what gauge power wires to use on my amps

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03-20-2003, 08:41 PM

max1ma97se

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what gauge power wires to use on my amps

well currently i have a alpine 4 channel amp pushing 90x4 to my compnents running off of 8 gauge power wire, but i just bought a 400 watt rms / 800 peak pioneer amp to power my sub and using 4 guage wire for that. should i keep both the 4 and 8 guage or do you guys think i can run both off the single 4 gauge with a distribution block?

03-20-2003, 09:10 PM

KiLLeR2002se

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i would do a distribution block.
what 4 channel do u have? the mrv m540?

Becuase to my recollection, Alpine amps other than the powerful mono amps dont support 4 gauge.

Put in the max the amp can hold. And remember, same gauge power and grounds.

03-20-2003, 09:13 PM

max1ma97se

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i got the m540 also, with all the bass turn. the pionner amp has 4 gauge imput

03-20-2003, 09:36 PM

KiLLeR2002se

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keep the 540 at 8, since you cant put anymore..and have the pioneer at 4..get a distribution block......

03-20-2003, 10:25 PM

kingrukus

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Run the 4 guage to a distro...then for a short distance use 8 guage into each amp.

03-20-2003, 10:43 PM

jmax

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My alpine can accept 4 gauge. It's a simple matter of purchaseing a 4 gauge crimp connector with 1/4 inch barrier strip spade. I would use at least 2 gauge to a dist block for that pair of amps. But that's only if I new 100% that I would never upgrade. Knowing that is impossible, I would use 1/0 or thicker.

03-20-2003, 10:52 PM

max1ma97se

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i think i just might run both wires b/c sooner or later ill upgrade than just do 0 gauge, knowing that i already order the 4 gau kit and too poor to afford 0 gauge right now

03-20-2003, 11:31 PM

jmax

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Quote:

Originally posted by max1ma97se
i think i just might run both wires b/c sooner or later ill upgrade than just do 0 gauge, knowing that i already order the 4 gau kit and too poor to afford 0 gauge right now

Go to a local welding shop before you say you are too poor for better wire. The 0 gauge will carry over twice the load of the combined 4 and 8 gauge wires with minimal voltage drop. With only one wire to run under you carpet and through the firewall. The 8 gauge wire you are using for the Alpine is too small for that wire length.

03-22-2003, 05:16 PM

sagamax

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Quote:

Originally posted by kingrukus
Run the 4 guage to a distro...then for a short distance use 8 guage into each amp.

03-23-2003, 04:34 AM

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jmax

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max1ma97se is already above the current limits of 4 gauge with the two amps he has and the length of wire needed to get to the amps from the battery.

90X4 + 400 = 760 RMS (watts to speakers)
760 X 2 = 1520 watts (50% class AB efficiency)
1520 watts / 12.5 volts = 122 amps