I am about to install a JBL 600.1 amplifier. It draws a maximum of 57 amps of current. Will an 8awg wiring kit be enough to transfer the power this amp needs without over-heating the wire? Given it has plenty of power from the battery (optima red top).
Replies (7)
Relax_The_Mind on 07/2/2003 06:29:09
Technically speaking 8awg would be fine for normal use. 8awg is good up to ~65amps MAX (+/- isulation and copper quality). Meaning unless you have a long 32hz note playing at max volume the whole time you should go with the 4awg.
In my opinion no...For that particular amp and most amps above 500 I would go with nothing less than 4awg power and ground wire. I usually only use 8awg for 500peak and less. It also leaves lost of headroom if you ever wanted to upgrade your amp. (which is common).
RTM
Swez on 07/2/2003 07:54:43
Agreed... #8 is not adequate for that amp and any amps you may add later, would have to rewire anyway... so use #4 now and have room for expansion later.
Swez SMILE
Tray on 07/2/2003 08:50:23
Typically the manufacturer will let you know what size wire you should use, simply by the connection point. If your amp accepts 4 AWG input, it's usually best to use it.
And true, it's always nice to not need to re-run wires if you decide to upgrade next week, in a month, or in a year when you feel you need more.
johndavid400 on 07/2/2003 17:27:34
Well, upgrading is not a concern here... seeing as how I am actually downgrading. I just sold my jbl 1200.1 and bought the 600.1 (I know it sounds crazy). I was actually debating whether or not to even put any sound system in at all. So, aside from the topic of later upgrades, would 8awg be sufficient if the amp is never pushed hard (it will only be hooked up to 1 pioneer premier 400w rms 10" sub). Also, the 600.1 comes with a power connector that accepts either 8awg or 4awg (this is the only reason I was even asking...why would it accept 8awg if it were too small to sufficiently power the amp, right?). anyways, thanks for the input
Relax_The_Mind on 07/2/2003 17:33:38
Well in that case... Yes 8awg is sufficient. No heat problems either as that would only arise from continuous max current draw which that amp couldnt do anyways.
RTM
Swez on 07/2/2003 17:37:05
See your point.... Ahhh, the gets brighter as we go! GRIN
In the case you mentioned, yes... #8 is rated for ~53 amperes of constant current flow. Depending on the length of the feed wire, there is a resistance factor here that comes into play too.
Most amp makers select wire gage termination based on maximum current the amp will draw at full power. They also take into account a voltage drop of less than 0.5 volts in the main feed line. This is why many high wattage amps recommend #4 gage wire, once the amperage draw exceeds ~50 amperes.
Hope that helps somebody here,
Swez
johndavid400 on 07/2/2003 23:51:12
thanks a lot swez and RTM.. very helpful. You guys actually know what your'e talking about. I posted on sounddomain.com and those idiots just wanted to argue with me about typos, one of them told me that I should hook it up with 8awg and if it overheated... upgrade to 4awg! No help from them.
Replies (7)
Relax_The_Mind on 07/2/2003 06:29:09
Technically speaking 8awg would be fine for normal use. 8awg is good up to ~65amps MAX (+/- isulation and copper quality). Meaning unless you have a long 32hz note playing at max volume the whole time you should go with the 4awg.
In my opinion no...For that particular amp and most amps above 500 I would go with nothing less than 4awg power and ground wire. I usually only use 8awg for 500peak and less. It also leaves lost of headroom if you ever wanted to upgrade your amp. (which is common).
RTM
Swez on 07/2/2003 07:54:43
Agreed... #8 is not adequate for that amp and any amps you may add later, would have to rewire anyway... so use #4 now and have room for expansion later.
Swez SMILE
Tray on 07/2/2003 08:50:23
Typically the manufacturer will let you know what size wire you should use, simply by the connection point. If your amp accepts 4 AWG input, it's usually best to use it.
And true, it's always nice to not need to re-run wires if you decide to upgrade next week, in a month, or in a year when you feel you need more.
johndavid400 on 07/2/2003 17:27:34
Well, upgrading is not a concern here... seeing as how I am actually downgrading. I just sold my jbl 1200.1 and bought the 600.1 (I know it sounds crazy). I was actually debating whether or not to even put any sound system in at all. So, aside from the topic of later upgrades, would 8awg be sufficient if the amp is never pushed hard (it will only be hooked up to 1 pioneer premier 400w rms 10" sub). Also, the 600.1 comes with a power connector that accepts either 8awg or 4awg (this is the only reason I was even asking...why would it accept 8awg if it were too small to sufficiently power the amp, right?). anyways, thanks for the input
Relax_The_Mind on 07/2/2003 17:33:38
Well in that case... Yes 8awg is sufficient. No heat problems either as that would only arise from continuous max current draw which that amp couldnt do anyways.
RTM
Swez on 07/2/2003 17:37:05
See your point.... Ahhh, the gets brighter as we go! GRIN
In the case you mentioned, yes... #8 is rated for ~53 amperes of constant current flow. Depending on the length of the feed wire, there is a resistance factor here that comes into play too.
Most amp makers select wire gage termination based on maximum current the amp will draw at full power. They also take into account a voltage drop of less than 0.5 volts in the main feed line. This is why many high wattage amps recommend #4 gage wire, once the amperage draw exceeds ~50 amperes.
Hope that helps somebody here,
Swez
johndavid400 on 07/2/2003 23:51:12
thanks a lot swez and RTM.. very helpful. You guys actually know what your'e talking about. I posted on sounddomain.com and those idiots just wanted to argue with me about typos, one of them told me that I should hook it up with 8awg and if it overheated... upgrade to 4awg! No help from them.
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