Hi guys.
I have been researching installation info on here, and am uncertain as to what to chose for cable. Much of the info on here is related to SPL audio set-ups, where high current is required. In my case I have limited power needs for my SQ system, so cabling may not need to be so large. Lots of choices, so I need some of your experience.
I have two amps to power, both of which will be mounted about 17ft (cable length) from the main battery. Alt and battery cables are all upgraded.
Amps are as follows:
Alpine MRD-M501. 550 watts RMS at 2 ohms. Fused at 60 amps.
Boston GT-4100. 400 watts RMS at 4 ohms. Fused at 80 amps.
I have two 4 ohm SVC subs (Alpine 6081 8" subs) to run off the Alpine, so from what I can see the amp will run at 2 ohms. Please correct me if this is wrong.
As I am only interested in sound quality, and do not drive the subs very hard, I doubt either of these amps will ever run at full output.
Wiring guides for both amps state 4 gauge wire is suitable, however the Boston has two terminals for power and earth. I am guessing what they want you to do is two runs of 4 gauge, rather than one or two runs of 8 gauge, but this is only a guess. The Alpine only has one power and earth terminal.
My plan was to run a single cable from the battery to a distribution block, and then one run of 4 gauge to the Alpine and two runs of 4 gauge to the Boston. Earths will be run direct from the amps to the chassis, possibly via another distribution block.
What size does the main cable to the distribution block need to be? Do I need 0 gauge to help with voltage drop at that cable length or can I use smaller cable?
What brand of cable and distribution blocks do you guys recommend?
Thanks for the help.
I have been researching installation info on here, and am uncertain as to what to chose for cable. Much of the info on here is related to SPL audio set-ups, where high current is required. In my case I have limited power needs for my SQ system, so cabling may not need to be so large. Lots of choices, so I need some of your experience.
I have two amps to power, both of which will be mounted about 17ft (cable length) from the main battery. Alt and battery cables are all upgraded.
Amps are as follows:
Alpine MRD-M501. 550 watts RMS at 2 ohms. Fused at 60 amps.
Boston GT-4100. 400 watts RMS at 4 ohms. Fused at 80 amps.
I have two 4 ohm SVC subs (Alpine 6081 8" subs) to run off the Alpine, so from what I can see the amp will run at 2 ohms. Please correct me if this is wrong.
As I am only interested in sound quality, and do not drive the subs very hard, I doubt either of these amps will ever run at full output.
Wiring guides for both amps state 4 gauge wire is suitable, however the Boston has two terminals for power and earth. I am guessing what they want you to do is two runs of 4 gauge, rather than one or two runs of 8 gauge, but this is only a guess. The Alpine only has one power and earth terminal.
My plan was to run a single cable from the battery to a distribution block, and then one run of 4 gauge to the Alpine and two runs of 4 gauge to the Boston. Earths will be run direct from the amps to the chassis, possibly via another distribution block.
What size does the main cable to the distribution block need to be? Do I need 0 gauge to help with voltage drop at that cable length or can I use smaller cable?
What brand of cable and distribution blocks do you guys recommend?
Thanks for the help.