How long of power wire do i need ?
#1
10-06-2017
#2
10-07-2017
What you use depends on the watts/amps you need at the amplifier and distance from power source to amp
MTX 10 search shows several options
200watt is what I saw for built-in amplifier with sub
Now audio watts are not the same as 12volt power watts, and 200watt rating is peak amp output, so amp will never draw that much, but it still comes out at 16amps at 12volts to be on the safe side.
Chart here for wiring sizes: Amps and Wire Gauge - 12V Circuit
Whole truck is 20ft long, lol, so use 15ft length
20 amps shows 10 gauge, 4 gauge would do 60 amps
Check owners manual for actual amp draw of the amplifier, or look at its fuse rating
Manual will ALWAYS spec 4 gauge to avoid any problems
So it's your money and 4 gauge would be more than enough, but 10 gauge would be fine for 200watt amp at 12v
Since there will be no other 4 gauge(or 10 gauge) wire in the truck, your new wire it will have to run from the battery to the amplifier.
And use MATCHING GAUGE Ground Wire to Cab Body and then matching gauge from engine to Cab firewall, there may already be a large enough Ground strap from head to firewall but MAKE SURE.
Electrical systems need matching wire sizes for ground and power
Use a 20amp fuse at battery end of the wire
Add a subwoofer capacitor at the amplifier end of that wire
This will help prevent damage to your charging system
When the sub hits a very low note there will be a millisecond power draw which your alternator's voltage regulator can not respond to, happens too quickly, so lights will dim and engine spark or fuel injectors can even be effected.
A Capacitor stores voltage short term, so will help smooth out those millisecond power demands
MTX 10 search shows several options
200watt is what I saw for built-in amplifier with sub
Now audio watts are not the same as 12volt power watts, and 200watt rating is peak amp output, so amp will never draw that much, but it still comes out at 16amps at 12volts to be on the safe side.
Chart here for wiring sizes: Amps and Wire Gauge - 12V Circuit
Whole truck is 20ft long, lol, so use 15ft length
20 amps shows 10 gauge, 4 gauge would do 60 amps
Check owners manual for actual amp draw of the amplifier, or look at its fuse rating
Manual will ALWAYS spec 4 gauge to avoid any problems
So it's your money and 4 gauge would be more than enough, but 10 gauge would be fine for 200watt amp at 12v
Since there will be no other 4 gauge(or 10 gauge) wire in the truck, your new wire it will have to run from the battery to the amplifier.
And use MATCHING GAUGE Ground Wire to Cab Body and then matching gauge from engine to Cab firewall, there may already be a large enough Ground strap from head to firewall but MAKE SURE.
Electrical systems need matching wire sizes for ground and power
Use a 20amp fuse at battery end of the wire
Add a subwoofer capacitor at the amplifier end of that wire
This will help prevent damage to your charging system
When the sub hits a very low note there will be a millisecond power draw which your alternator's voltage regulator can not respond to, happens too quickly, so lights will dim and engine spark or fuel injectors can even be effected.
A Capacitor stores voltage short term, so will help smooth out those millisecond power demands
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