Amp wire gauge
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Amp wire gauge
I installed a Profile 4 channel amp with 80x2 @ 4 ohms going to 5 1/4" Infinity Kappa components and 225x1 @ 4 ohms going to the sub.
Is an 8 gauge power wire ok to use since the total watts are only 305?
I'm asking this because every once in awhile, while exiting off the freeway off ramp, the audio will cut out very briefly (voltage needle will move back slightly and return to the normal position) and I was wondering if the weak link was the 8 gauge power wire or the stock 105 amp alternator.
The stereo plays fine when listening to it from just the car battery.
I thought an 8 gauge power wire should be good for amps up to 500 watts. I suspect my alternator might be the weak link but, wanted to get other opinions before spending any money. Thanks
Is an 8 gauge power wire ok to use since the total watts are only 305?
I'm asking this because every once in awhile, while exiting off the freeway off ramp, the audio will cut out very briefly (voltage needle will move back slightly and return to the normal position) and I was wondering if the weak link was the 8 gauge power wire or the stock 105 amp alternator.
The stereo plays fine when listening to it from just the car battery.
I thought an 8 gauge power wire should be good for amps up to 500 watts. I suspect my alternator might be the weak link but, wanted to get other opinions before spending any money. Thanks
Last edited by GKK; Aug 28, 2006 at 03:08 AM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
The battery is a two year old AC Delco. I connected the 8 gauge ground wire from the back of the amp in the cargo area, to the frame about a two foot length.
This is on my "91" C4. Thanks
This is on my "91" C4. Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
Your altenator is not the weak link. A bad connection on a ground maybe. If you haven't done the "big three" now is the time. How old is the battery?
OP:
Wire gauge is definitely not your problem.
I notice you live in Sacramento... If you aren't familiar with grounding in a c4 or need a little help send me a PM. I live in Roseville and would be happy to help.
Autozone can test your charging system.
fwiw, I ran 500+ watts on an 86 with no problems.
Last edited by Kale; Aug 28, 2006 at 10:38 AM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
I read in the C4 audio sticky about a "Power Radio Antenna Module" but, didn't think that had anything to do with the slight audio glitch I was experiencing.
Kale, where did you connect the ground wire when you had your C4?
I sent you a PM. Thanks
Kale, where did you connect the ground wire when you had your C4?
I sent you a PM. Thanks
Last edited by GKK; Aug 28, 2006 at 11:18 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Yeah Kale I did. I was thinking since it was a Profile the wattage rating was probably high compared to what the amp actually produces at 12.5 volts. I also agree on that the 8 guage should be fine for the amp.
If I was in his shoes I would definitely do the "big three" with 4 guage. It is not that expensive for the few feet of wire 4-guage required to do the "big three". The car is 15 years old and the main wiring probably reflects that.
GKK,
Your car looks awesome for being 15 years old
If I was in his shoes I would definitely do the "big three" with 4 guage. It is not that expensive for the few feet of wire 4-guage required to do the "big three". The car is 15 years old and the main wiring probably reflects that.
GKK,
Your car looks awesome for being 15 years old
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Thanks for the compliment.
So, you think the problem is the amp itself?
I did have a 350 watt Kenwood amp installed in an "89" Vette awhile ago and using 10 gauge for the power wire it had no audio problems.
The amp is a Profile AP1040 4 channel. It's rated at 14.4 volts so, it is putting out less at 12 volts which is why I didn't think it needed 4 gauge wire.
The charging system is perfect, Battery voltage is good, Audio system never glitches when playing straight from the battery, the ground cable is bolted securely to the sanded frame... If the alternator is not the culprit, I'll look into getting another amp to try. what would you suggest for a similar 4 channel amp? Also, I know the "Big 3" is a C5 thing but, the pictures wouldn't show in the C5 audio FAQ link and I didn't understand the specifics of running the ground and power wires.
Heres a picture of the amp.
So, you think the problem is the amp itself?
I did have a 350 watt Kenwood amp installed in an "89" Vette awhile ago and using 10 gauge for the power wire it had no audio problems.
The amp is a Profile AP1040 4 channel. It's rated at 14.4 volts so, it is putting out less at 12 volts which is why I didn't think it needed 4 gauge wire.
The charging system is perfect, Battery voltage is good, Audio system never glitches when playing straight from the battery, the ground cable is bolted securely to the sanded frame... If the alternator is not the culprit, I'll look into getting another amp to try. what would you suggest for a similar 4 channel amp? Also, I know the "Big 3" is a C5 thing but, the pictures wouldn't show in the C5 audio FAQ link and I didn't understand the specifics of running the ground and power wires.
Heres a picture of the amp.
Last edited by GKK; Aug 28, 2006 at 05:02 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
I would have no idea that your amp is bad but I doubt it the way you started this post. I think this will do wonders for your car. You can also make your own.
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/pro...roducts_id=164
http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/...TID=73496&PN=1
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/pro...roducts_id=164
http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/...TID=73496&PN=1
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by Kale
Do you see 14v a lot when stopped? (engine running) Does the voltage fluctuate?
Also, if you turn everything else off (AC) does the amp still cut out? What if its playing at a lower volume?
Also, if you turn everything else off (AC) does the amp still cut out? What if its playing at a lower volume?
For everyone else, I did a test drive and found that with the AC on high (I use the AC daily) and moving both power windows up or down the audio dropped out briefly everytime.
If I revved the engine to 1500 rpm and moved the power windows up and down and turned the AC on and off, the audio never cut out.
Alternator voltage is 14 volts and battery voltage is 13.8 engine running. Engine off battery voltage is 13.8 volts.
I think the stock alternator is a little over worked. Thanks knewblewkorvette for the link. I'm going to upgrade the wires since I have to upgrade the alternator wire to a 4 gauge with the new high output 160 amp from www.motorcityreman.com I'm looking at right now.
Thanks everyone.
Last edited by GKK; Aug 28, 2006 at 05:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
I just went out and checked the battery voltage again, this time it's 12.62. The first time I checked the battery voltage was immediately after I shut the engine off, maybe I should've waited a minute or so.
Edit: went outside to check the voltage from the amp and it was 13.9-14.1. I also, started the engine, played the stereo a little and shut the engine off and the battery voltage was 12.8.
Edit: went outside to check the voltage from the amp and it was 13.9-14.1. I also, started the engine, played the stereo a little and shut the engine off and the battery voltage was 12.8.
Last edited by GKK; Aug 28, 2006 at 06:46 PM.
