Ground wire keeps catching fire?

Question

I've got a 1600w amp, 4 gauge power wire and a 10 gauge ground. Problem is, after about 30 minutes of bass, my d**n wire keeps catching on fire. What size ground should I be running?

Answer 1

4 ga. and keep it as short as possible and securely bolted to bare metal.

Answer 2

The ground should ALWAYS match the power wire.  Im not sure how many amps you are pulling, but I would guess you have at least 40 amps (unless its true 1600 RMS then you are pulling 120 amps or so) pulling through that 10 gauge ground.  If thats the case, the 10 gauge ground is ONLY good for 30 amps TOPS and its Copper is breaking down, Overheating the PVC to the point that it combusts.  I suggest upgrading the ground wire to match the power wire.  ALso keep an eye on your alternator ground wire, it may be too small as well and can do the SAME THING if you are pulling too many amps through it... that is if you have upgraded you alternator to accommodate for the new demand... and no, Farad Capacitors do not help.

Answer 3

ok your ground wire should always be the same size as your ground if not a size bigger! people say ground it to the frame but thats not nessicary honestly. ground it to a seat bolt or any metal surface in your vehicle. todays vehicles have so many ground straps going from the body to the frame it's not even funny.

Answer 4

TRY A 2 GAUGE GROUND WIRE, ALSO GOUND IT TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE.  MAKE SURE IT'S SHORTER THAN YOUR POWER WIRE.

Answer 5

go with a 4 gauge ground and make sure that it is not touching nothing else that should work.

Answer 6

lol. 10 guage is WAAAYYYYY too small. GO with as big a wire as you can fit in the amp.

probably a 4