Run the power distribution block to trunk or under seat?

[butterMilk 10+ year member]

Im going to run 0 gauge wire to a power distribution block to the amp for my mids and then subs.

mids ( JL xd 400/4) 400w rms ( amp under passenger seat)

subs ( JBL 1200 watts, Grand Touring Series) 787w rms ( amp in trunk)

Should I run 0 gauge to a distribution block in my trunk, so the sub amp has a shorter power cable from the block and the mids amp has a longer cable?

Or should I run the 0 gauge to a power block under my passenger seat, and then distribute from there?

I plan on using 4 gauge from the block to the amps.

I was thinking of putting it under my seat because it would be the shortest run. But I have plenty of 0 gauge so if going to the trunk is the better way I would do that.

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[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

You want to minimize wire length, shorter is better. 1/0 under the seats is tricky in some cars, you don't want the seat rails damaging the cable. I say it depen on available wire routing.

Electrically, either method will work.

What about a dist block with 1/0 in and out, so you basically make a fused tap under the seat, then continue 1/0 to the sub amp?

 

[All_Logix 10+ year member]

K_H_A has a point about the difficulty of getting that size of wire to fit neatly under the seat, but K_H_A IIRC, that JBL amp will not take 1/0 on the power terminal. I would say run it to the trunk just to keep from having to atempt to cover a mass of wire with the seat

 

[CrossoverOre 10+ year member]

why use a d block? just run 1/0 and 4 ga from battery direct. probably will use the same amount of wire either way if you put the d block in the trunk

 

[butterMilk 10+ year member]

Well neither of my amps accept 1/0 gauge wire, but I guess I could get some reducers or something. And my dist block doesn't have a built in fuse, I was just going to fuse it under the hood near my battery, then also fuse on each of the wires after the block.

K_H_A if shortest is best then I think I will try to route it under my seat, but then again its only a few more feet to go the other way.

So you think I should use 1/0 for the whole run, that would be the best?

What if I use 1/0 for the sub amp, and 4 gauge for the smaller mids amp?

It seems that I have ordered a 200amp fuse for the 1/0 wire running to the dist block, and a 250amp fuse for the 1/0 wire running to the alternator for the big 3.

That should be ok?

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

you can reduce 1/0 to fit in the amp terminal. Stinger SPT521

if it fits next to a ground wire is a different story. and these things should be fully insulated with (red or clear) heat shrink after installation.

your fuse sizes are fine.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Best to run to where it can be accessed easily in my opinion/distro block

 

[Sub Woofin 10+ year member]

i'd rather cut up my 4awg than 1/0 wire. but thats just me

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

I'd just do 2 runs. The mids amp really only needs 8 gauge. And the sub amp really only needs 4 gauge. I'd either do that, or this

What about a dist block with 1/0 in and out, so you basically make a fused tap under the seat, then continue 1/0 to the sub amp?