I'm currently have a Bazzoka EL8A-HP (100Watts) installed in my car. I don't remember the power cable gauge but I think is less than 8. Anyway, I purchase a Sony XM-460GTX (600W: 60W x4). I went to the local store and I was told that a 8 gauge cable should be enough to handle the new amp. I read that the wiring recommendation is to use an 8 gaude wire with a 60amp fuse. The store said that I only need a 8 gauge with a 30Amp fuse. Who is right?
Also, can both amps (bazzoka and sony) get juice from the same 8 gauge cable? Or Do I leave the bazzoka cable in place and run a new 8 gauge cable just for the sony? Can my battery handle that? This install is for a 2001 Honda.
Thanks for any help anyone can provide.
rortiz
Yes the battery can handle both amplifiers at the same time.
The 60A fuse is because the 8-gauge wire itself could handle up to 60A of current, and so you use a 60A inline fuse, mounted within 18" of the positive battery terminal. The sony amplifier itself has two 25A fuses built-in, for additional protection.
You should have no problem using the single 8-gauge wire running from your positive battery terminal, and then splitting it to go to both amps. I recommend using an inexpensive distribution block such as this one from Stinger, to send each amp its own 8-gauge cable. The distribution block should be placed near both amps...otherwise it completely defeats the purpose of that particular distro. block.
The fuse that comes with the bazooka tube is only rated for 7.5A, so that added to the sony's 50A gives you 57.5, which is still less than the 60A supported by your 8-gauge cabling and fuse, so you should be good to go.
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Ethan
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Wow that was fast!
Thank you Ethan for the help.
Rortiz