Dev

iTrader: (1)

I'm just installing a system in my car and I'm wondering weather I can get away with 4 guage power/ground wiring or if I need 0 guage.

Right now I'm running some cheap thin 4 guage which I need to exchange for proper 4 guage. I should be running around 7-800 watts with my setup so would it be necessary to get 0 guage?

Also, what are the advantages/disadvantages with using thicker wire?

Cause even with my crappy wire now, everything sounds fine.

Thanks

pgmaniac

iTrader: (2)

Use 0/1 guage. You can always upgrade when using it. It's not neccessary for what you have right now, but still use 0/1!!! Im sure a high number would agree. It's bulky that about the only disadvantage.

Dev

iTrader: (1)

Would 0 guage help my electrical system (battery) or the actual sound output from my sub/amp?

I don't think I'll be upgrading...Im pretty content with what I have now

It's a 1500 watt amp, but the gain is only halfway and I have no intention of sending more than 800 watts.

Pipes

If your amps are big enough to need 0 guage, you're probably going to need a new alternator and battery as well. Serious overkill unless you plan on doing some major SPL like some of the guys on here. Even 'cheap' 4 guage is fine for what you have now. You said yourself everything sounds fine. Here is a handy chart for wire sizes
http://www.bcae1.com/wire.htm
You can read through or just scroll down a bit for the charts.
cheers

Pipes

Just read you second post you made while i answered your first one. You said your amp was 800 watts, now it's 1500 watts. Is that 1500 watts in flashy letters on the outside of the box or 1500 watts rms at 14v? If it is truely 1500 rms then you might look at some 2 guage, they have flattened out wire that is a bit easier to hide too. Even with the gains set at half, you will still be able to use the full output of your amplifier. You might want to read up on 'gain settings'.

[ September 12, 2005, 02:55 AM: Message edited by: Pipes ]

Dev

iTrader: (1)

its an ampman revo 1500.1
i think its capable of over 1500 watts rms
but i have the gain set at half...so its not at full power.

Starterwiz

^^^^yep
You should go with 1/0 and a good ANL fuse holder.
Your amp and subs will thank you (and reward you with more years of use).
There's no such thing as overkill when it comes to 12 volt power transmission.

iDs748

iTrader: (1)

hell ya. i had cheap 2 guage (pretty much a 4 guage) for a 700wrms sysetm. i upgraded to 0 guage and got a huge differnce. I noticed LOUDER bass lol, and less dimming without touching anything else. you can never have to big of a power wire.

Dev

iTrader: (1)

yeah well I dont have a 9V input so I am not getting full power. the input off my alpine deck is only 4V.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I guess I will do 0 guage afterall. However that brings me to a new problem. I have a 1/2" hole in my firewall which just barely has enough room for a 4 guage wiring and like a 16 guage for my deck. (1/2" was the largest bit that could fit in the drill i used). Any suggestions on how to inexpensively make the hole bigger to fit 0 guage?

Also, I have a 150A ANL (flat type) fuse (for under the hood) and an 80A AGU (cylindrical type)fuse just before the amp. Does that sound alright?