Too small of amp wire?

veggie-man · Post by **veggie-man** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 5:22 pm

I just bought 8 gage wire (http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_5996.html) for my 400 rms system (its diamond audio so its an accurate RMS). The package said 300 watt right on it so I was wondering…

Do you think I’m going to have a problem with my fuse blowing all the time?
Can I just buy a 16 gage wire and combine it with the 8 gage or would this not work?
Before I install should I return my wire or will it not be THAT big of a problem?

Some of these other websites say I should have gotten 4 gage wire but I didn’t have the extra $20 so I didn’t buy it.

Note: I didn’t want to start a new thread but I didn’t find any that had anything about this.

Post by **GlassWolf** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 5:56 pm

read the faq section on wire size.
read http://www.bcae1.com and find the section labeled "fuses" on the right pane menu.

between those two links, all of your questions are answered.

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 7:35 pm

You are probably right on the high limit IMO.

You can try it if you like. Properly fuse it according to the Ohm you are running at. If the wire feels warm then its just to small.

Its been in my experience that the wire size charts Ive seen are a bit excessive. IE you can get away with more than they are giving credit for.

Now when I say the wire gets warm this is a bad thing. Its being resistive... Not good...

Also keep your ground SHORT. 24" is the standard MAX but I would make it 12" or less if you can.

Post by **GlassWolf** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 8:18 am

power and ground wire size depends on two things mainly, when dealing with multistranded copper wire:
amount of current it will carry and
the length of the cable.
those two factors will determine the proper gauge of wire.

veggie-man · Post by **veggie-man** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:16 pm

KikiTheCat wrote:read the faq section on wire size.
read http://www.bcae1.com and find the section labeled "fuses" on the right pane menu.
between those two links, all of your questions are answered.

Holy crap the link took me a while to read! it did help. Although that link didnt comfort me one bit i'm going to try it anyway... if it doesnt work i guess i'll just have to go up to 4 gage. i'll jsut have to see

joeyc · Post by **joeyc** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:21 pm

http://www.streetwires.com/products/wireGauge.cfm
I use that as a quick guide