choosing what guage power cable to run

[black cali v6]

my system is going to be about 650 watts RMS, plus the distribution block will send wires to run a lcd screen, tv tuner, some led lights, and eventually some neons.

will 4 guage wire be ok? or should i go with 2?


zack

ps: if i got a new alternator, how much would a shop charge to install it?

[ChameleonGreen]

http://www.the12volt.com/wiring/recwirsz.asp

[Camaro3.8L]

4 guage should be plenty. My amp is puttin out twice yours, and I'm running 4 gauge.

About the alternator, I dont know how much it would cost, but I dont think its that hard to install. I'm sure you could do it yourself.

[Reverend_Ezekiel]

4 AWG should be fine!! An alternator is a pretty straight foward installation! Easy if you have the tools!

[black cali v6]

oh ok cool

i dont think i'll do it unless i notice alternator strain....but eventually i'll be running a bunch of neons, in addition to the tv/dvd/amps, and also might put in piaa driving lights that take alot of power so.....

future plan :D

zack

[camarokidd10]

Screw that!! run 0 GAUGE!!!! WHOHOOOOOO!


sike, 4 gauge is good for what you have now. but I ran 0 gauge because I'm planning for the future :D I'm planning on 2 visor tv's, 1 flipdown 13-inch for the back seats, 1000 watts for the stereo, dvd player w/ tv tuner, neons and strobes, and probably much more taht I havent thought about lol

[Backfire]

Don't forget to replace the wire from the alternator to the battery too!! You can run large gauge from your amp to your battery, but leaving the stock alternator wire (8-10 gauge I think) you still have a restriction in the power path. I also see alot of people run large gauge wire from the back, but then they attach it at the juntion box by the battery, leaving the 8 or 10 gauge wire between the junction box and battery [img]graemlins/dunce.gif[/img] You want to have the entire circuit changed to large gauge wire for peak efficiency/energy transmission.

I also replaced the battery ground with 4 gauge and will be doing that with the engine grounds as well. That is probably overkill since there are multiple ground wires, but it can't hurt [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ July 04, 2002: Message edited by: Backfire ]</p>

[MTMike]

4 guage will be fine.. and actually, depending on what the fuse rating of the amp is, you could run as small as 6, or even 8 guage wire. 6 would be the minimum I'd run. 4 will work fine. 4's good up to about 120amps, and at 13.8 volts thats over 1600 watts.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Backfire:
Don't forget to replace the wire from the alternator to the battery too!! You can run large gauge from your amp to your battery, but leaving the stock alternator wire (8-10 gauge I think) you still have a restriction in the power path. I also see alot of people run large gauge wire from the back, but then they attach it at the juntion box by the battery, leaving the 8 or 10 gauge wire between the junction box and battery [img]graemlins/dunce.gif[/img] You want to have the entire circuit changed to large gauge wire for peak efficiency/energy transmission.<hr></blockquote>

This isn't entirely true. Keep your charge wire 8 guage, or it will cause charging problems. I'm not exactly sure why, but my dad (who is an EXPERT) recommends to, regardless of system, 8 agw. charge wire for the alt./battery connection. I'll find out exactly why from him when he's not asleep [img]smile.gif[/img]

You're right about the wire between the jctn block and battery though. Especially if other stuff from the battery is run off the jctn block. I'd go 2awg. from the battery to the jctn. block.

-Mike]

[ July 04, 2002: Message edited by: MTMike ]</p>

[black cali v6]

thanks for all the info guys.

really helps alot [img]smile.gif[/img]

pics up when i finally install everything(whenever that ends up being lol)

zack

[Dominic]

Your alternator is only good for 105amps, period, at MAX OUT CURRENT, and so 8gauge is PLENTY HUGE for the alt to use.

[Backfire]

That is a good point about the max output of the stock alt. being below the current carrying potential of the stock wire [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] It might be an issue for someone with an upgraded alternator though. And based on that link provided, 8-gage is adaquete for 100amps, so it is fine for the stock 105A alternator, but it is by no means "huge".

I replaced mine a while back and haven't seen any problems at all. In fact, I used to see some small fluctuations in voltage with big bass notes, but that is gone now Could be coincidence I guess? I don't know how it would cause charging issues. I didn't replace a regulator or anything, just the run of wire from the terminal on the back of the alternator to the battery positive terminal.

[ July 04, 2002: Message edited by: Backfire ]</p>