Kicker ex 2000.1 amp

well.... im biting the bullet on that kicker ex 2000.1 this weekend. I hope it all goes well! mainly hoping I dont ruin my amp or subs. any dos or donts I should know?

this system is just to mainly show off once in a while, maybe pound a song or two when im alone. I dont listen to it constantly maxed for hours at a time although I do do a lot of 4 hour drives with the system at around 30-50% volume with the bass turned up a lot. no crazy heavy bass songs. mainly just sirius radio.

ive got two Rockford fosgate power 3112 12" dual voice coil subs which are wired for 2 ohm.

subs are rated for: 150-1,000 watts RMS (500 watts per coil)
peak power 2,000 watts

current amp:

•     1000 Watts of Power
•     CEA Rated: 300W (1.0% THD+N) (4 Ohm/1Ch)
•     CEA Rated: 500W (1.0% THD+N) (2 Ohm/1Ch)

kicker 2000.1 ex specs:

Peak Power     4000W
Power (at 1 Ohm)     2000W x 1 RMS
Power (at 2 Ohm)     1400W x 1 RMS

I hooked it up and did a test run with my current 8 gauge wiring and its a little louder/more bass, but nothing crazy considering ive doubled the size of the amp. is it because my wiring is so small? (cheap scoshe 8 gauge wiring from wal mart)

is it critical that I upgrade my wiring or is there anything else I should know? the sub box, and amp to sub wiring has been upgraded already. but the power cable and ground that power the amp are a little small (8 gauge). I dont plan on running the subs, and amp to their 100% capacity. I just want a little tiny bit more than what I got now.

I am going to order 1/0 OFC cable from knukonceptz for the power cable, and ground cable (to the seat belt bolt BTW)

seems like looking online I should be running 1/0 gauge: https://www./itm/KnuKonceptz-...nMbwKDzOH1DF2A

what size fuse should I be running in this?

I am concerned that its going to hurt my alternator.

1. do I need a capacitor (ive been told theyre a waste of time)

and 2. how can I check, with a multimeter, what my numbers are. I have a new battery but would like to see how much juice drains when the long, big bass hits come on. how do I do this?

thanks!

car is a 2004 Jetta TDI.   140 amp alternator.

Do not waste your money on a capacitor. Set meter to DC volts, 20 volt range if it is not an auto-ranging meter. Place the red meter lead to the positive terminal of the amplifier. Place the black meter lead to the negative terminal of the amplifier. Have someone man the volume control and play said bass note, and notice the lowest reading on the meter. That is what your voltage is dropping to.

perfect. thanks for that. so that takes care of the voltage.

but now how am I able to tell how many amps im pulling from my alternator? or does it all come from the battery since thats where the amp is hooked up to? ive had several people mention that I could possible fry my alternator. any advice there?