Just bought a new amp, distribution block and wiring. Now I have questions. - Page 4

Maheriano · 08-14-2006, 01:37 AM

Ya, I might have to buy online, sucks to have to wait for shipping.

2k1Toaster · 08-14-2006, 01:40 AM

I buy everything online... or at walmart. Much cheaper, usually even with overnight shipping, it still comes out cheaper.

Maheriano · 08-17-2006, 03:29 PM

I got everything and started installing today. After snaking the 4 gauge wire around everything and hiding it, I ended up using the full 18 feet of wire, but I have a new question. Can I ground the 2 amps on 8 gauge wire? Since they both have 8 gauge going to them from the distribution block, I can ground them on 8 gauge right? And there's a 40 amp fuse in one and a 25 amp fuse in the other amp, and the 8 gauge wire can hold a max of 52 amps, so it should be fine right?

2k1Toaster · 08-17-2006, 04:02 PM

Good rule of thumb is ground using same or bigger awg wire. You should be fine.

I I hope you mean ground each amp with 8awg wire, not sharing 1 8awg wire.

Maheriano · 08-17-2006, 04:50 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Good rule of thumb is ground using same or bigger awg wire. You should be fine.

I I hope you mean ground each amp with 8awg wire, not sharing 1 8awg wire.

haha ya, each amp to the same bolt with 2 different 8 gauge wires. I realized today the MTX amp only accepts 8 gauge, I didn't even clue in when someone told me that a week ago.
By the way, I'm having a hell of a time crimping the ring terminal on the 4 gauge wire!

blkwrx · 08-17-2006, 06:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Maheriano

By the way, I'm having a hell of a time crimping the ring terminal on the 4 gauge wire!

Vice Grips

2k1Toaster · 08-17-2006, 10:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Maheriano

By the way, I'm having a hell of a time crimping the ring terminal on the 4 gauge wire!

Well for my 4awg when I put on a ring terminal, I just smashed it really hard with a hammer.

Always works!

Maheriano · 08-18-2006, 01:12 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Well for my 4awg when I put on a ring terminal, I just smashed it really hard with a hammer.

Always works!

That's hilarious, that's what I resorted to today! The wire was already run through the firewall so it wouldn't reach the ground. But I was parked in my underground parkade next to a wall so I just used the concrete wall to lay it against while I smashed it with the hammer.

In one day I pulled all the 8 gauge power wire, ran the 4 gauge, got the fuseholder mounted, and the distribution block mounted. This morning I'm going to attempt to work on running the 8 gauge to the amps, grounding the second amp, getting the ring terminal on the 4 gauge and figuring out which wire in my Ampie is remote lead. Then I have to clear about 140 tools and garbage out of my car.

2k1Toaster · 08-18-2006, 01:16 AM

Sounds like you are almost there.

Got to admit, In the beginning I didn't think it would ever happen after reading some of your first posts. But it seems as if you have learned, so you are forgiven.

Maheriano · 08-18-2006, 02:04 PM

Thanks man. It's the curse of having to know why.
I'll post pictures when I'm done.

Maheriano · 08-19-2006, 12:06 AM

I just spent the entire day trying to open one of the ring terminals I hammered shut and then it fell off the wire. I'm going to use the 4 gauge wire to ground the Rockford amp, why not right? Might as well.

jschrauwen · 08-19-2006, 02:52 AM

When possible, I prefer to put the ring terminal in a vice, and secure wire into it while closing the vice. I'll vice crimp it secure enough to keep it from wanting to slip off. I'll solder and heatshrink all of my terminal connections to finish off. Never had one fall off yet.

Maheriano · 08-19-2006, 12:47 PM

One last question. How do I hook the subwoofer to a 2 channel amplifier? It's got +/- for speaker A and the same for B. I looked in the manual, it just says for single speaker setup, to hook it to the speaker A terminals, but won't I lose whatever bass is supposed to be going to speaker B in 2 channel sound? I don't know if that single speaker setup they were describing was for a subwoofer or just one speaker.

RedGTiVR6 · 08-19-2006, 05:17 PM

If it's telling you to hook it to connect a single speaker to a single channel, the amplifier apparently isn't bridgeable.

In the owners manual, there should be something that tells you how to wire in mono or bridged mode.

It's probably something like A+ and B- (it could be reversed - that's why you need to check the manual).

What brand and model is this amplifier?

Curry · 08-19-2006, 05:26 PM

Instead of using crimp terminals wouldn't those terminals that use the allen screws work as well? Thats what I used for my 0 and 4 guage wiring... Unless theres a good reason for not using them aside from them being almost 5 bucks each.

Like these from stinger: