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Power/Grounding Upgrade

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=38447
Printed Date: October 31, 2024 at 5:56 PM


Topic: Power/Grounding Upgrade

Posted By: Craigl28
Subject: Power/Grounding Upgrade
Date Posted: September 01, 2004 at 12:23 PM

I've gotten away with "shotty" grounds/power for years in my VW Vanagon, but yesterday I bought some cable and terminal blocks for a serious upgrade. Naturally I got some questions:

1. My plan for the ground and power circuits is a "T" from a  distribution block. Amps are adjacent to the batteries underneath the front seats and the head unit in the normal dash position. I bought 4 gauge wire for the power and 8 gauge wire for the ground, plus a good distribution block for each. What I have no clue about is how should I connect this big wire to the small 16 gauge stock wires coming out of the amps and head unit?

Perhaps more questions later.

Thanks in advance,

Craig




Replies:

Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: September 01, 2004 at 5:47 PM
well you dont have to run your power or ground to the radio at all, at least i hope you dont.   the amps dont have screw type terminals?    if you have old orions or something that have a bundle of wires coming out of the amp then you should solder and insulate these wires very well...or connect directly into a distro block.   

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2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place




Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: September 01, 2004 at 9:44 PM

The amplifier's ground wire must be as large as the power wire.



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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.




Posted By: Craigl28
Date Posted: September 02, 2004 at 10:44 AM

Thanks Stuart and Jeff!

Just need two more answers from you, what connection hardware is good for butting large and small wire? And is there any risk of cooking the small wire?

Thanks in advance,

Craig





Posted By: redlight831
Date Posted: September 02, 2004 at 11:22 AM
why are you trying to use two sizes of wires...its not going to be any better because you are still using that small wire




Posted By: Craigl28
Date Posted: September 02, 2004 at 12:03 PM
the small wires are the original wires coming out the back of the head unit and amps. Do you extend them with the same size to the distribution block?




Posted By: redlight831
Date Posted: September 02, 2004 at 12:09 PM
yes





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