How are you guys that are running 0/1 guage wires connecting into your amps?? I'm having a hard time running a 4 guage wire into my Rockford Fosgate 501s amp. Manual says it requires a 8 guage wire so I had to trim mine down but I hate the bear wires that hang loose when I install/remove the amp. Sparks are not my best friend.

It's fine when it's in there, just want something to make it neater. The input is a hole where you feed the bare wire in and tighen the top down with a hex screw so those O-connecters won't work.

To me, I think it was just a poor design of the power and neg being so close
Pic of amp:

 

Rockfords are always a pain. Get a reducer.

 

all you can really do properly is get a reducer, or run your power through a distro block, a 4 awg in 8 awg out.

if you're planning on ever running 2 amps though, might as well get a block.

 

Why run 1/0 if your amp won't accept it? Do you have multiple amps? The Maxima is not that long of a vehicle. You should not see enough voltage drop to notice a difference between 4 and 1/0 unless you have several high-draw amps.

 

^^^
From the amps I've used they usually throw the remote connect in betweeen the pos and gnd. Just get disro block for now. Also when connecting the amps hook up your wires first with the fuse out and then put in the fuse so you don't have to worry about getting sparked. Safety first

 

I do have a distro block since I am running two amps (1500 watt Rockford Fosgate and 1000 watt Sony Xplod). One for subs, one for speakers. But since I only have 4 gauge wires when installed, it's (1) 4 gauge in, and (3) 4 gauge out on my distro block. One to each amp, and one to the capacitor. There is an inline fuse connected as well and I take the fuse out but it's the cap that still has some power in it giving the sparks.

I always thought bigger = better so I tried to keep the constant 4 gauge wiring throughout. If it doesn't make that much of a voltage drop, then I'll just get a 8 gauge wire, about 2 feet or so from the distro block and connect that to the amp instead. I'll also look into that reducer as well. Looks like that's the missing piece I was looking for.

Thanks guys for the input!

 

Other opinions may vary, but I would say that (1) those wattage #s are MAX, not constant. You need to look up the current draw for each amp, add them up, and use wire based on the total current draw and the length of the wire run. (2) I would say that the cap is probably unnecessary. Use that 0 gauge to do the Big 3 and I would say that you will be just as happy.
(3), I would say that 8 gauge is most likely enough to run either of those amps. Check the amperage draws and post here and we can advise you better. Even posting the model #s would help. (Edit- I see that one is a 501S- which draws 50A- so we only need to know what the Sony amp draws).

 

you can go ahead and run shorter runs of 8 gauge from the distroblock to the amps. i basically have the same setup. i got 4 gauge to the block, then have two 8 gauge going to each of my amps.

 

Everything is sounding pretty good. I DO plan on doing the big 3 in the summer or even spring break. Possibly a simple grounding kit since it's basically the same thing. The cap was noticeable through my headlights dimming not as much as before but I understand the big 3 would prevent this as well.

The Sony Xplod amp model number is XM-2165TX. It's just something I'm running right now until I find a four channel amp that allows better filtering and what nots.

Once again, thanks guys!

 

my Rockford T20001bd takes 1/0 in so i have no problems

 

Not the same thing. Grounding kit does not upgrade the positive wire from the batt to alt, which will help a lot with the dimming.

 

Would the 8-gauge be enough for the two amps?
Rockford Fosgate 501s
Sony Xplod XM-2165TX

-Thanks

 

I meant to say I plan on installing a grounding kit as well as the big 3 upgrade and installing it is basically the same (for the most part, minus the Positive wire).