went to buy some wire and when the guy asked me "how much current do you think your system will draw?" I said "about 150" and he laughed at me and said that was impossible off of 12v. So how do I figure out how much current an amplifier draws?

I know that P=I*E so 200 + 200 + 600 = 1000w, then 1000=I*14.4 = 69A, is that correct?

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll be running some pioneer amps, a 50 X 4, a 100 X 2, and a 600 x 1 in an 09 kia rio. I have one more question regarding fusing. How do I tell how many amps the fuse at the battery should be rated for? Someone told me that you can add up the numbers on the fuses in the amps and that will give you a good idea. I also found an article on crutchfield.com that said "multiply the power all your amps consume by 2 then divide by 13.8" so I did this and it comes out to be around 144 I think. So I went to buy some wire and when the guy asked me "how much current do you think your system will draw?" I said "about 150" and he laughed at me and said that was impossible off of 12v. So how do I figure out how much current an amplifier draws?
I know that P=I*E so 200 + 200 + 600 = 1000w, then 1000=I*14.4 = 69A, is that correct?

I think you should be fine running 1k off the stock electrical. I ran over 3k on my first system and was fine (wouldn't recomend it though). Also, I think you forgot to factor amplifier efficiency into your equation. I could be wrong though. I would do a single run of zero, then split it with a fused distribuition block. Each amp would then have its own fuse.