power wire under car

would it be alright to run the power wire from the battery to the rear of my s10 blazer under the car? if so would it be best to run along the frame rails, or through small pvc pipe to protect it. i was thinking that would be easiest so the wire wouldnt have to go under the carpet. thanks for any advice. brent

Use the PVC pipe idea so the wire will be protected.

if you want to run it under the body, run it along the frame rails with some 1/2"cpvc piping, assuming your using 4ga wire.

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Quad L Handyman services

honestly id go through the firewall, you wont risk as much and its easier to work on... just my opinion

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---- 1996 Chevy S10 ----
1 Lightning Audio S2.600.2 Amp
2 Lightning Audio 12" Subs
1 Lightning Audio 1 Farad Cap

Going inside will probably be the safer idea, but sometimes it's not always the only choice. If I were to run wiring outside of the car I'd definately use welding wire (since it's basically designed for that, plus for me it's cheaper than fancy wire). And also check out the flexible conduit most home improvement stores have. It's a rubber/plastic kind of stuff and isn't too expensive.

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Under the car would be my last option if I had absolutely no other choice. I thought of it when I had a tough time once, but somehow succeeded to find a spot to drill without piercing into any other wires or pipes etc (with a lot of trouble) to drill a hole in the firewall. Going under the car is not the safest idea since you get water, mud and all the elements not to mention stones etc might hit the wires. If you put it in real good PVC then you're better off than nothing, but not as good and safe as it would be if it were inside the vehicle. Anyways, you are the final judge.

Definitely run the power wire inside the vehicle through the fire wall. You won't have to worry about the elements like markcars said^.

Plus if it's only 4ga, it shouldn't be that bad to go through the firewall and under the side steps by the doors.  If you were doing 1/0 ga then I would recomend going under the car.  I'm running 2ga inside my car and I have had no problem.  I've even run 1/0ga through a car and not under, you just have to do some extra planning in running the wire.  Hope that helps...

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Sonic

Pioneer AVH-P4000DVD
Zapco 360.4
Zapco 500.1
Zapco SP-4SL Processor
Two JL 10 W3v3d2
Alumapro 15 Farad Cap

Have you looked at https://www.knukonceptz.com?  Aside from having ridiculous prices and high-end cables (I know I sound like a commercial, but believe me on this one), they sell flat cable as well.  I ran their 1/0 and 2 gauge flat through my car and you can't feel where I ran it.  Check it out.

Lightning makes flat power cable as well

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Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979

in my old GMC Yukon I ran 4 ga. power cable inside the watertight metal flexible conduit from the battery down the frame rail and along the frame to the back of the truck and up into the area behind the spare tire.  that kind of conduit can be bought at any menards, lowe's, or home depot.  it's more expensive than the non-watertight flexible metal conduit, but when you're outside the safety of the vehicle, you want that extra protection.  this is the same stuff electrical contractors rely on to handle 120 volts and 200 amps.  it'll definately be safe for 14 volts and 50-60 amps (or more).

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Nick B. ~ MN
2001 Monte Carlo LS
Kenwood KDC-MP925
Hifonics Zeus
Rockford 12" Punch

I think the safety we are concerned about when having a wire outside the vehicle is not of voltage capacity but of the elements etc the wire or protection such as pipe is exposed to. Another concern is that the wire must be very well tied to whatever you are tying it to. If it sags or becomes loose in due course, under your car or truck, it might get caught with something and cause it to hook up to something. That would either break the pipe and tear the wires causing a short or whatever else could happen, or even break something in the car. Is it doable, yes but is it the best way I would not be on it.

yeah, SAFETY.  like if it's capable of SAFELY handling 120volts and 200 amps, it will SAFELY handle 12 volts and 50-60 amps.  i'm assuming that the conduit will be properly mounted to the body and/or frame and have nothing dragging or hanging free to catch on something while driving.  typical mounting clamps for this conduit is 1/8" glavanized steel with either 1 or 2 mounting holes in the flange and the fittings for this type of conduit are also watertight, so the only place for any "elements" to get inside the conduit and at the power cable would be either from the open end at the battery or from inside the vehicle (since the end that terminates inside the vehicle would use a watertight fitting to connect it to the vehicle's body).

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Nick B. ~ MN
2001 Monte Carlo LS
Kenwood KDC-MP925
Hifonics Zeus
Rockford 12" Punch

nbb350, read my post again if you missed what my point was. I know that the safety we all are talking about is NOT the voltage that you are jumping on, but PHYSICAL risk. Hey its your car, and if you feel safe about your plan go ahead by all means. We all are only trying to help. Good luck with it.

My brother-in-law ran his 4-Gauge wire under the body and back inside between the bed and the cab. It's been running for over 6 months now (rain, snow, sun, etc.) with zero problems. Not sure if he used any extra protection other than flex-loom, but so far it seems that he did all right with it. That's how I plan on running my 0-Gauge when I do my install, although I may go with some extra protection as nbb350 suggested.

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VEHICLE: 2002 GMC Sonoma ZR2
Alpine CDA-7940
AudioControl EQT x2
JL Audio 1000/1
JL Audio 10W6 (originals) x3
Kicker ZR120
Kicker ZR460
Polk GXR-6 x4
Polk GXR-4 x2