what gauge wire
 

im installing my 1st system in my truck today and im wondering what gauge wire should i be running from my amp to my box? and what gauge wire should i be running from the sub to the connecter cup on the inside of the box?

the wireing kit i got for the sub is 8 gauge do i run that from the amp to the sub or just regular speaker wire? and do i run 8 gauge in the box or regular speaker wire?

Run the same size wire in the box as you would run between your amp and box.
This 8 gauge kit, more then likely has an 8 gauge power wire and a 14-16 gauge speaker wire. 8 gauge speaker wire would be kind of massive.

Yeah, 8 awg is very big for speaker wire, but if you have it, use it. otherwise, 14 awg always seems to be a good size for speaker wires particularly subs in normal(non spl) systems.

one thing though, are you sure your amp kit is large enough to supply the amp with the power it needs? this wasn't mentioned, (power rating for amp) so I would also make sure that is sufficient asd well.

Mark

the guy at the store sold me the amp sub and wireing kit so it should be the right one, iv been looking around and all i can find is 16G wire! iv looked at a number of stores too.

home depot, radio shack, rona, wal mart, canadian tire and just about any car audio or electronics shop should have at least 14 awg.

12 or 10 is what I have allways used.

we use 8 guage for speaker wire.....is that wrong....is there such thing as over kill......should i take a few batteries out....lol....just kidding.....i feel funny hearing guys say that 8 guage is over kill. i wish i could do thicker. but seriously. 12 guage or 14 is ok for a normal system. we are overkill but there are those that use 8 guage for extreme installs.


most speakers will not accept 8 gauge anyways....and it takes a particular speaker to accept 8 gauge. it is better to use what is intended for the speaker you have.

i dont know anything about this stuff but i saw it on ebay and its hell of alot cheaper than what shops charge most shops want about 1.00/ foot

http://cgi.ebay.ca/12-Gauge-TWISTED-Speaker-Wire-FAST-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ270165665319QQihZ017QQcategoryZ1 4980QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or this one is good too:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Speaker-wire-16-Guage-Twisted-Pair-150-Ft_W0QQitemZ270166502944QQihZ017QQcategoryZ32811QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



i am considering picking up the 12guage stuff and doin my car with it.

i acquired regular 14awg wire from my dads shop. its not speaker wire but its good quality wire. is there a difference in the shielding between regular wire and speaker wire? i haven't installed my front components yet but i want to know if i should be going out and buying actual speaker wire instead. thanks in advance.