Power and DS wiring sizing - And BIG3

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MoneyPit

Member - Posts: 36

Joined: August 18, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: April 28, 2005 at 3:01 PM / IP Logged

Mapping out the final install details for:

Amps: 2 Kx400.1 strapped. From the two birth sheets, I'll have 945W RMS (I have these)

Subs: 2 12" RF P3's (4ohm DVC wired to 2ohm load). (Don't have yet. Waiting for next payday)

Thinking of running 2/0 from the batt to a DS, then 4/0 to each amp. The same with the ground but grounded to chassis in the back of course.

Will this work, or should I just run 4/0 to the back?

Also....

I was going to measure for the Big3 upgrade and found that my Altenator does not have a terminal straight from the batt. It has the batt wire running to the fenderwell mounted starter solenoid. Then from the solenoid to the altenator via a plug. This power wire is only about 12awg for the stock 75amp alt. I WAS planning upgrading the altenator as well but with no options with this wiring system (plug), it doesn't look good.

My truck is a '90 F150 Supercab with the 5.0. If anyone with experience upgrading one of these.....where did you find the Alt, and how did you work around the plug?? Thinking I need at least a 200A.

So for now, it looks like it's just the BIG2!

Bill

System in progress:

2 Kicker KX400.1's - 945w RMS

2 12" P3's in a ported box built by local shop

1 Kicker KX250.2 to drive the mids and highs

1 set Alpine SPR-136A for mids & highs

MoneyPit

Member - Posts: 36

Joined: August 18, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: April 28, 2005 at 3:04 PM / IP Logged

Forgot to mention... the length of the power wire to the back will be about 8ft.

Bill

System in progress:

2 Kicker KX400.1's - 945w RMS

2 12" P3's in a ported box built by local shop

1 Kicker KX250.2 to drive the mids and highs

1 set Alpine SPR-136A for mids & highs

haemphyst

Platinum - Posts: 5,054

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Joined: January 19, 2003

Location: Michigan, Bouvet Island

Posted: April 28, 2005 at 4:17 PM / IP Logged

First off, the gauge you are refrring to is 4 not 4/0, I hope... 4/0 is about 7/8 of an inch in diameter and HUGE!!!

A number 2 would be WAY plenty for 945 watts of amplifier power. You won't have to buy anything bigger than that, run it to a fused distro, with a #4 out to each amp, and you'll be fine.

Fords do indeed have a fender mounted solenoid, but the side not connected to the battery is connected to the STARTER, not the alternator. Your alternator should look something like this. It'll be on top of the engine toward the radiator, probably on the drivers side.

Here's the link to your alternator, BTW...

It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

MoneyPit

Member - Posts: 36

Joined: August 18, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: April 28, 2005 at 5:01 PM / IP Logged

Yeah, I meant 2 guage. Thanks!

Altenator.......

Nope, mine's different. That's for 91+. The alt wire shares the same post on the solenoid on mine.

Found a local rebuilder that suggested swapping to a different case (3G) that eliminates the plug for a post style. He is very experienced with these Fords and said these plugs were a dangerous design, he's seen them cause fires (the wire is way too small) He has one with 180amps for $250.

I called Altersart, they have one that's 200A for $275 shipped BUT I don't like the idea of buying the alt online...Think 180A is enough for the 945W's? Remember, stock is 75A. I just don't want the 'ol lights a dimmin. :-)

Bill

System in progress:

2 Kicker KX400.1's - 945w RMS

2 12" P3's in a ported box built by local shop

1 Kicker KX250.2 to drive the mids and highs

1 set Alpine SPR-136A for mids & highs

MoneyPit

Member - Posts: 36

Joined: August 18, 2004

Location: United States

Posted: April 28, 2005 at 11:50 PM / IP Logged

MoneyPit wrote:

Subs: 2 12" RF P3's (4ohm DVC wired to 2ohm load). (Don't have yet. Waiting for next payday)

Just noticed this..........4ohm DVC wired to a 2ohm load...........RIIIIGHT! Power and DS wiring sizing - And BIG3 - Last Post -- posted image.

Ehem....4ohm load (the minimum for strapping the two KX's)

Bill

System in progress:

2 Kicker KX400.1's - 945w RMS

2 12" P3's in a ported box built by local shop

1 Kicker KX250.2 to drive the mids and highs

1 set Alpine SPR-136A for mids & highs

Ravendarat

Platinum - Posts: 2,806

Joined: February 23, 2004

Location: Canada

Posted: April 29, 2005 at 2:57 PM / IP Logged

Ya but if you have 2 subs that are dvc then you wire each sub to 2 ohms then series them together to get a 4 ohm load on your strapped amps, problem avoided.

double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer

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Power and DS wiring sizing - And BIG3

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