Splicing power wire? EDIT: Now I have problems

**AltimateX** · 11-04-2008, 03:20 PM

Blah, I finally got an amp again for my sub and want to hook it up. One problem: I don't have a splitter for the power wire and need to power both the amp and inverter. Can I just split the wire into two smaller ones or do I have to use a splitter. I mean, it should do the same thing right?

I live in a small town and no one sells them here so I'd have to wait for one to come in the mail.

**Disefyl** · 11-04-2008, 03:25 PM

You dont necessecarily have to use a distribution block in your installation as long as the ampacity of the wires is adequate (specifically the wire from the battery to the fork) to carry the required current. A distribution block simplifies the addition/exchange of equipment in the future (And IMO, I think it makes an install look more professional/clean)

**AltimateX** · 11-04-2008, 03:29 PM

Ok, thanks. That's what I thought but wasn't sure.

I'll be sure to get one next time I'm in the city but this will do for now. All my wires are hidden anyway.

**rodweb** · 11-04-2008, 03:39 PM

Your inverter probably sucks as much power as your amp. I would strongly recommend that you run two separate wires from your battery, one for each and ensure they are both fused near the battery.

This site here has a lot of info about wire size and how to calculate the wire size required. Nothing to do with car PC's or Amps though!
http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/

I wired all my stuff in based on this site (fridge, inverter, amp, car PC and more).

The other advantage of this is that your reduce the likleihood that the inverter will introduce hum into your audio.

**AltimateX** · 11-04-2008, 05:18 PM

Hey, thanks for the info rodweb.

You said you used the site to wire your fridge. You have a fridge in your ride? I'm guessing like an RV or something right?

EDIT:

Ok, so I spliced the 4ga wire into two 8ga. Now when I turn the volume up the sub goes back and forth really fast and sounds like when a washing machine goes crazy. This is with the inverter off. The amp is only 300 watts. Something is messed up.

EDIT AGAIN:

I just put the wires back and it still acts all crazy.

I used to have my sub inverted and put it back the same time I messed with my wires. The sub was pounding backwards so I switched the speaker leads and that fixed that problem. Could that have damaged my sub and that is the problem? I mean, now that my wires are back to how they were before you would think everything should work. I'm worried.

There is also a whining noise coming from the sub even when the volume is turned all the way down. I can feel it if I touch the sub.

Also, I just noticed if I turn the volume up to the point where the sub goes all wacky and starts pulsating and then turn the volume all the way down, it takes like a second or two for the pulsating to stop. Like there is a delay between turning the volume down and the noise stopping. Odd huh?

**FusionFanatic** · 11-04-2008, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by AltimateX

I don't have a splitter for the power wire and need to power both the amp and inverter. Can I just split the wire into two smaller ones or do I have to use a splitter. I mean, it should do the same thing right?

electrically, yes it will do the same thing. however it is NOT safe. splitting a 4awg cable into two 8awg cables without fuses creates a fire hazard...

whenever you reduce a wire gauge, you MUST fuse the smaller/thinner wire at it's power source (in this case, the power source for the 8awg wire is the 4awg wire). if you don't use a fused distro block then you need to add in-line fuses on each reduced gauge output wire

Originally Posted by AltimateX

I live in a small town and no one sells them here so I'd have to wait for one to come in the mail.

is there a radio shack, best buy, circuit city, or walmart near you? they all sell distro blocks and/or in-line fuse holders that you could use.

**AltimateX** · 11-04-2008, 10:54 PM

The Radio Shack here does not carry them and neither does Wal-Mart unless I buy a whole wiring kit, which I don't need.

I didn't fuse the two smaller 8awg wires but I do have a fuse in my 4awd. Could not have fusing my 8awg have damaged my amp or something? Even after going back to just the 4awg I am having the problems that started after using the 8awg.

**mdawg** · 11-05-2008, 02:13 AM

Strange I picked up a Fused Distro block from walmart...I figured they would carry somewhat close to that same products. A distro block is really useless, you might as well do what you did. A Fused Distro Block is what you want so that you can prevent the cause of a fire and it nicely splits the wire for you.

**AltimateX** · 11-05-2008, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by mdawg

Strange I picked up a Fused Distro block from walmart...I figured they would carry somewhat close to that same products. A distro block is really useless, you might as well do what you did. A Fused Distro Block is what you want so that you can prevent the cause of a fire and it nicely splits the wire for you.

Lol, my small town sucks. Our Wal-Mart has the crappiest automotive section ever.

**Disefyl** · 11-05-2008, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by FusionFanatic

electrically, yes it will do the same thing. however it is NOT safe. splitting a 4awg cable into two 8awg cables without fuses creates a fire hazard...

whenever you reduce a wire gauge, you MUST fuse the smaller/thinner wire at it's power source (in this case, the power source for the 8awg wire is the 4awg wire). if you don't use a fused distro block then you need to add in-line fuses on each reduced gauge output wire

Absolutely, I cant believe I left this part off.