Hom many Gauges?

**Dima** · 08-30-2001, 11:52 AM

Three questions for all professionals here:
1)I'm running 10G primary wire for my system(about 12A used by all components).Now I'm going to add a subwoofer to the system (the amplifier for the sub is rated for 300W RMS).Can I still use my 10G wire,or should I get a bigger one?
2)I'm running my negative wire directly to the car battery (this wire is not connected to the chasis of the car).I always thought that way is better than just grounding it to the chasis of the car,but some guy that works in installations said that is much better only to ground it to the car,and not to run it back to the battery. What do you guys think?
3)Is this right that negative wire should be more bigger than positive, I mean,more Gauges?
Exuse me for my poor engish

**Aaron Cake** · 08-31-2001, 09:42 AM

10AWG is pretty big, but if you are pulling peaks of 30A from your battery for your subwoofer, I would go a few sizes larger.

It is best to keep your ground as short as possible, thus, grounding to the chassis instead of the battery (I have mine grounded to the battery with no problems, but do as I say, not as I do

).

Positive and negative should be the same thickness. Actually, negative can be thinner because some power is dissipated as heat. But keep them the same size...

**radioman193** · 08-31-2001, 11:00 AM

YOU Shuld Be USE 8Awg or better!

I Use 0Awg in my ride!!!

**mikeinsanmarcos** · 08-31-2001, 11:13 AM

bigger wire = less resistance = lower voltage drop = better (assuming you use the same quality of wire) I use 4AWG running thru a 50 Amp Circuit Breaker for positive and a short piece of 4AWG to a good grounding point (scrape the paint and use a starwasher). The metal of the car is typically a much lower resistance connection to the negative terminal than running a seperate wire... All connections must be extremely tight and dirt free or you will get voltage drop across the connection and that can cause grounding problems (noise occurs when there is a voltage potential difference between the ground on your different components).

[ 08-31-2001: Message edited by: mikeinsanmarcos ]

**Arby** · 08-31-2001, 01:05 PM

Heh... a circuit breaker in a car

That's a great idea. If you trip it, just reset. No need to replace fuses!

**mikeinsanmarcos** · 08-31-2001, 02:55 PM

Yah, I have had my breaker for about a five years now and it really makes things easy... It is really nice when you are wanting to do anything to your stereo (or carputer if being fed), you can just push a button to cut power.

Here is a link:
http://www.bussauto.com/circuit_prot...ges/hiamp.html