What power cable gauge do I use to hook up a car amplifier? Most amplifier kits appear to be under sized.?

Question

Many of the complete amplifier kits, example rated for a 700 watt amplifier come with a 10 gauge power cable. Many of the gauge charts from the online car audio techs, would recommend a 4 gauge wire, but they sell the amp kits with the 10 gauge. I guess bigger is better, more efficient and safer for the installation, but I would expect them to add some * adjacent to the kit specs with their recommendation.

Answer 1

with that kind of amp go with 8 gauge

Answer 2

Well in this case bigger is most of the time better. I used a 2 gauge for both of my amps. 2 guage is thick enough to handle alot of juice! And your right, 10 guage isnt always the best size for bigger amps. I assume you are talking about a big amp right? My 2 amps, one put out 1600 rms, and my amp for the high's put out 200 rms. And both of these amps ran off of the same power cable with no problems ever. Now if you are going to be running a big amp or amps, dont forget to also help out your cars alternator by also running a DEEP CYCLE battery, and also a recomended 3 farod capasitor! Good luck!!

Answer 3

here is a chart to help you out

http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/S-cT3I...

for subs i would go no smaller than 4gauge

remember that if you want to upgrade in the future you will have to remove all of the old wire if its not thick enough and its more time/cost effective to go with the thicker stuff from the gate and use a distribution block to down size the wire at the amp