What wire gauge?

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

For the fact that I just want to buy once and try to plan ahead I'm trying to figure out what wire gauge I should use for when I do my big 3. The final setup is going to include (2) SS Rubicon 2500D's, and (1) SS Rubicon 2.600. That's roughly 5,500 watts, and assuming I'm running at battery voltage (12.8) that's 430A. This setup is going to be for music so I highly doubt I'll ever actually be pulling 430A.

For the wire itself I'll be using welding cable from weldingsupply.com . I'm thinking 2/0 will do the job since it's very short runs but I've never ran large wire gauges so I'm not exactly sure how much each gauge will handle.

Click to read more...

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

I would think 1/0 would be fine for most anything

The orange extra/flex stuff from them is good quality wire though... I've been using that for years.

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

I was going to use just the standard black wiring I figured I'd leave it looking as stock under the hood as possible.

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

My 2/0 is rated at 450 amps at 50 feet...

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

The orange stuff has a way higher thread count and is much nicer to work with. Still their regular black stuff is solid. When I bought I got the orange for + and the black for -. In retrospect the orange is just far nicer and if I were to do it over again I'd have just bought all that.

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

The orange stuff has a way higher thread count and is much nicer to work with. Still their regular black stuff is solid. When I bought I got the orange for + and the black for -. In retrospect the orange is just far nicer and if I were to do it over again I'd have just bought all that.

Just make sure if you get in a wreck they dont cut it cuz orange is the power wire color in new hybrids so they cut it when they see it under the hood during a wreck lol

 

[elancohen92 10+ year member]

Well, the bigger the wire the more current can flow. I would use 4/0, IMO

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

Well, the bigger the wire the more current can flow. I would use 4/0, IMO

4/0 is way too big for what I'm gonna be running, plus I'm not paying $6/ft

 

[05trailblazer 10+ year member]

^^^ so where are you going to buy your wire from??

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

^^^ so where are you going to buy your wire from??

 

[05trailblazer 10+ year member]

company??^^ what brand of wire ect..

 

[elancohen92 10+ year member]

4/0 is way too big for what I'm gonna be running, plus I'm not paying $6/ft

How is it too big? no such thing

 

[jolly_26 10+ year member]

How is it too big? no such thing

I think he means it's just a bit unnecessary. Like putting a drag racing fuel pump on a Kia or something

EDIT: sorry didn't actually notice you drive a Kia

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

I think he means it's just a bit unnecessary. Like putting a drag racing fuel pump on a Kia or something
EDIT: sorry didn't actually notice you drive a Kia

lmao

 

[martiandancer31 10+ year member]

2/0 will be fine.