Speaker wire question

[kizzo 10+ year member]

Im going to be running about 800-900w @1ohm. im using some "Philips Speaker Wire" from my local big-box hardware store. will this restrict power? what would happen if the wire was too small would the watts just not get there or would the wire just get hot and eventually fail me? i got a ton of 8awg layin around, i could use that but i mean that might be overdoing it, would that hurt?

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[Team Hammer 10+ year member]

I assume its a Mono amp running a bass. If its 800~900w then #8 is what it needs.

 

[Mr Bojangles 10+ year member]

can't go wrong with bigger wire

 

[j3bus2k3 5,000+ posts]

To wire the amp to the battery, use 4awg. To connect the speaker to the amp, use 12awg.

 

[kizzo 10+ year member]

The amp is actually running 1600-2000w @1ohm but i cut it in half cuz its going to two subs. im using 1/0 for the power and ground im just afraid that my 12ga speaker wire isnt gonna be able to handle it.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

yeah I would upgrade. At least to 12 gauge. 10 would be better tho....

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

http://www.bcae1.com/images/swfs/speakerwireselectorassistant.swf

 

[kizzo 10+ year member]

i could just 8awg wire that i used to power one of my amps right?

 

[CBFryman2 5,000+ posts]

YOU DO NOT NEED 8ga FOR THAT SET UP!!!!

12ga will be fine, 10 would be better but I doubt your ear will notice a difference.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

i could just 8awg wire that i used to power one of my amps right?

If you already have it, and you can make it fit go for it.

 

[Team Hammer 10+ year member]

1600w@14.4v = 111amps

Even if you split it at the amp for each speaker thats 55amps. Without going to 2000w. At 2000w@14.4 = 138amps

Like I said #8 is the Min. and since you got some use it.

If the load exceeds the wire ga. Rating, yes it can melt.

 

[kizzo 10+ year member]

Lets say i used 12awg what is going to happen. Are the woofers still going to get all the power? Or is the smaller wire gonna cut the power?

 

[KaeZoo 10+ year member]

1600w@14.4v= 111amps
Even if you split it at the amp for each speaker thats 55amps. Without going to 2000w. At 2000w@14.4= 138amps

Like I said #8 is the Min. and since you got some use it.

If the load exceeds the wire ga. Rating, yes it can melt.

However good your math, your numbers are suspect.

If you're calculating current draw through the power wire, your equation works fine (though you'd still need to factor in the efficiency of the amplifier). But the voltage at the speaker outputs isn't 14.4 volts. Speaker output voltage varies with the output level; it's not the same as battery voltage.

Using the OP's numbers, 2000 watts RMS into a 1-ohm load requires a speaker terminal voltage of about 45 volts. Calculating amperage for one speaker (1000w at 45 volts) gives us a current flow of about 22 amps at maximum output.

Can you imagine what the voice coils would have to look like on a speaker built to handle over 100 amps of current?

 

[KaeZoo 10+ year member]

Lets say i used 12awg what is going to happen. Are the woofers still going to get all the power? Or is the smaller wire gonna cut the power?

How long are your speaker wires?

 

[Supergumby5000 5,000+ posts]

jesus lol, just get some 10guage and call it good! doesnt cost that much more, unless you already have the 12ga sitting around.