hi. i'm about to take on a project installing a stereo in a friends boat. my only question is about grounding.
i'm installing a cd player, 4-6 speakers, small sub, and two small amps (w/ no more than 50-70 amps of current draw). i know grounds aren't supposed to be more than 1.5 ft. long, which is were the problem comes in. the battery(s) in this boat are in the back by the engines. i would like to just put the amps there and run long speaker wires, but i'm not getting waterproof amps (so that i have more, and cheaper, choices) so i would be worried about them getting wet. also, the cd player will be up by the steering wheel anyway. ideally, i would like to put the amps there as well.
is there anyway to get a good enough ground about 15 ft. away from the battery? i can only think of running an extra large ground wire, and then splitting it to the amps and cd player. i hope someone out there can help me.
-Ian-
Replies (5)
ttocs on 04/19/2004 11:54:56
there will be no issues if you ground to the battery. It is your only choice.
cybersailor420 on 04/19/2004 12:00:24
i am only gonna use #8 for the power/ground going into these amps. do you think i should run a #4 or larger from the amp to a distribution block near the amps? i am just thinking that the bigger wire will allow a more efficient transfer of current to and from the battery, since it will be at least 15 ft. away. thank you so much.
-Ian-
cybersailor420 on 04/20/2004 02:12:22
anyone have any ideas about my last question above? i need to order this stuff today, and i'm trying to figure out what wiring scheme to go with. thanx alot.
-Ian-
uochronos on 04/20/2004 02:28:35
yes bigger is always better i would say run samesize as your power wire or 1 size bigger just to be on safe side.
swez on 04/20/2004 07:48:38
The power wire you use for the amps should be sized to fit the current draw of the amps you choose. A #8 is rated for 50A. If you go for larger wire (#4) that will handle 100A and less resistance over the distance of the run.
A 15 foot power/ground line kit is not a problem if you go for #4 gage wiring.
Swez
i'm installing a cd player, 4-6 speakers, small sub, and two small amps (w/ no more than 50-70 amps of current draw). i know grounds aren't supposed to be more than 1.5 ft. long, which is were the problem comes in. the battery(s) in this boat are in the back by the engines. i would like to just put the amps there and run long speaker wires, but i'm not getting waterproof amps (so that i have more, and cheaper, choices) so i would be worried about them getting wet. also, the cd player will be up by the steering wheel anyway. ideally, i would like to put the amps there as well.
is there anyway to get a good enough ground about 15 ft. away from the battery? i can only think of running an extra large ground wire, and then splitting it to the amps and cd player. i hope someone out there can help me.
-Ian-
Replies (5)
ttocs on 04/19/2004 11:54:56
there will be no issues if you ground to the battery. It is your only choice.
cybersailor420 on 04/19/2004 12:00:24
i am only gonna use #8 for the power/ground going into these amps. do you think i should run a #4 or larger from the amp to a distribution block near the amps? i am just thinking that the bigger wire will allow a more efficient transfer of current to and from the battery, since it will be at least 15 ft. away. thank you so much.
-Ian-
cybersailor420 on 04/20/2004 02:12:22
anyone have any ideas about my last question above? i need to order this stuff today, and i'm trying to figure out what wiring scheme to go with. thanx alot.
-Ian-
uochronos on 04/20/2004 02:28:35
yes bigger is always better i would say run samesize as your power wire or 1 size bigger just to be on safe side.
swez on 04/20/2004 07:48:38
The power wire you use for the amps should be sized to fit the current draw of the amps you choose. A #8 is rated for 50A. If you go for larger wire (#4) that will handle 100A and less resistance over the distance of the run.
A 15 foot power/ground line kit is not a problem if you go for #4 gage wiring.
Swez
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