Sub Wire Gauge

[ScottnAshley]

Hey I just got my 1200 watt amp and it didn't come with big enough wires. I have a 10 inch Audiobahn 600watt rms continouise and 1200 watt max I just need to know what gauge wire do I need. I think I need a 10g or bigger. Thanks

[Ghettokracker71]

What kind of wires are you looking to run? Power/ground wires? Speaker wire?

For power/ground wires,you want to definitely run AT LEAST 4 gauge for 1,200 watts dude.

12AWG should be good for speaker wire;any more questions just reply and I'll see what I can do:)

I just finished up my install of two 12's in my fastback:ylsuper

[ayjay]

ya if you're talking about power wire, you're gonna want 2 gauge for 1200W. if you're talking about speaker wire for your sub, use 12 gauge like Ghetto already said...

[ScottnAshley]

Thanks fo ryour guys help... My cars battery already died holy crap! I had normal speaker wire from amp to sub wonder why i was getting no thump I guess my alt is bad i drove for an hour and started to hear a large hummmmm humm kinda sounded like a turbo the further up in rpms the higher the sound humm hummm. I guess im asking what is happening? I have no capasitor. I seen people run subs with no capasitor forever. So any insight would be cool. Thanks!

[Rex]

A good resource (beyond this great forum ) is http://www.the12volt.com

[Silvia2b]

A weak battery will die with an increased load, such as adding amplifiers. The sound could have been caused by the battery losing its ability to filter AC noise from the Altenator as it was draining.

[ScottnAshley]

Well im trying to recharge it but it looks as if its not excepting teh charge. Good thing i got warrentee. ****ty crap batteries from discount auto parts blah!

[ayjay]

well i found some pretty good info on capacitors... still couldn't figure out if they actually do help with headlight dimming

http://www.canadiancaraudio.com/ubb/ult ... 263#000000

[Ghettokracker71]

How do they not? Do you know how they (caps) actually work?

Either way,they do help. Trust me:)

Scottnashley:If you run a stiff cap. make sure its at least a 1 farad.I personally would run 1.2 or 1.5 with 1200w.

[ScottnAshley]

Ok i think something wasnt tight enough. well i checked over all wiring and then rehooked up sub bridged to 2 channels and the other two channels are the backs. Its bumping liek crazy now i dunno how it fixed itsself maybe it was confused? Well now i just need help on tuning the thing. How can i make the sub bump but have the inside speakers lower for just sound and no distortion. thanks after this ill be set and ready to listen to rock on it muhahaa

[Silvia2b]

O.K.. Here is my suggestion for setup and tuning of a 4 channel amp configured to run two subs off two of the channels bridged, and two rear speakers as midrange of the remaining channels stereo. 1. First turn off the key and stereo, then un-plug the RCA inputs from your head unit that provide the sublevel signal to the amp at the amp terminals insulate them so the don’t touch anything. 2. Next start by looking at your x-over settings for the rear speaker channels set them for HP or high pass, so the will only play the upper frequencies. 100hz is a good starting point. Turn the gain, or input sensitivity all the way to the minimum setting. Now you are ready to start audibly tuning the rear speakers.3. Turn on the key to the Acc position, and turn you head unit on. Pop in a disc that you are thoroughly familiar with and is a high quality recording. Allow it to start playing if you can hear some output form the rear speakers your on the right track if not check your fader controls or your balance. (If you have a head unit with 3 pre-out sets, front, Rear, and Sub/ non-fading it usually work better.) Start gradually increasing the volume until you start to hear those rear speakers distort or sound funny, then turn it down slightly or 2 notches on the volume scale. Leave everything on! Go to the amp terminals and prepare to set the gain for the rear speakers.4. on the amplifier locate the gain for the rear speaker channels, make sure you have the appropriate tool to make this adjustment, many require a small flat blade screwdriver less than 2” long with a tip that is 1/8” wide. Insert it in to the pod and start tuning in the direction that increases the sensitivity (volume gets louder). Keep turning until you hear the rear speakers start making distortion, and then turn it back down just a little. 5. repeat these steps for the sub channels, with the RCA inputs unplugged for the rear speakers. !!!(Remember to turn off the equipment before you start disconnecting any of the connections.)!!!