What cables to get and Where to get them???

Mike69@ECS · 05-07-2002, 01:26 AM

I just picked up a 600 watt (4x150) amp, and I want to get it set up properly.

I figure I'm going to need 4gauge for both power and the ground right? The paperwork that came with the amp reads 4 or 8, but would the 8 be enough??

Where do you guys get you cables? Of course I want good quality and better prices...

I wont be running RCA's just heavy speaker wire (which I already have)

Can anyone help me out here???

[Modified by Mike69, 12:05 PM 5/8/2002]

Kale · 05-07-2002, 01:29 AM

4 is better. I use a Scosche is good. I use a Stinger fuse kit.

Mike69@ECS · 05-07-2002, 01:48 AM

Where do you buy this stuff?

Is it cheaper to just buy the raw cable and the connectors from Radio Shack or should I buy an install kit from crutchfield or the like? (how do thier prices compare?) Every time I look at those kits it just seems like they are ripping you off...

:crazy:

Kale · 05-07-2002, 01:55 AM

locally owned stereo shops.

i got my 8 gauge kit from WAL MART cheap

[Modified by Kale, 10:57 PM 5/6/2002]

mrkln · 05-07-2002, 03:09 AM

I bought all of my stuff from KnuKonceptz.com. It is cheap and looks to be of very good quality. Plus their twisted speaker wire looks really cool. :yesnod:

gcrouse · 05-07-2002, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Where do you buy this stuff?

I just got a trunk mount battery kit from Summit Racing; uses 0-gauge cable- over 1/2" thick. Now that's beefy....

Seriously though- http://www.partsexpress.com sells anything you want in power / audio / speaker cables and connectors; get their catalog.

[Modified by gcrouse, 1:07 AM 5/7/2002]

dba4life · 05-07-2002, 10:27 AM

I found that my local best buy had OK prices on Rockford Fosgate Wires. Still was at $100 for 4 guage wire amp kit, shielded RCA's and thick speaker cable.

Mike69@ECS · 05-07-2002, 11:13 AM

:cool: Thanks Guys.... I'll check those places out...

One More Question.... What size fuse should I use???? The amp has one built in the back, but I assume I should have one in the power line too right? Should it be the same amperage???

_Nomad_ · 05-07-2002, 07:16 PM

Quote:

:cool: Thanks Guys.... I'll check those places out...

One More Question.... What size fuse should I use???? The amp has one built in the back, but I assume I should have one in the power line too right? Should it be the same amperage???

Yes, put an inline fuse no further than 18 inches from the battery. Fuse it at whatever your amp is fused at. You are just running one amp right?

Also, use 4-gauge wire. That will allow you to upgrade at a later time and not have to upgrade your power wire again. Your local audio shop should have all the wire you need. Radio Shack doesn’t carry any power wire over 8-gauge so don’t bother with them. I would also recommend you use an ANL fuse for your battery inline fuse. They are more reliable than AGU fuses are.

Good luck. :seeya

Mike69@ECS · 05-07-2002, 07:20 PM

:cool: Thanks man! I'm going to head outa here in a little while and see what I can find! :smash: :cheers:

92TripleBlack · 05-07-2002, 09:33 PM

Measure. You want to save $$$, measure. Run a string the route you want to run the wires and then add 1 foot for comfort. Remember, they charge by the foot for this stuff so if you buy what you need, you'll save cash. Figure, $ a foot. Since you have a C3 with battery in back I'm guessing, it should be short and cheap. Skip the "amp kits" and get a good quality battery tap, fuse holder, and wire ends. Stinger makes them for $10 each. Actually, you could skip the fuse holder. Its meant to protect you from a live wire the length of the car being broken in event of an accident, etc. Since you don't need to run the length of the car, no need as long as the amp is fused. Stick with 4 gauge. Can't hurt. I like phoenix gold wire. It is high strand and very flexible for going around corners.

[Modified by 92TripleBlack, 7:34 PM 5/7/2002]

Mike69@ECS · 05-07-2002, 11:22 PM

Well I went out and bought one of the Rockford Fosgate wire kits. It's fused 4 wire, (17 damn feet of it!!!) I'll probably use the fuse just for a little additional safety. Nice to know that I could have done with out it tho.

My fist stop was Circut City who wanted 2.50 a foot for 4 amp wire!!! I figure I'll need about 7 total feet. (inc. ground) and they wanted 24.99 for a fuse block! I figured I was almost reatching the price of the kits, and since I would have to hunt down decent spades, I figured the hell with it - I'll just get the kit. It was 52 bucks at Best buy.

I'll pass along - or sell the additional wire to someone else who could use it. :D

dba4life · 05-08-2002, 10:45 AM

That is exactly what I found...and I went with the Rockford kit from Best Buy like you did. Circuit City's prices seemed really high.

Quote:

Well I went out and bought one of the Rockford Fosgate wire kits. It's fused 4 wire, (17 damn feet of it!!!) I'll probably use the fuse just for a little additional safety. Nice to know that I could have done with out it tho.

My fist stop was Circut City who wanted 2.50 a foot for 4 amp wire!!! I figure I'll need about 7 total feet. (inc. ground) and they wanted 24.99 for a fuse block! I figured I was almost reatching the price of the kits, and since I would have to hunt down decent spades, I figured the hell with it - I'll just get the kit. It was 52 bucks at Best buy.

I'll pass along - or sell the additional wire to someone else who could use it. :D

_Nomad_ · 05-08-2002, 05:31 PM

An inline fuse is not solely meant to protect if the wire breaks. It is to protect the wire itself in case a power surge happens, and it is a possibility, you don’t want the wire to melt and start a fire. If your power wire runs farther than 18” from the battery you should fuse it. It’s just a safety precaution that is well worth doing. Your car is too valuable. :yesnod:

Also, next time you need to run wire to hook up an amp (especially since a C3 is a short wire run) just buy the wire at a car audio store not Best Buy or Circuit City. It will be MUCH cheaper and you can get what you need, mix and match components, etc. ;)

92TripleBlack · 05-09-2002, 01:08 AM

Yeah, I agree with the 18" rule. With a C3 though, its probably less than that.

NassBlue · 05-09-2002, 09:49 AM

We sell the Stinger line... Working on the web pages now, If you would like more info give me e buzz :)

Mike69@ECS · 05-09-2002, 12:02 PM

Damn Noel... Youre right around the corner too!!! Oh well, Next time! :cheers:

I'll definately use the fuse. Thanks for the tips guys.... Rex Ruby and I will be doing the install tomorrow... I shoot a couple of pics for you! :cool:

Maybe I'll finally be able to hear the radio over the sidepipes!!!

[Modified by Mike69, 10:05 AM 5/9/2002]

YO-EL · 05-09-2002, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Damn .. Rex Ruby and I will be doing the install tomorrow...

Ummmmm..... Better make that Saturday..... YOU got work Friday, and you better come in so you can pay for all your new sound goodies. :yesnod:

Sam Lin · 05-09-2002, 10:20 PM

I run 4ga wire in all my systems, more simply CANNOT hurt. I go to a local welding shop, the guys there know me well, and I buy 4ga welding cable for about 1/3 the price of the cheapest "car audio" cable I've found. It is not as flexible, but rarely do I need the extreme flex of a car audio cable, and then it's cheaper to just splice a foot of the flex cable in where I need it with a length of brass tube cut for use as a crimp butt connecter. Yes, power and ground must be the same gauge wire.

All other cable, I shop for the cheapest wire for the gauge at SoundDomain and local stereo shops, lowest price wins. Quality doesn't differ any more, most companies are either manufactured by the same manufacturer, or the manufacturers all use the same raw materials now, the only difference is the looks. For speaker wire, anything that's thick enough goes. For RCA, I grab 16ga wire and RCA ends and make my own custom length super-twisted pair.

Sam