distro block question

[Denno]

Hey all,

If I run a 4awg cable to a distro block, then to two 8awg cables to the amps, should I fuse the 8awg cables? The 4awg cable will be fused at the battery..

I am just wondering whether I should buy a distro block that already has fuse holders in, or if I don't have to bother with fuses.. (The amps will be Alpine MRP-F300 and Pioneer GM-3200T).

Also, is it ok if I ground both amps to another distro block, and then through a 4awg cable to the chassis, or would it just be better to use the 8awg straight from the amp and ground them to different points?

Thanks in advance.

[holdenboy]

As far as a fused DB goes, its up to you.... in my opinion a fused DB is not really needed, as long as the length of 8awg isnt more than a meter or so.

Earthing is better if you use separate grounding points, using the 8awg i would run them to a good solid part of the car (not the parcel shelf etc) and sand back the area to bare metal, also use a split washer to stop it from coming undone over time.

[Tasmaniak]

Doesn't hurt to fuse it...but not necessary UNLESS your amps don't have their own fuses in the side of them.

[Denno]

Ok thanks guy's . Makes life much easier.

[danja]

One good thing about a fused distro block, especially a "circuit breaker" style one with switches, is that you can turn amps on/off independently without disconnected cables.

Also some amps have their own fuses, making a fused block redundant.

[Joe Peeps]

the fuse is to protect the cable, not the amp - what amps arent fused these days? but i agree with Holdenboy i wouldnt bother if its a short run.

multiple ground points are fine provided they are both solid (or you may introduce noise) but if you wish can ground via a distro to a central point there is no prob with this but remember to keep runs short.

[Denno]

Yeah I know the fuse is to protect the cable, which is why I was asking. I have seen distro blocks that go from one 4awg to four 8awg, so I wasn't sure whether only using two 8awgs would mean that they could get more current, and be overloaded. That doesn't make any sense, but I know what I mean lol.
The amps are all fused, so I'll just get a normal distro block.

Thanks for the help peoples .

[SweetWagon]

Yeah I know the fuse is to protect the cable, which is why I was asking. I have seen distro blocks that go from one 4awg to four 8awg, so I wasn't sure whether only using two 8awgs would mean that they could get more current, and be overloaded. That doesn't make any sense, but I know what I mean lol.
The amps are all fused, so I'll just get a normal distro block.

Thanks for the help peoples .

The cable doesn't 'get' current, The amps 'pull' current through it. I really dont see the point of those 1x4gauge to 4x8gauge Distro blocks, seeing 4gauge can only handle approx 1.5 times more current draw than 8 gauge...
If you're only running 2 amps, you can run the 4ga straight into the mono and 8ga from the mono to the other amp. OR terminate the 4ga with a ring terminal and also put ring terminals on the 8ga wire and bolt them together.

[Denno]

The cable doesn't 'get' current, The amps 'pull' current through it. I really dont see the point of those 1x4gauge to 4x8gauge Distro blocks, seeing 4gauge can only handle approx 1.5 times more current draw than 8 gauge...
If you're only running 2 amps, you can run the 4ga straight into the mono and 8ga from the mono to the other amp. OR terminate the 4ga with a ring terminal and also put ring terminals on the 8ga wire and bolt them together.

I know cable's don't 'get' current, it was just convenient to type that . Neither of the amps are a mono block... and the reason for needing a distro block to 8awg is because the 4awg ring terminal is too large to go under the screw in the amp for power (again, the amps are Alpine MRP-F300 and Pioneer GM-3200T). I just thought it'd be convenient to use the already purchased 4awg wiring kit to power two '8awg power wire requiring' amps. I didn't know that 4awg was 1.5 times 8awg though... I thought it was two 8awg equals one 4awg :S... But anyways, I don't think it'll be too much of a problem?

[holdenboy]

No mate you'll be right with 4awg......just buy a 1x4 - 2x8awg distribution block and you'll be right. As far as grounding goes, its up to you but i prefer seperate points. I would imagine theres little to no difference either way

[Denno]

Aight sweet, a definitive answer, just what I was after!

Cheers for the help everyone.

[SweetWagon]

I know cable's don't 'get' current, it was just convenient to type that . Neither of the amps are a mono block... and the reason for needing a distro block to 8awg is because the 4awg ring terminal is too large to go under the screw in the amp for power (again, the amps are Alpine MRP-F300 and Pioneer GM-3200T). I just thought it'd be convenient to use the already purchased 4awg wiring kit to power two '8awg power wire requiring' amps. I didn't know that 4awg was 1.5 times 8awg though... I thought it was two 8awg equals one 4awg :S... But anyways, I don't think it'll be too much of a problem?

Yeah 4 gauge is plenty fine to use. I would have thought 2x8gauge = 1x4 gauge but this is the site i use states otherwise Recommended Power and Ground Cable Sizes

[Luke0011]

sorry but 4 gauage on a 5 metre run can handle 150 amps b4 the wire will melt, and 8 gauge can supply 75 amps b4 the wire will melt or corrode or deteriorate. ANd exactly as JOE PEEPS said. The fuse is there to protect the wire only,no need to fuse it twice. BUt one thing that i have noticed over the years is there are actually thinner 4 gauge wire or 8 gauge wire than the next. As in one 4 gauge will have less strands than the other. Cheap bastards, but i wont mention the brands, LOL!!!