cutting down 1/0 to 4 gauge?

i have a power distribution block allowing 1/0 in and (4) 4gauge out. the only thing is, that i want my sub amp to recieve 1/0 power. is it a good idea to trim the end of the 1/0 which will go into the 4gauge output from the power distribution? is this ok to do, or is it a bad idea?

Do that and you've turned the 1/0 wire into a 4 ga. wire.  It's akin to the saying "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link".  If you reduce a wire at the end by trimming strands, you are in effect reducing the gauge of the entire length of that wire.

Show me an amplifier that pulls so much amperage it needs a 1/0 input.  If you have such a beast, run a dedicated 1/0 from the battery directly to the amp (assuming the amp is capable of an input that large), and another wire to the distro block to feed the other amps.

Let's look at some numbers:  see https://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp  (Those are RMS numbers, not max or peak.  The recommended wire sizes allow for the peaks.)

If your sub amp is pulling more than 150 amps, you need larger than 4 ga. wire input.  If it's more than 225 amps, you need larger than 2 ga. wire.  Look at the amp's fuse rating to know the answer.

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

They make these nifty little adapters that are solid, one end is female and allows 1/0 in and the other is male and solid to go into an amp. I may have a set of them for laying around that I would let go for a couple bucks+shipping. They are alpine and came with a mrv1507.

-------------
Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

Here is an idea....1/0Ga-=-4Ga Adapter

-------------
Making the World A Louder Place

I agree - the only thing that requires 1/0g direct is an arcwelder.  Unless your amp can do that, there's no advantage to having that firehose going into it. 

I don't thnk, however, that there's any appreciable loss from trimming down a 1/4" where it enters the distro block, and would seriously doubt you'd ever hear the difference.  That's like saying a pin connector on 10 guage speaker wire reduces that entire wire to 22g.  (Entire wire, I like that.)

If I'm wrong about that please correct me, as I'm just theorizing.

-------------

Yeah, I think I was probably wrong about that.  In any case where you are indeed pulling so much amperage you would need 1/0 wire, don't reduce it at any point.  If nothing else you'll have a hot spot.  If you want the thick wire just for the sake of looks, it doesn't really matter if you reduce it.

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

a  soundstream power plant would help you out the power ground and remote you can wire 4 amps and a cap with ease with it

-------------
1974 ford pinto 4 15" punch Z power punch bd 1001 pioneer DEH-6700

the amp which i am talking about is the Kicker SX1250.1 and the other amp is a diamond D5600.2