amp power wire

[LittleHorse]

the difference in knukonceptz wire types is as follows:

The KLMX is copper clad aluminum, which has less current capacity than copper, which explains why 4 AWG only handles 100A.

kolossus and kolossus flekz are identical internally - oxygen free copper, same size and number of strands but the PVC insulation on the flekz is supposedly more flexible. They are both rated at 105°C, so I don't get why they claim that 4AWG flekz can handle 150A but regular kolossus only handles 120A. For 4 AWG the flekz weighs .2 lbs per ft vs .19 for the standard, and costs 5 cents more per foot.

I don't think I buy the extra current handling capacity, but I'll spend .05/ft more for the flexibility.

 

[josh_m]

My thoughts/experiences with power wire.

Theres no point in running anything bigger then 10 ga if your just running a basic small amp, only doing 200 watts or so. Im running 700 watts RMS, so i need the flow, i used to run 8ga with it, switched to 4ga and now i can hit lower. you only notice a difference when the amp is drawing LOTS of power. For most people wire wont make a difference.

 

[LittleHorse]

My thoughts/experiences with power wire.

Theres no point in running anything bigger then 10 ga if your just running a basic small amp, only doing 200 watts or so. Im running 700 watts RMS, so i need the flow, i used to run 8ga with it, switched to 4ga and now i can hit lower. you only notice a difference when the amp is drawing LOTS of power. For most people wire wont make a difference.

do you consider 1400W RMS lots of power?

 

[Will]

I think a stick welder runs at 70V and mine puts out 230 welding amps. I've welded all day at 180 amps and have had it all the way up welding 1/2" plate. That's 10x more current than your amp--it blows a 240V 30amp breaker anywhere over 150amps welding. In other words, it draws more than a 10,000W water heater because I used to plug it into the same outlet. Now it's in a 240V 50amp outlet and doesn't blow the breaker anymore. I don't know what size cable I am using but it's much smaller than the 2/0 that I wired my winch with. I think it's easy to get carried away with your wiring.

 

[LittleHorse]

I think a stick welder runs at 70V and mine puts out 230 welding amps. I've welded all day at 180 amps and have had it all the way up welding 1/2" plate. That's 10x more current than your amp--it blows a 240V 30amp breaker anywhere over 150amps welding. In other words, it draws more than a 10,000W water heater because I used to plug it into the same outlet. Now it's in a 240V 50amp outlet and doesn't blow the breaker anymore. I don't know what size cable I am using but it's much smaller than the 2/0 that I wired my winch with. I think it's easy to get carried away with your wiring.

10x more current? If I have 1400W RMS worth of amplifiers, power divided by 13 volts is 108A, plus some to account for any inefficiency. And once again that's not RMS, that's peak.

The wiring should be sized at least big enough to handle continuous current up to the rating of the fuse protecting it. Which is why I'm going to order the 4 AWG kolossus or kolossus flekz.

1/0 or 2/0 is overkill for anything under 2000W, maybe even more.

I don't go buy what the car audio industry suggests, I'm going by National Electric Code.

 

[4x4fun]

The wiring should be sized at least big enough to handle continuous current up to the rating of the fuse protecting it.

x 1jabillion

how ever i have 2 ga in my truck with and 80 amp fuse.... i have all sorts of fuses for my truck, from 25 on up to 100 i think maybe 120 but ill never have the upgrade the wires and buy something twice. and i just stwap the fuses per what set up i have running.


but thats just me

 

[LittleHorse]

now just to buy the stuff...but doh! The debit card for my toys account has expired so I had to call the bank to get a new one sent. I wish every online retailer took paypal.

Looks like I'll be wiring everything but the main power wire until then...