8 gauge sufficient for 300W rms total?
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=72622
Printed Date: May 06, 2024 at 12:44 AM
Topic: 8 gauge sufficient for 300W rms total?
Posted By: groggy23
Subject: 8 gauge sufficient for 300W rms total?
Date Posted: February 11, 2006 at 12:54 PM
I'm building a new system for my friends nissan altima 04. I've heard their alternators are really good for car audio and can handle alot, is this true? Anyway he's going to have 2 amps, 1 powering his fronts which are @ 50W x 2 RMS and 1 powering his sub which is @ 200W x 1 RMS Both of these are @ 14.4v.. So I'm trying to figure out what gauge kit I need to get him by using this chart: https://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/learningcenter/car/cable_gauge_chart.html
If my calculations are correct he only needs 8 gauge wiring.. Is that right? I got around 43.5 amperes with about 13-18ft of power wire. And by looking at that chart it seems thats all he needs.
Replies:
Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: February 11, 2006 at 12:57 PM
Heres the thing.....hes gonna love what you did for him SOOOOOOO much, he's gonna want more. Most people do. Run 4G just for the future upgrade..... Just a thought. -------------
Posted By: boardinbum
Date Posted: February 11, 2006 at 1:00 PM
Definitely go with what KarTuneMan said. I've seen that happen so many times. Even with my first system, I started with 8G. And sure enough, a couple months later had to switch it out for 4G because I added another amp.
Posted By: groggy23
Date Posted: February 11, 2006 at 1:05 PM
^Alright I had that 4gauge in mind too.. I know he'll probably want more power. I did my calculations and if he wanted to up to 600w for the sub itself that will defenitely require 4gauge. Thanks.. :)
Posted By: mike swanson
Date Posted: February 11, 2006 at 3:23 PM
Always run 4ga. They shouldnt even make anything less.
Why take the chance of burning up a power supply in your amp.
If your hungry would you rather suck your food threw a straw or a big spoon untill your full? LOL
Posted By: Walkercustoms
Date Posted: February 11, 2006 at 3:46 PM
Just do what I did run 1/0 and you will never have to worry about power again. Now, thats on the shop car everybody else its always 4ga.
Posted By: groggy23
Date Posted: February 11, 2006 at 5:28 PM
^Yeah thats what i did with mine. I've been running 1/0 gauge since I started work on my car.
Posted By: Walkercustoms
Date Posted: February 11, 2006 at 7:50 PM
It was a little tough in a SRT-4 but, got it done. When people ask for 1/0 and I tell them what I have to charge for it they go with 4 instead.
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