4 or 8 gauge wire for 600 watt amp?
 

I'm getting ready to install a system on my boat, nothing crazy and just wanted to know for power and ground what size wire do I need for a 600 watt amp? 4 or 8 gauge? Thanks

This is the chart I have always used, and I have never had problems with it.

It says to go with 4GA.

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

Thicker the better. Go with the 4; maybe even 2. The distance from the battery, especially as we run across when installing in boats like we do; drastically affects the power delivered to the amp. I had to re-run a power wire to my capacitor and 3 amps for this reason. PITA.

thanks for the help guys that website helps a ton! I thought I would need 8 gauge but I was wrong I need 4, once again thanks!

If it was me, I would use a 1/0 Power and Ground wire. A good one with with at least 1000 stranding, not cheap PVC wire with 100 to 200 strands. JMO.

And a tinned copper conductor would be a good idea too.

8 gauge if your going like a couple of feet thats what I got and no problems. Anything more than a couple of feet get the bigger wire.

Ive always run 1 gauge from my batteries to my capacitor then 4 gauge out to my amps. Alot of people dont realize that how you wire your system is just as important as the equipment you install.

I just went with 4-gauge from the battery to the distribution fuse block. (a run of about 18 feet total). From the block to the amp and stereo, I used 4-gauge (VERY short runs of a few inches each). I am only pushing a 300-watt RMS JL amp and an Alpine head unit with that. Also went front to back with new 4-gauge grounding wire and tied in my grounding blocks to it. Use thick quality copper connectors, not the cheap/cheezy chrome connectors.

Length of your wire is just as important as the load in determining wire size. There is no, "I just run xxxx" w/o knowing the length.
As is if the wire will be bundled with others and if it runs thru the engine compartment. Will have some effect when getting to the upper of the scale.

Got another important question!! lol I bought my 4 gauge wire but I just realized my crimping tool is too small for that big a wire. What is everyone using to crimp wires that big? Is there a special tool I can buy anywhere like home depot?

solder

Might think about running a larger capacity wire if there is a chance in the future you will be upgrading, that way you only have to do all this work once!

Use crimp connectors with epoxy heat shrink. Amp makes a tool my guys use. It is expensive though. Will crimp from 2-8 gauge. Solder works also just have to be sure you get good heat transfer. I do not think home depot sells them. We buy ours from Wards Marine Electric in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

You need a TS-1080 Crimp tool, about $160, They don't make Shrink terminals above 8 GA, So you will need to use shrink tubing.

I have used copper battery cable ends & soldered the wire with a vice & torch then heat shrink the end. Also I found using dielectric silicone on all connections to prevent corrosion at the terminals. just an idea, Randy

If you want a perfect crimp you can buy a tool, but I can tell you from experience if you hit it with a hammer or put it in a vice and put shrink tubing over it (with adhesive) You will have a good connection.

What size hole is in it?


Those 1000watt Mindblower Amps only draw 1000milliamps:drink:

Also that heavy wire support it like every 12in ,It will flop in the waves,I would go with the tin plated stuff,it want turn green.


I used the gold plated/ stuff with the norm car copper style wire,I'm surprised its holding up like 4 years now.







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I was talking about mounting the terminal in a vice, heat the terminal to melt the solder & insert the wire. You can get shrink tube with glue inside it that makes the connection water tight. I had an amp setup in the engine compartment before it got stolen, they were kind enough to unscrew the terminals & after 4 yrs no corrosion with the dielectric silicone. Randy

you cant try to get big gauge stuff at HD or lowes, it wont be in the cool guy colors but you also wont get ripped on price like you do from monster. If your not going to see it who cares

don't solder any connections going in a boat, soldering makes them solid and more likely to break from the vibration. Use tinned wire and marine grade connectors properly crimped with heat shrink tubing to cover the connection. I use the same crimper as the in Strip Poker 388's picture works great got it on Amazon.

I tend to agree with connectors and proper crimping. Use shrink tube with glue and silicon to keep the connections from corroding. I have always run 1/0 gauge from batteries for both hot and ground, it means you do it right once and never do it again. Just my $.02 that way you can change that 600w amp out for a 1000-2000w amp and never worry.

Buy your wire from Guinedealz. Nothing but marine grade tinned and very flexible. Best prices too! Order it today, have it in 2 days.