Barrier Question
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=40388
Printed Date: May 15, 2024 at 6:42 PM
Topic: Barrier Question
Posted By: bitwise
Subject: Barrier Question
Date Posted: October 06, 2004 at 12:30 PM
I am planning on building a box for 4 RE8 subwoofers for an 2001 extended cab GMC Sierra. The subs are dual voice coil and i will be wiring them for a 2 ohm load. Like so, https://www.jlaudio.com/tutorials/wiring/index.html#4dvcsp My question is what is the best way to splice the wires of the subs? I have heard that a barrier, like this: https://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5fid=274-658 would be good to have the four subwoofers leads come in, and then out as one wire. My question is would this barrier be able to handle the load of power that is sent through it, or would it cause any problems? Any suggestions are appreciated!
Replies:
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: October 06, 2004 at 1:18 PM
I would not use that barrier strip at all. What they are good for is connecting wire runs, not for joining together wire runs. Either solder all the leads together or use a power / ground distibution block like the scosche P48D. www.scosche.com ------------- Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: bitwise
Date Posted: October 06, 2004 at 1:56 PM
thanks forbidden, appreciate the quick response. what guage would you recommend I use? there will be 175 RMS going to each sub. can i splice 4 12 awg wires and have it still go into a 12 awg, or do i have to use a bigger guage wire after the splices are done? do you have any references for splicing 4 wires into 1 like that? thanks again
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: October 06, 2004 at 2:07 PM
I use barrier terminal strips like that all the time, especially for speakers, but of course soldering is better. And you don't need larger than 16 AWG wire. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: bitwise
Date Posted: October 07, 2004 at 9:23 AM
Do you have any tutorials for soldering 4 joints into one? Would I do them all in the same spot, or down the wire apart from each other? Also what is the best way to seal this connection, I feel like elec tape would have a tough time getting around a "Y" split like that.
Thanks.
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: October 07, 2004 at 10:55 PM
175 watts X 4 = 700 watts total. Into a 2 ohm load, the most amperage the final wire will see is 18 amps (https://www.the12volt.com/ohm/page2.asp#current) and 16 gauge will carry up to 15 amps; 14 ga. will handle up to 25 amps (https://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp) Soldering four 16's to a 14 shouldn't be too much to heat with a good 100 watt soldering iron. But it would be easier to solder them on one at a time. Electrical tape would work best, tape each joint and then retape over the whole length of joints. Illustrated here: Pick up a wire loom at the hardware store to cover all the tape and give a nice finished appearance. 
------------- 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: bitwise
Date Posted: October 08, 2004 at 8:44 AM
thanks for clarifying that stevdart. do you use a 'wire slitter' to remove insulation mid-wire?
and example of one is here:
https://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=360-720
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: October 08, 2004 at 10:53 AM
Cut through the insulation about a quarter inch apart with a wire stripper, using the hole that corresponds to the wire gauge. Then slit the insulation in that spot with a sharp razor blade, and peel off the insulation. If you cut carefully, you can do everything with a sharp razor blade. But a wire stripper is good to have.
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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: bitwise
Date Posted: October 08, 2004 at 12:42 PM
cool.. good tip!
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