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Small power blocks? 8ga -> 10 or 12ga?

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=10640
Printed Date: July 29, 2025 at 10:39 AM


Topic: Small power blocks? 8ga -> 10 or 12ga?

Posted By: vseven
Subject: Small power blocks? 8ga -> 10 or 12ga?
Date Posted: March 09, 2003 at 11:51 AM

Anyone know of a company that makes smaller distribution blocks, preferably fused, for small wire. I was looking to power some fans, a AudioControl EQ, and possibly a neon tube for my future amp rack and wanted to draw the power off my existing 4ga -> 8ga block. Everything I would be powering has 12ga wiring. Something that has 1 8ga input and 2 - 4 10 or even 12ga outputs would be great. Or do I just use a couple 12ga wirs and put them all into one of the 8ga outputs on my existing block? I figure this will work but not look as good. Also I didn't want to just go from 8ga and wirenut a bunch of 12ga wires to it. If anyone has some ideas or a company that has them please post.

Allan.



Replies:

Posted By: bdl666
Date Posted: March 10, 2003 at 6:20 AM
Use the 8gauge wire that you have and just solder the 12gauge wires to it. Just hide the solder joint where you can't see it and it will be a good idea to use heat shrink tubbing on the joint. Or just get a few 12 gauge and use the heat shrink tubbing to make a bundle that can go to your distribution block. It comes in lot's of colors so if you want you can use it on the rest of your wires so they will match.That way you can create any color combination that can match your installation on even the color of the amps. Just go to your local electronics supply store and buy it on a roll or by the yard. It's pretty cheap.




Posted By: vseven
Date Posted: March 11, 2003 at 6:21 PM
The first thing I thought of was to combine them in shrink wrap but the power wires (both 4ga and 8ga) are clear blue, and the grounds are clear silver. So banding them together and heat shrinking the bundle would look goofy. I think what I'll end up doing is making my own little distribution block. I was thinking of mounting a piece of metal, something like 2" x 1" x 1/8", to the back of the rack with two screw posts. On one will be my 8 ga (which is coming from my existing disto block) and on the other will be a bunch of ring terminals from the accessory power wires. This way I could easily remove stuff if need be my just unscrewing. When I'm done I plan on being able to remove the entire amp rack in 5 minutes, using quick disconnects for EVERYthing. Found stuff that will work for it all except the 4ga power and ground....if anyone has some ideas lemme know. Closest I have come is getting some of those Stinger things that convert your 4ga to a battery terminal like thing and have the power and ground click into some sort of slot or post or something. Hopefully theres a better idea.

Allan.




Posted By: bdl666
Date Posted: March 12, 2003 at 4:44 PM
This is what you need. Click here




Posted By: bdl666
Date Posted: March 12, 2003 at 4:47 PM
Also I think this will solve the distribution block problem. Click here




Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: March 12, 2003 at 5:44 PM
just buy a busbar...




Posted By: vseven
Date Posted: March 12, 2003 at 7:58 PM
Thanks bdl666 for the links and Big Purds for pointing out the easy solution that for some reason esacped me. This is just what I was looking for. I can run 8ga from the distro block to a ring terminal landed on the Phoenix gold fuse block, then connect each unit to this and fuse them seperatly so if any of them have a problem it wount bring down the system. Then for the ground I can use a bus bar to wire all the grounds together and have it look decent.

Allan.




Posted By: vseven
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 1:35 PM
FYI: I found the fused distribution block with the one screw termainal and up to 6 outputs at my local Advanced Auto Part store. Look identical to the Phoenix Gold one in every regard except it was only $7 and was made by the same people as most of the fuses at the store.

Allan





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