What Size Wiring

[THUNDERBIRD 10+ year member]

i was wondering what gauge wire i should use for my system. i am currently running 4 gauge. running a junky 2 channel 1200 watt legacy pushing 2 infinty 10's and a 640 watt 4 channel kenwood pushing jbl 5.25" compnents in the front and 5x7's in the rear. but i want to dump the legacy and get 2 kenwood 2 channel 800 watt amps pushing 480 watts and 4 ohms bridge to the subs. i was wondering if i can still use my 4 gauge wiring or if i should rewire my car in 2 or 0 gauge. or if i would be fine with the 4 splitting it off to another distrabution block and running a 1.5 farand cap? any help would be appreciated so i can start saving my money so i can do this once winter ends.

Click to read more...

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

You should be fine with the 4 awg. If your worried go ahead and run 1/0, that way you have room for even more in the future. I would advise against the cap though. If you set things up right, including reinforcing your BIG 3, you should be fine.

 

[THUNDERBIRD 10+ year member]

thanks, but i have a few questions? whats the BIG 3? and y do u advise against the cap? plus i am going to be runing 1200 rms and i thought 4 gauge can only handle 800 watts. or can it do more? let me know people help a strugglin college student out

 

[boister77 10+ year member]

the big 3 has been discussed before and can easily be found by searching. depending on the length, 4 ga will vary on how many amps it can safely handle. a shorter run will handle more amps. while a longer run will handle less amps.

 

[THUNDERBIRD 10+ year member]

i am running the cable probly 12 foot. i just dont want to fry my cable. most of u guys know more about what u can do and what u cant do in relation to what the suggested is, i still want to know y i shouldnt run a cap?

 

[pks71 10+ year member]

i am running the cable probly 12 foot. i just dont want to fry my cable. most of u guys know more about what u can do and what u cant do in relation to what the suggested is, i still want to know y i shouldnt run a cap?

Many diff. opinions on running a cap. I use a 40 farad cap. I beleive that it smooths out the power transfer and rewduces the spikes, therefore increasing the life of the alternator. Other people say it just increases the load on the alt. and has no benefits. I have a friend using a 2500D amp and he blew 2 alt. then he got a 20 farad cap and hasn't blown a alt since. Coincidence?? ......I think not. but posible.

 

[pks71 10+ year member]

As far as running wire why not just run big wire? it's cheap (welding wire 2/0 $4/meter cad) and it gives you peace of mind.

 

[THUNDERBIRD 10+ year member]

yeah i just dont really want to rewire my car its an all day thing kuz i am an*l about everything being neat and hiden. I HATE SEEING WIRES! 40 farad cap seems like alot if i got one of them could i stay with my 4gauge?

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

Many diff. opinions on running a cap. I use a 40 farad cap. I beleive that it smooths out the power transfer and rewduces the spikes, therefore increasing the life of the alternator. Other people say it just increases the load on the alt. and has no benefits. I have a friend using a 2500D amp and he blew 2 alt. then he got a 20 farad cap and hasn't blown a alt since. Coincidence?? ......I think not. but posible.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/bsflag.gif.21f42eccd34b7d1eb1608fb1b59b69c3.gif

What else did he do when the cap was installed. There are hundreds of other circumstances that may have led to the alternator going. Such as crappy alts (rebuilt, stock etc.). In the end a Capacitor does only harm the electrical system if it is a stock system. If your alternator is already struggling to power the battery, all of the cars electronics and the stereo.. explain how it is a good idea to add another element into that mess.

To the original poster. Reguardless of if you decide to get a cap or not, you should upgrade your wire based upon the length you're going to run and the power you want to draw.

FYI - caps are a bandaid for a more serious problem... and as you know, if you leave the bandaid on for a long period of time, it will fall off eventually and then you can have an even bigger problem.