quick question about wires.

[Haydz]

hey guys.
do u reckon an 8 gauge power wire. would be able to take 1120 watts of power. or should i get a larger wire? not sure it says 8 gauge can take like 1800 watts.
but im not sure. thanks.

[RUN41T]

1800watts max or 1800watts rms?

What type of amp is it?

[Haydz]

the wire says it 1800 max. and im going to run a boss and a rampage amp off it.

[Haydz]

with both of the max output equalling 1120 watts.

[RUN41T]

I would run 4 guage from the battery to the boot, then a distro with 2x 8 guage out, one to each amp.

Like this:


Make sure you have a fire extinguisher in your car, boss amps have been known to get VERY hot and catch fire,l I have seen it happen in a 97 modal pajero

Cheers
Garrett

[Haydz]

thanks mate. ive heard about that. i keep checking mine and it doesn't get very hot at all.
because i have it surrounded by air. like its not touching any carpet or anything so yeah should go all good. where did you get the distrobution block from. and how much. there is one for 10 bucks at jaycar.
also how much is it for 4 gauge. to run from the battery to the boot? thanks alot.

[Haydz]

or is it better to run two 8 gauge wires as i can get them quite cheaply

[garfa]

mate just make sure you get a fused distro block.
the fuse for the larger wire will not cover the smaller wire in the event of a short.

[Tasmaniak]

what the hell is it with FUSED distribution blocks? Fuse at the battery and fuses at the amp now you want to slam a fuse in the middle of it all? LOL Talk about restrictive.

[garfa]

going from 4ga to 8ga at the block and a 150Amp fuse on the feed.
you will melt the 8ga's jacket before you pop the fuse, no?

[Haydz]

hey i got a new idea.
how about i run 4gauge in the engine bay and then a distrobution block. then two 8 gauges going to the amps. sound good?

[commsirac]

Have a look at American Wire Gauge table and AWG Electrical Current Load Limits
It only gives current ratings, you have to work out the current for 1800W using P(watts) = V x I(amps), using either 14 or 12V(whichever it is rated at)


mathematically it doesnt follow that 4 gauge is equivalent to 2 x 8 gauge in cross sectional area(the way we typically look at the current capability)........though it wont be too far off the mark to cause significant problems