I was just wondering if this looks right.

I just bought a second amp for my 6x9's and was wondering if i can hook up the 2 amps like this.

Im pretty sure i can because resisters in paralell have the same voltage but split the current but just wanted to know if its the same for amps :confused:

The amps are 400W 2 channel and the other one is 400W 4 channel. The cable i am using now is just one of those extension cables from a house because i like the way it has 3 wires already in there for the positive, ground and remote :)

Would i have to get thicker wire ?

you could do that , but you would probably experience Voltage drop..
Is your Current Power wire 4 gauge or 8 gauge ???

you could do that , but you would probably experience Voltage drop..
Is your Current Power wire 4 gauge or 8 gauge ???

I wouldnt have a clue. I am just using one of those extension for ac appliances.

You need proper power cables for amps, as in thick cables, especially for 2 amps, don't use cut up ac cables, the proper ones you should be using are around 5-10 times thicker than the ones you think of using, which is not enough power.

goto jay car, 8 gauge is absolute minimum that you should use, and that's pushing it heaps, so best be safe and go 4 gauge, cos the others are priced exponentially more so pfft.

But that set up looks right, i hope that you plan on using distrubution blocks where the positive splits up and you fuse them... Right? Right???

You need proper power cables for amps, as in thick cables, especially for 2 amps, don't use cut up ac cables, the proper ones you should be using are around 5-10 times thicker than the ones you think of using, which is not enough power.

goto jay car, 8 gauge is absolute minimum that you should use, and that's pushing it heaps, so best be safe and go 4 gauge, cos the others are priced exponentially more so pfft.

But that set up looks right, i hope that you plan on using distrubution blocks where the positive splits up and you fuse them... Right? Right???

yeah i will do it properly this time.

Im going to replace all my wires with good stuff. I have to replace the ****ty carpet glued on the rear dash anyways (i bought some of that carpet stuff from the salvage and the sun has made it go all crumbly)

I was going to do it today but the weather sucks.

just please get rid of the ac power cable you are using now. You will find that once you install the propper cables your system will sound louder and much better.

nice and sunny here!! :D

Tell me though... Ive been questioning this ever since I did my system...

I got told I needed 4 guage minimum running two 2x150WRMS amps. One for splits, the other for a sub (this one is bridged to 1x500WRMS).
Ok, so I was told I needed 4gauge min (I went 2 gauge in the end sor bling and less voltage drop) for 2 2x150WRMS amps. But the splits are rated at 120WRMS... and its ok to run 18-16guage wire to them...??? Im confused...
My thoughts...(running amps and splits @ full power)
Current to amps = (150+500)W/13V = 50Amps RMS
Current to splits = 120W/4V = 30Amps RMS
I assume the voltage to the splits is 4V as thats whats coming out of the preouts from my HU. If its lower it would mean even more power.
So why do I have to use 4gauge to amps but only 18guage to splits??

Sorry to hijack your thread, but I asked similar questions to you, and in the end I went for massive power cables to be safe, but was still a little confused and unsure as to the logic.

Pete

The cable i am using now is just one of those extension cables from a house because i like the way it has 3 wires already in there for the positive, ground and remote :)

Would i have to get thicker wire ?

what the? Mate go to jaycar and buy a distribution block and also get some 4 guage wire to run from the battery to the distribution block and then 2 lengths of 8 guage wire to run from the distribution block to each amp and youy will be laughing.

Another thing i assume you are running the ground wire from the battery if you are using household extension cord. This is a mega no no, buy another 2 lengths of 4 guage wire to earth each amp to the body of the car and you will be talking.

enjoy your audio dude
jaz

nice and sunny here!! :D

Tell me though... Ive been questioning this ever since I did my system...

I got told I needed 4 guage minimum running two 2x150WRMS amps. One for splits, the other for a sub (this one is bridged to 1x500WRMS).
Ok, so I was told I needed 4gauge min (I went 2 gauge in the end sor bling and less voltage drop) for 2 2x150WRMS amps. But the splits are rated at 120WRMS... and its ok to run 18-16guage wire to them...??? Im confused...
My thoughts...(running amps and splits @ full power)
Current to amps = (150+500)W/13V = 50Amps RMS
Current to splits = 120W/4V = 30Amps RMS
I assume the voltage to the splits is 4V as thats whats coming out of the preouts from my HU. If its lower it would mean even more power.
So why do I have to use 4gauge to amps but only 18guage to splits??

Sorry to hijack your thread, but I asked similar questions to you, and in the end I went for massive power cables to be safe, but was still a little confused and unsure as to the logic.

Pete
I'm no idea about the logic of it, But thats what i have always been told anyway, buy everyone including audio shop guys.
So 18gauge cable to your slpits is fine.

(good question but not shore of the exact answer)

I'm no idea about the logic of it, But thats what i have always been told anyway, buy everyone including audio shop guys.
So 18gauge cable to your slpits is fine.

(good question but not shore of the exact answer)

Too bad if it isnt! Its all wired in and there is no way im pulling it out! Ive got 2gauge from battery to distro, and 4guage to amps and ground. Speaker cable is 16gauge.

The actual power(signal) that gets to your speakers is very different to the power (current) coming into the amp.

18/16 gauge is fine for splits.

4ga is fine to run two amps.

please explain the diff?? Cause thats where im getting confused...

Ok, here's the story as I understand it.

The amps are run from 12V DC as per your car electrics and charging system. As this is direct current, it requires a decent size cable to prevent it heating up when high amps are passed through it, it also means that over a cable run from your battery to the amps, there is less voltage drop. Look at jumper cables for example, the bigger and thicker they are, the better.

The music output from your amps to the speakers is a constantly changing set of analogue sound waves and are similar to the AC power that you get in your house, this means that there is not a huge current passing through them and hence do not need to be as thick as your power cables. In house cabling for example, a high load device such as a cooker runs off a 6mm cable (possibly a 10 mm if needed) and this is still only a fraction of the size of a 4 or 2-guage DC power cable.

I would say you've probably been lucky to get away with your current set up without having problems or even a fire...... (talking about using mains cable to power your amp with 12V)

'CLUNK'!!! Thats makes perfect sense!!

One is DC current and the other is AC!!! Duh why didnt I think of that before!! :confused: And im the one with an advanced diploma in electronics!! :headbange

Thanks for clearing that up.
Cheers
Pete

lol electronics diploma! :p

And amps are also very inneficient, they convert lots of energy into heat.

Peace

Tim

Sorry to hijack thread, but im currently running 8 gu to a 4 x 50w amp (response brand :D). THey say the pwer cable is rated to 56amp, so if i were to put a second amp in there, with the combine amps of fuses being 50, would it be fine or shud i get 4 gu to be safe

Wire Gauge - Fuse Size
2/0 gauge - 430 amps
0 gauge - 345 amps
1 gauge - 265 amps
2 gauge - 215 amps
4 gauge - 135 amps
6 gauge - 80 amps
8 gauge - 55 amps
10 gauge - 30 amps
12 gauge - 20 amps
14 gauge - 15 amps
16 gauge - 7.5 amps

8 Gauge is getting to the limits, I'd go 4 just to be on the safe side.

Yeah, I was thinking of just using 4 gu to a distro block

Dude for the love of god stop using AC cable now!
That **** is way too thin, i'm surprised the cable hasn't melted yet.

Dude for the love of god stop using AC cable now!
That **** is way too thin, i'm surprised the cable hasn't melted yet.

Well, i dont see why it would melt I never blast it so it wont really be drawing too much current but i will definately get an amp kit when i can. I whent into a car audio store and it was $50. I was going to buy 4 guage wire but the guy wanted $15 per meter.

Jaycar mate, if you don't wanna spend on more expensive branded stuff, go jay car, around $7-8 a meter? I'm not sure i don't use their stuff

WTF!!! extension cables for TWO amps!!!? :shock: :shock: :shock:
if you see smoke it wont be worn valve stem seals

Well, i dont see why it would melt I never blast it so it wont really be drawing too much current but i will definately get an amp kit when i can. I whent into a car audio store and it was $50. I was going to buy 4 guage wire but the guy wanted $15 per meter.

Dude replace that **** soon......Like howsabout right now.......Even if you don't want to pay premium price for the cable.. find a welding supplies store....and ask for some 8g or 6g wire, it will work just as well as the 'flashier' brands, without the bling bling. Also, its a hella cheap then getting amp kits.

*ouch*

I paid $12/meter for 2gauge from jaycar!