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<blockquote data-quote="audioholic" data-source="post: 6958536" data-attributes="member: 549629">The process for determining this is fairly simple.amps = watts / volts.Knowing exact voltage (averaged over time) will be difficult. I go with (almost) worst case scenario and use batt voltage, 12.8v, and do the math.Watts will need to be adjusted to factor in for amplifier efficiency. A good general efficiency to use is 80%. So 600 watts x 1.2 = 720 watts.So amps = 720 / 12.8, 56.25 amps. Round that up to 60 amps to account for possible (slight) clipping, and consult a 12v wire sizing chart.Knowing your max amperage we just calculated, and the run length in feet, the chart will tell you the recommended wire size in AWG.With a max of around 60 amps of current pull, a wire sizing chart suggests with a run of 3 to 5 feet you could run as small as 12 or 14 gauge iirc. A 10 gauge amp wire kit would be fine, but Im anal about wiring and Id probably just use the more standard 8ga wire.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="audioholic, post: 6958536, member: 549629"] The process for determining this is fairly simple. amps = watts / volts. Knowing exact voltage (averaged over time) will be difficult. I go with (almost) worst case scenario and use batt voltage, 12.8v, and do the math. Watts will need to be adjusted to factor in for amplifier efficiency. A good general efficiency to use is 80%. So 600 watts x 1.2 = 720 watts. So amps = 720 / 12.8, 56.25 amps. Round that up to 60 amps to account for possible (slight) clipping, and consult a 12v wire sizing chart. Knowing your max amperage we just calculated, and the run length in feet, the chart will tell you the recommended wire size in AWG. With a max of around 60 amps of current pull, a wire sizing chart suggests with a run of 3 to 5 feet you could run as small as 12 or 14 gauge iirc. A 10 gauge amp wire kit would be fine, but Im anal about wiring and Id probably just use the more standard 8ga wire. [/QUOTE]

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