What is the difference between 0 and 0/1 gauge wire?

Question

I just bought a 0/1 gauge wire kit (Kicker PKD1)...What is the difference between this size and 0 gauge? Which is better? Obviously this will be sufficient for a system running about 1500 RMS and 3000 peak...Will I need a capacitor? New battery? New alternator?

Thanks

Answer 1

its actually refered to 1/0 gauge cable.

this cable is just about the thickest you can buy for audio systems, and yes, its thicker than 0 gauge cable.

i wouldnt recommend you using a capacitor, they will only "fix" things for a short time and will reduce the life your equipment.

if you have a stock battery, its better to replace it. the best brands out there are Kinetik and PowerMaster. since we do not know what battery you have, we cannot say if you will or will not need one.

same thing goes with the alternator. every vehicle has a different amp rated alternator. some are very small and others are larger in size.

if its an old vehicle or a car, it will be better to upgrade the alternator first. get a H.O. Alternator. they usually are made to different amp ratings.

i would advice you getting the biggest one for your vehicle from the start. because if you cheap out and get a medium size alternator... wait a few weeks.. and then you put it in your vehicle and notice its not strong enough.... i dont think youll be happy. so then you will have to spend money on other stuff to make up for the mistake and one thing leads to another.. u get the point...

go big from the start or go home.

Answer 2

Your wire is plenty big.  Probably too big.  You'll waste power charging the wires.

Most guys do not understand the bit with the capacitor.  Here's the deal:

Music system make huge unexpected power demands from their power sources.  An alternator will put out a lot of power but at a steady rate and can't provide for massive instantaneous power spikes.  This is why high power stereos burn out alternators.  The battery is a good reserve of power but the delivery rate is too slow for high volume music.  The result is insufficient power to slam through bass notes with accuracy.  The sound is soft or muddy.  The capacitor charges up like a battery but has the ability to unload all of its power instantly.  This means that it supplies the sudden massive power needs with ease.  Your base will immediately sound better.  You need a high capacity capacitor.  Something like 500,000 or 1,000,000 m farads.  (Either one farad or one half farad).  You have to be careful with capacitors that big.  When they are charged up they can short out something and make a big electrical explosion.  They can be dangerous.

Answer 3

wire..never heard of 0/1..im assumings it like in between

but you will probably need a new alternator

and a new battery and capacitor will help too

and do the "Big 3" upgrade

Answer 4

http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

This web site explains wire gauges and has a calculator for determining correct size.