Amp Wiring question
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Le Mans Master
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Amp Wiring question
Hi Guys, figured this would be the right place to ask. I think I know the answer but I'm curious to see if maybe theirs an easier way. My current 4 channel amp that's driving my components is wired up on a fused 8 gauge kit from the positive post on the fusebox. I'm getting ready to install one of those sub/amp combos as well so ittl be an additional amp. Would I be better off to run it its own dedicated power through its own fuse or could I put in a distribution block and split the 8 gauge wire before both amps and power them both off of that? If not would the solution be to go to a 4 gauge and do that or would it be better to run 2 8 gauge wires, one for each amp?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
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From: New Brunswick, Canada
Hi Guys, figured this would be the right place to ask. I think I know the answer but I'm curious to see if maybe theirs an easier way. My current 4 channel amp that's driving my components is wired up on a fused 8 gauge kit from the positive post on the fusebox. I'm getting ready to install one of those sub/amp combos as well so ittl be an additional amp. Would I be better off to run it its own dedicated power through its own fuse or could I put in a distribution block and split the 8 gauge wire before both amps and power them both off of that? If not would the solution be to go to a 4 gauge and do that or would it be better to run 2 8 gauge wires, one for each amp?
You can usually figure out the current draw of your system by adding up the fuse sizes of all of your components.
For example, if you have two amplifiers that have fuses of 40 amps and 30 amps then you'll need a power wire capable of carrying 70 amps. Determine the distance from your battery to your amplifier mounting location. Make sure you account for any bends and turns in the wire. This is not an exact science but try to get it close. If this distance is 15 feet then you look at the chart and find where the 70 amp row and the 15 foot column intersect. In this example we get 2 gauge wire.
The IASCA wire chart tends to run a bit on the generous side.
