0 gauge power wire ?
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=56333
Printed Date: May 11, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Topic: 0 gauge power wire ?
Posted By: MVAP
Subject: 0 gauge power wire ?
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 3:24 AM
I need help with choosing a good 0 gauge power wire. WHAT COMPANY BRAND? WHAT QUALITY? ..........so ON.. AND so ON.. AND .. so ON...... or it really dose'nt matter!!!! ------------- I love Car Audio!
Replies:
Posted By: Crusin'
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 3:41 AM
mvap, personally man i would just get whatever you like the look of. because honestly.... 0 guage from 'Stinger' should have the same properties as 0 guage from your local auto elecc....... if there is a difference, it will probably be in the stranding thickness. basically so long as its copper and its thick as hell and '0 guage' is written on the outer jacket.......i'd buy it. (if it is for a suitable price of course) forget the brand name unless thats the way you want your system to be "branded". ------------- Holden VL Calais
Pioneer DEHP9650MP
Kicker- 05KS60.2 -Front
- 05KS60 -Rear
- 05CVR12.4 -Sub
- 04KX400.1 Sub AMP D-Class Mono
MTX - TA3404 for speakers
Streewires Cabl
Posted By: MVAP
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 3:50 AM
Thanxs man. I appriecate that.
-------------
I love Car Audio!
Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 6:39 AM
stinger does have a higher strand count, and if you look at a cut away of stinger vs a off brand there is a diffrence. But as far as some of the cheaper brands we carry audiopipe, and raptor. They both get the job done for about 40-50% less then the stinger equipment
-------------
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: Alpine Guy
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 8:53 AM
Audiopipe and Raptor are good priced install accessories. I have stinger expert everything and my wallet shows... Unless your into squeesing out the last 0.1 db outa your sytem then a cheaper brand would be best.
-------------
2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.
Posted By: Poormanq45
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 9:23 AM
Alpine Guy wrote:
Unless your into squeesing out the last 0.1 db outa your sytem then a cheaper brand would be best.
As long as the wire is of sufficient guage for the current draw there are no increases to be had.
WIre is wire is wire. Stranded vs Solid = both are the same at the low EM frequencies that we're talking. -------------
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 9:55 AM
Poormanq45 is 100% correct. Don't believe the hype when it comes to power wire, it all works the same. Use welding wire for good quality cheap large gages. Check with any welders supply shop. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: MVAP
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 11:32 AM
Another Question what about the end tips, that i will need to crimp , where will i find them and how will i crimp such a large wire????????? ------------- I love Car Audio!
Posted By: jstruckman
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 11:34 AM
One thing i have notice about 0 gauge wire from brand to brand is how easy it is maked bends and curves. I used some cheaper brand 0 gaugen and it was harder to work with than the Stinger 0 guage i have now. Flexibility in the wiring is very helpuf when installing it in tight places.
Jazzy
-------------
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 12:02 PM
MVAP]A wrote:
other Question what about the end tips, that i will need to crimp , where will i find them and how will i crimp such a large wire?????????
Solder, solder, solder. Especially with large gages. A torch and silver solder rod works best. If you must crimp, use either the proper hydraulic crimper or a 5-pound sledge on a crimp die. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: Poormanq45
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 1:07 PM
ABout flexiblitiy: That is the main benefit of stranded wire. It is MUCH more flexible then solid wire. Usually the smaller the strands the easier it bends
-------------
Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 9:17 PM
either way when you get to 0 guage its like working with a filled garden hose. not a whoel lot of flexability
-------------
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: Alpine Guy
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 9:45 PM
Whell, my stinger HPM 0 awg is as flexable as a average 4 awg wire, , its like a giant wet noodle. ------------- 2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.
Posted By: Poormanq45
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 9:46 PM
Hmm... Then there's something wrong. The only way for it to be flexible as you say would be for the strands to NOT be tightly packed. This would either cause it to have LESS total diameter, or be physically larger.
Hopefully it's the latter of the two.
-------------
Posted By: Alpine Guy
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 10:26 PM
the strands of wire are as thin as hair, thats why its so flexable. You can't p***k yourself with the wires, there so flimsy.
-------------
2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.
Posted By: Poormanq45
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 10:32 PM
Hmm... Could you take a picture of the wire?
-------------
Posted By: Alpine Guy
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 10:53 PM
i'll see what i can do.
-------------
2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.
Posted By: Poormanq45
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 11:06 PM
I'm just wondering. I've working with commercial grade 1awg wire, and I've always noticed that the automotive stuff is a LOT smaller.
ANyone else noticed this?
-------------
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 11:24 PM
The size difference has to do witht he insulation class. American Wire Gage standards have to do with the total number of circular mils of the conductor. For something to be any particular gage it has to fit within the standards (to be legal, that is.) But the thickness and type of insulation is a different part of the rating rating. Higher voltage rating means thicker insulation (for wire with the same material as insulation.) So 600V commercial grade PVC insulation will be much thicker than 24 volt automotive grade PVC insulation. MIGHT be the diffference you see. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: May 24, 2005 at 11:24 PM
It all depends on the structure of the wire. Here is a calculator that shows how many mil-circular mils (MCM) a wire is at a given gauge. In order for a #1 wire to BE a #1 wire it MUST have around 83000 MCM. The apparent size of a wire can also be affected by the insulation on it. Most often, I bet you are seeing a difference in insulation... ------------- It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
Posted By: Poormanq45
Date Posted: May 25, 2005 at 12:17 AM
Problem is, none of this applies sinse automotive isn't regulated by the NEC. So without actually measuring them side by side you won't know.
-------------
Posted By: MVAP
Date Posted: May 25, 2005 at 1:00 AM
WOW ! Guys thanxs for the replies. You Guys can get deep ! your info is invaluable. I wish I can afford Stinger Pro Comp 0 gauge wire , but shop around the Broward , FL area are asking 3.99 per foot.!!! ------------- I love Car Audio!
Posted By: Paradigm
Date Posted: May 25, 2005 at 10:59 AM
You can get it online for much cheaper than that! Good lord that's a rip off. I also use Stinger wire (just because I wanted that "branded" look) and it is quite flexible compared to the old PG 4 gauge I had from a previous install. I use the HPM level of wire; it is very finely stranded as Alpine guy said, though I wouldn't know anything about that last bit   . I have no other reference with which to compare wires, but I think Stinger would be just fine, aside from cost (Stinger is a little more pricey than other brands). ------------- 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
Posted By: MVAP
Date Posted: May 25, 2005 at 11:34 AM
Paradigm If you remember the website or any others let me know!!!! ------------- I love Car Audio!
Posted By: Paradigm
Date Posted: May 25, 2005 at 2:15 PM
https://www.darvex.com Stinger, Lightning Audio and Sound Quest wiring https://www.cardomain.com/shoplist~b~Stinger~t~Power+Wires Direct link to their power/ground wire section. If it doesn't work just try www.cardomain.com/shop and that should get you close enough you could find it yourself. They sell multiple brands on this sight, so you wouldn't have to stick to just Stinger if you didn't want to. Hope that helps. I have ordered from both sites and have not had any problems with either one. Good luck. ------------- 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
Posted By: Poormanq45
Date Posted: May 25, 2005 at 5:17 PM
Ok, just got back from lowes. I picked up 20ft of 3/0 for $30.
That's pretty good. NEC rated up to 200amps. SO it's probably safe to ~250amps.
-------------
|