Stupid audio question

[tweety2300]

I have a small cheap amp that the power and ground wires are for a 12 or 14 gauge power and ground wires. Can I use regular speaker wire ( with a fuse block of course) for the power and ground? It's only going to power an 8" sub

I was told that I can do this but I am unsure, the sub and amp were free. So if I can cheap out with speaker wire it's fine with me, if not ill go buy real stuff. But to me copper wire is copper wire not sure how it can be that different

 

[sleepwalker]

Personally, I would be wary. Not necessarily of the wire, but of the insulation, which is designed to withstand speaker-level voltages and currents.

In my day job I do failure testing for electrical insulating materials - if there's a UL sticker on it there's a very good chance that my company tested the materials that go in it. I get to use equipment that can generate up to 150,000 volts (AC) to see how much it takes to make the insulation fail. I don't know what sort of insulation they use on speaker wire, but knowing how companies work, I would be nearly certain that speaker wire insulation isn't rated to handle power wire workloads.

You might be able to get away with it, but I'm pretty sure the insulation will fail way before you reach the 25A current necessary to blow that fuse there.

 

[tweety2300]

It's not heavy duty wire by any means. Just cheap 14 gauge from Walmart. Ill just find some used wires

 

[pcb]

I would think that any fatter wire wouldn't heat up enough to compromise the insulation. (maybe just double or triple it up then keep an eye on it. I like cheap and free is the best.)

 

[azuelke]

Please god no don't use speaker wire for your power or grounds! If you are looking for cheap, go with KnuKonceptz. I have been using their wire for years without issue. The smallest they have is 8awg, but please, don't start your car on fire with plain old speaker wire.

 

[whatusername]

hell if u want cheap do what i did many many years ago go to the dollar store and buy 1 them cheap extension cords for $1 or 2 get at least a 25 ft cord cut the ends off and use that... i have done it and had no issues at all (although i use real cable now) and its a cheap way

 

[tweety2300]

I would defiantly rather go buy actual wires than use extension cords, I'm a cheap bastard but not that cheap, anyway I picked up actual 12 gauge wire earlier so it all good

 

[whatusername]

I I'm a cheap bastard but not that cheap, anyway I picked up actual 12 gauge wire earlier so it all good

lol hey man i was broke not cheap n u kno when ur 18 and got ur first beater u get impatient but it worked for the whole 4 months i had the car till the blocked cracked

 

[zackmac]

Please god no don't use speaker wire for your power or grounds! If you are looking for cheap, go with KnuKonceptz. I have been using their wire for years without issue. The smallest they have is 8awg, but please, don't start your car on fire with plain old speaker wire.

This... KnuKonceptz Kolossal wire is the best, none of the CCA crap
i picked up a set of 1/0 gauge wire from them came with 10ft wire 5ft ground

 

[tweety2300]

If you think you can get an 8 gauge wire in there let me know 10 would be pushing it.

 

[kosteniuks17]

I would advise against speaker wire, I would just get a regular copper 10-18 gauge wire and it would work fine. Plus its like 10 bucks, better than 10,000 on a new car after your fire starts.