Wiring 3 amps: anyone know how to do it on 4 gauge?

[alec14 10+ year member]

I've got 4 gauge running in my car right now, and plan on running 2 sub amps, and a 4 channel for speakers. My only problem is that i'm not sure if my system can handle it, and how/where to get a distro block that puts in one 4 and gets three 8 out. any help?

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[knightsdaze 10+ year member]

I've got 4 gauge running in my car right now, and plan on running 2 sub amps, and a 4 channel for speakers. My only problem is that i'm not sure if my system can handle it, and how/where to get a distro block that puts in one 4 and gets three 8 out. any help?

You didnt say what the RMS of the system is gonna be, but based on the fact that you said 2 sub amps and a 4 channel, youre gonna need far more than a 4 gauge to a distro block bro.. Sketch out on paper what your setup is gonna look like.(power/grnd wire routing, speaker and sub wiring, fuses etc etc). Do the math to calculate what you'll require to power it properly. Also I strongly suggest that you take a look at the sticky that keep_hope_alive has in the help 101 car audio reference database. There's tons of links to help you research f.a.q..

 

[pickup1 5,000+ posts]

upgrade to 1/0 first!

 

[alec14 10+ year member]

haha, okay, thanks. the total rms for subs is about 1600, and for speakers the total is like under 150. i just figured some knu 4 gauge could handle it

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

No you will need 1/0ga. Do you already have all the amps? Just wondering why you are doing two amps for only 1600W. One will get you by for probably less money and a lot less headaches for that amount of power.

 

[BloodyGuts335i 10+ year member]

upgrade to 1/0 first!

This!!!!

 

[alec14 10+ year member]

No you will need 1/0ga. Do you already have all the amps? Just wondering why you are doing two amps for only 1600W. One will get you by for probably less money and a lot less headaches for that amount of power.

yeah, i already have the amps. i'd sell them and buy one really good powerful one, but i'm kind of attached (both are good amps, and came from first system). could i run just 2 with 4 gauge? i'd run both sub amps, no 4 channel

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

yeah, i already have the amps. i'd sell them and buy one really good powerful one, but i'm kind of attached (both are good amps, and came from first system). could i run just 2 with 4 gauge? i'd run both sub amps, no 4 channel

You might be able to get away with it, but if it was my vehicle, I would not. Just run some 1/0ga. Then you'll be able to put the 4 channel in anyway, which you want.

 

[alec14 10+ year member]

You might be able to get away with it, but if it was my vehicle, I would not. Just run some 1/0ga. Then you'll be able to put the 4 channel in anyway, which you want.

okay, thanks. would that start to drain the battery?

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

actually if you 4 gauge is a good ofc wire then you should be ok on 1750 watts rms depending on what amps they are ,but you might be pushing it ,wouldnt do it myself but you'll prolly never listen at full tilt too.i can sell you the distro block if you want .0 gauge would be best if you plan on upgrading down the road.so you might wanna thing it over a bit.

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

If properly wired, no. That's why you have a remote turn-on lead. Only thing that would risk draining your battery is a bad alternator.

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

okay, thanks. would that start to drain the battery?

You mean when the engine is off? You should not have battery drain when the engine is off if everything is wired up correctly to the remote turn-on lead from the head unit, regardless of the size of wire used.

 

[alec14 10+ year member]

You mean when the engine is off? You should not have battery drain when the engine is off if everything is wired up correctly to the remote turn-on lead from the head unit, regardless of the size of wire used.

no, i meant like when the amp is pulling power. wouldn't it start to drain the battery?

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

We're talking about a car, not a dollar store flashlight. The purpose of your alternator is to take the mechanical energy of your engine and convert it to electrical power for distribution to the rest of your system. Battery included. That's why a weak alternator could potentially cause your battery to completely discharge. Not the gauge of your wire.

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

no, i meant like when the amp is pulling power. wouldn't it start to drain the battery?

Your amp is going to be pulling the same power, regardless of wire size used. The 4ga might not allow full power to come across the wire, choking your amps, and heating the wire, possibly starting a fire. Like mylows said, you might be ok with 4ga, but if you plan on doing anything more than what you have right now, just run 1/0ga. I suggest reading around on here if you don't know exactly how electricity flows and is allocated in your car, a week's worth of reading and learning will help in the long run. And mylows will be able to hook you up with some equipment, he's a good dude to deal with.