I was wondering what is the best way of wiring up 2 amps.Here's the scenario, I have 4 gauge wire coming from the battery to the fuse about a foot away,then from the fuse to the amp (I only have 1 amp hooked up right now for the subs and I'm installing 1 for the highs).Now heres the question: I have a Kicker kx 600.1 right now thats using the 4 guage, so do I put in a distribution block that goes from 1 four guage to two 8 guage and run each 8 guage to each amp?Will one 8 guage wire deliver sufficient power to the Kicker 600.1? Or is there another way?Thanx!
Replies (12)
UKinstaller on 12/2/2005 00:28:41
8 gauge will be fine. generally on kicker amps you can go down one size of the recommend gauge for power/ground and have no difference in performance. i have a 2500.1 that recommends 1/0 gauge wire but myself and everyone i know uses 4 gauge on it and it still performs great.
-UK
swez on 12/2/2005 01:37:39
This amp is fused with dual 30A fuses. Its normal ampere draw will be about 50A when you crank it hard for extended periods. That's fine for a short line #8 wire. (under 6 feet)
You can check this by feeling the wire for excess heat. If it get a little warm when you push the amp hard, no problem. However, if the jacket gets very warm to hot in say 30 minutes of hard playing, better to use a #4 wire set on this amp.
Swez
MrBrownstone on 12/2/2005 03:07:06
If you are running 4 guage for, say 18 of the 21 feet of wiring, stepping it down to 8 guage will have no effect on that amplifier. Also, it's a Class D 600W amplifier, so it's not using a whole lot of current.
If you do plan on adding more or larger amplifiers later, run a 2nd 4 guage wire..one for sub amps, the other to be distributed for the other amps/equipment.
anonymous_a on 12/2/2005 11:13:43
Does anyone know of a fused distribution block that goes from 1 guage in and a four and eight guage out? I want to run it like this but don"t know if this is made: from batt. to block 1 guage then from block to trunk one 8 and one 4 guage.I'm trying to eliminate the dist. block that I would put in the trunk and keep the fused dist. next to the batt.If I can find this particular fused dist. block I can keep 4 guage on the Kicker and the 8 on the other amp.Thanks!
UKinstaller on 12/2/2005 16:04:14
do you already have 1/0 wire or do you want to run it?? if you don't have it already, just keep your 4 gauge wire that you have right now for the kicker amp, and run a new 8 gauge wire for your other amplifier. no distro blocks required.
-UK
swez on 12/2/2005 20:54:42
That 1/0 wire is very hard to hide and snake through some vehicles. It's also pretty expensive. The #4 you have now is actually fine for both amps, as it will carry 80-100A no problem.
You can easily make a distribution splice connection with some very basic hardware. Here's the parts list:
1. A 1/4-3/8" bolts, ~1" long & 1 matching Nyloc nut
2. A pair of #4 gage ring connectors, 1 #8 ring connector
3. A length of #4 & #8 wire for the amps
4. A large diameter piece of shrink tubing (~1-1/2" ID) 6-8" long
Put your ring connectors on the corresponding wires. Slip the shrink tubing over your 4/8 wires. Attach your connectors with the bolt and nut and snug it down tight. Slide the shrink tubing over your connections and heat it up gradually with a heat gun or lighter.
No, it's not as pretty as a $20.00 D-block, but as long as there is a good isulation layer over the splice, you can hide it under the rear seats or in the trunk. That's about $5.00 in materials and it will do the job just fine.
If you wish to make it look better, buy one of those little plastic work boxes at Radio Shack. and just drill a few holes for wire to go in and come out. Use the bolt/Nyloc nut and assemble as mentioned, w/o the shrink tubing.
Radio Shack: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062280&cp=2032058.2032230.2032276&parentPage=family
P/N: 270-1802
FYI: The "Oldtimers" use to splice by weaving all wires together, soldering them and then, tape the heck out of them. It's cheap and effective, but very labor intensive to get the weave done well. With this amount of wire, ya need a torch to generate enough heat to get the solder to flow well. (not recommended)
Swez THINK
anonymous_a on 12/3/2005 10:31:06
I don't have 1/0 guage now but was thinking of just using about a foot and a half or so under the hood.I saw a fused distro that went from 1/0 guage in and one four and one 8 out.I was just looking for a way to get out of a fused distro up front and a regular distro in the trunk.Swez now your making me really work,lol.
swez on 12/3/2005 13:28:13
OK lazy bonz... we'll keep it simple. Here's a new product that has multiple wire fittings:
http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KNF-12
This is a very cleaver system and looks pretty robust as well. Here's a few pics on how to assy the system:
http://www.knukonceptz.com/assets/Tech/knfhowto.htm
Figure you will need a 80A fuse for the #4 line and 40A for the #8 line. You may wish to buy 2 of each. (just in case you pop one, you have a spare on hand)
Swez
anonymous_a on 12/3/2005 17:31:31
Well you've done it again Swez,thank you and everyone else for the help. Only thing is does this have 2 outputs, one 4 guage and one 8 guage?It doesn't say exactly and I don't see any kind of contact address to ask em.
swez on 12/4/2005 11:48:34
The device I showed you, has a 1/0 or #4 input, depending on the insert you choose. There are two outputs on the other side. They can be set up for a #4 and a #8 with the proper fittings (inserts) that come in the kit.
Here's a link for their home page. It has a phone number you can use to call in orders or do so online:
http://www.knukonceptz.com/index.cfm
Swez
PS The fuses also come in 5 packs. I don't know if this is a common fuse style, or it's a custom design for this application. The 5 packs may be a good deal cheaper per unit this way and you'll have several spares this way. Your call...
MrBrownstone on 12/5/2005 14:09:03
Amigo
If you are running 4 guage from the battery area all the way to the back of the vehicle, there is no benefit to having the 1/0 wire at all. If you are using 1/0 for any reason, it should be to run the bulk of the distance.
ex: 20 foot distance between the battery and the amplifiers.
17 feet of that distance is run from the battery, and 3 feet is split in the rear of the vehicle.
The purpose of the 1/0 wire is to decrease the effective resistance that accumulates from running wire a long distance. In this case, 17 of the 20 feet of wire is where the resistance will build up. That's where you need big wire, if you have the demand.
Unless you are pulling 3kW, 2 guage is large enough. People overwire their cars for no apparent reason other than to impress their friends. It's kinda like penile compensation. Buying a $60k sports car because you need Viagra to get it up.
See what I'm saying? Unless you truly plan to fire up 3kW, stick with the 4 guage all the way.
anonymous_a on 12/5/2005 15:03:46
I was gonna use about a foot,foot and a half of 1/0 guage to the fuse distro block but then I thought that really makes no difference from 4 guage on that little stretch.That distro Swez has me sold on comes with size adjustment rings so I can run 4 guage in.I basically just want to get a 4 and 8 guage output from 1 distro rather than using two, one fused block under the hood and then a regular distro in the trunk.I figure with this particular block it's fused and spliced all at one distro.I saw one like this on ebay then went back the next day to buy it and it was gone and couldn't find another one like it so I made this post and sure enough got directed right to the item I need.Now another question I have is about those crimp rings that you put on the end of 4 guage wire to connect it to the battery.I've also been looking at these and they all say the hole opening for the bolt is 5/16".I'm ordering one of those post extenders but don't know how big the bolts on those usually are.I do know that the stock bolt on it now that holds the battery cable on is fatter than 5/16".So the main question is will that post extender be 5/16" acceptable?
Replies (12)
UKinstaller on 12/2/2005 00:28:41
8 gauge will be fine. generally on kicker amps you can go down one size of the recommend gauge for power/ground and have no difference in performance. i have a 2500.1 that recommends 1/0 gauge wire but myself and everyone i know uses 4 gauge on it and it still performs great.
-UK
swez on 12/2/2005 01:37:39
This amp is fused with dual 30A fuses. Its normal ampere draw will be about 50A when you crank it hard for extended periods. That's fine for a short line #8 wire. (under 6 feet)
You can check this by feeling the wire for excess heat. If it get a little warm when you push the amp hard, no problem. However, if the jacket gets very warm to hot in say 30 minutes of hard playing, better to use a #4 wire set on this amp.
Swez
MrBrownstone on 12/2/2005 03:07:06
If you are running 4 guage for, say 18 of the 21 feet of wiring, stepping it down to 8 guage will have no effect on that amplifier. Also, it's a Class D 600W amplifier, so it's not using a whole lot of current.
If you do plan on adding more or larger amplifiers later, run a 2nd 4 guage wire..one for sub amps, the other to be distributed for the other amps/equipment.
anonymous_a on 12/2/2005 11:13:43
Does anyone know of a fused distribution block that goes from 1 guage in and a four and eight guage out? I want to run it like this but don"t know if this is made: from batt. to block 1 guage then from block to trunk one 8 and one 4 guage.I'm trying to eliminate the dist. block that I would put in the trunk and keep the fused dist. next to the batt.If I can find this particular fused dist. block I can keep 4 guage on the Kicker and the 8 on the other amp.Thanks!
UKinstaller on 12/2/2005 16:04:14
do you already have 1/0 wire or do you want to run it?? if you don't have it already, just keep your 4 gauge wire that you have right now for the kicker amp, and run a new 8 gauge wire for your other amplifier. no distro blocks required.
-UK
swez on 12/2/2005 20:54:42
That 1/0 wire is very hard to hide and snake through some vehicles. It's also pretty expensive. The #4 you have now is actually fine for both amps, as it will carry 80-100A no problem.
You can easily make a distribution splice connection with some very basic hardware. Here's the parts list:
1. A 1/4-3/8" bolts, ~1" long & 1 matching Nyloc nut
2. A pair of #4 gage ring connectors, 1 #8 ring connector
3. A length of #4 & #8 wire for the amps
4. A large diameter piece of shrink tubing (~1-1/2" ID) 6-8" long
Put your ring connectors on the corresponding wires. Slip the shrink tubing over your 4/8 wires. Attach your connectors with the bolt and nut and snug it down tight. Slide the shrink tubing over your connections and heat it up gradually with a heat gun or lighter.
No, it's not as pretty as a $20.00 D-block, but as long as there is a good isulation layer over the splice, you can hide it under the rear seats or in the trunk. That's about $5.00 in materials and it will do the job just fine.
If you wish to make it look better, buy one of those little plastic work boxes at Radio Shack. and just drill a few holes for wire to go in and come out. Use the bolt/Nyloc nut and assemble as mentioned, w/o the shrink tubing.
Radio Shack: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062280&cp=2032058.2032230.2032276&parentPage=family
P/N: 270-1802
FYI: The "Oldtimers" use to splice by weaving all wires together, soldering them and then, tape the heck out of them. It's cheap and effective, but very labor intensive to get the weave done well. With this amount of wire, ya need a torch to generate enough heat to get the solder to flow well. (not recommended)
Swez THINK
anonymous_a on 12/3/2005 10:31:06
I don't have 1/0 guage now but was thinking of just using about a foot and a half or so under the hood.I saw a fused distro that went from 1/0 guage in and one four and one 8 out.I was just looking for a way to get out of a fused distro up front and a regular distro in the trunk.Swez now your making me really work,lol.
swez on 12/3/2005 13:28:13
OK lazy bonz... we'll keep it simple. Here's a new product that has multiple wire fittings:
http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KNF-12
This is a very cleaver system and looks pretty robust as well. Here's a few pics on how to assy the system:
http://www.knukonceptz.com/assets/Tech/knfhowto.htm
Figure you will need a 80A fuse for the #4 line and 40A for the #8 line. You may wish to buy 2 of each. (just in case you pop one, you have a spare on hand)
Swez
anonymous_a on 12/3/2005 17:31:31
Well you've done it again Swez,thank you and everyone else for the help. Only thing is does this have 2 outputs, one 4 guage and one 8 guage?It doesn't say exactly and I don't see any kind of contact address to ask em.
swez on 12/4/2005 11:48:34
The device I showed you, has a 1/0 or #4 input, depending on the insert you choose. There are two outputs on the other side. They can be set up for a #4 and a #8 with the proper fittings (inserts) that come in the kit.
Here's a link for their home page. It has a phone number you can use to call in orders or do so online:
http://www.knukonceptz.com/index.cfm
Swez
PS The fuses also come in 5 packs. I don't know if this is a common fuse style, or it's a custom design for this application. The 5 packs may be a good deal cheaper per unit this way and you'll have several spares this way. Your call...
MrBrownstone on 12/5/2005 14:09:03
Amigo
If you are running 4 guage from the battery area all the way to the back of the vehicle, there is no benefit to having the 1/0 wire at all. If you are using 1/0 for any reason, it should be to run the bulk of the distance.
ex: 20 foot distance between the battery and the amplifiers.
17 feet of that distance is run from the battery, and 3 feet is split in the rear of the vehicle.
The purpose of the 1/0 wire is to decrease the effective resistance that accumulates from running wire a long distance. In this case, 17 of the 20 feet of wire is where the resistance will build up. That's where you need big wire, if you have the demand.
Unless you are pulling 3kW, 2 guage is large enough. People overwire their cars for no apparent reason other than to impress their friends. It's kinda like penile compensation. Buying a $60k sports car because you need Viagra to get it up.
See what I'm saying? Unless you truly plan to fire up 3kW, stick with the 4 guage all the way.
anonymous_a on 12/5/2005 15:03:46
I was gonna use about a foot,foot and a half of 1/0 guage to the fuse distro block but then I thought that really makes no difference from 4 guage on that little stretch.That distro Swez has me sold on comes with size adjustment rings so I can run 4 guage in.I basically just want to get a 4 and 8 guage output from 1 distro rather than using two, one fused block under the hood and then a regular distro in the trunk.I figure with this particular block it's fused and spliced all at one distro.I saw one like this on ebay then went back the next day to buy it and it was gone and couldn't find another one like it so I made this post and sure enough got directed right to the item I need.Now another question I have is about those crimp rings that you put on the end of 4 guage wire to connect it to the battery.I've also been looking at these and they all say the hole opening for the bolt is 5/16".I'm ordering one of those post extenders but don't know how big the bolts on those usually are.I do know that the stock bolt on it now that holds the battery cable on is fatter than 5/16".So the main question is will that post extender be 5/16" acceptable?
Copyright ClubKnowledge 2009 * All Rights Reserved
