Wires size for my Kenwood amp (1000w peak)

[Jaldar]

Hi!

I have a Kenwood (KAC-8151D):

Spec:
-------------------
Max Power Output
-------------------
1000 W (PEAK) 1

-----------------------
Rated Power Output
-----------------------
(4 Ω) 200 W (RMS) 1
(2 Ω) 400 W (RMS) 1

This amplifier power 2 subwoofers (spec: 600 watts Peak each (300 watts RMS each)). My amp has a fuse of 40amp.

What wire size should I use? I'am thinking about the 8 GA wires.


Thank you.

 

[chuyler1]

If you plan on adding a second amp in the future I would plan ahead and buy 4 GA...but for now you are fine with with 8GA.

 

[Jaldar]

If you plan on adding a second amp in the future I would plan ahead and buy 4 GA...but for now you are fine with with 8GA.

Thanks for you awnser! I have more questions:

- How do you determine what wire size should someone use?

- Also, I have dimming lights each time the bass give a big hit. Is it myground or my wires size (I have 8 GA)?. Should I buy a capacitor?

Thank you.

 

[1sty]

Thanks for you awnser! I have more questions:

- How do you determine what wire size should someone use?

- Also, I have dimming lights each time the bass give a big hit. Is it myground or my wires size (I have 8 GA)?. Should I buy a capacitor?

Thank you.

- By the amplifiers amperage draw. (RMS power)/12 = Amperage draw
In your case thats 33.33 amps so 8 gauge will handle it. I like to run 8 gauge for up to 40 amps, 4 gauge for up to 100 amps, and after that 2 or 1/0.

IASCA would use the below chart:

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD> </TD><TD class=example>
Length of run (in feet)Current 0-4 4-7 7-10 10-13 13-16 16-19 19-22 22-28 0-20A 14 12 12 10 10 8 8 8 20-35A 12 10 8 8 6 6 6 4 35-50A 10 8 8 6 6 4 4 4 50-65A 8 8 6 4 4 4 4 2 65-85A 6 6 4 4 2 2 2 0 85-105A 6 6 4 2 2 2 2 0105-125A 4 4 4 2 2 0 0 0125-150A 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 00</PRE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P>This is a bit paranoid compared to the typical engineering table so its usualy ok to go left a column.


- You can try one if its to help the head light dimming, it will not stop it. You will need a good quality 1 farad cap. Stick to a maker like stinger or Monstercable and only use the cylindrical ones. I would HIGHLY suggest borrowing one from a buddy or something and see if it helps at all before spending money on one. Typicly they do neat nothing.

Also, you may want to just go to a 4 gauge ground and then do a set of new 4 gauge ground cables from the negative battery terminal, to the body, and to the engine.

 

[Jaldar]

- By the amplifiers amperage draw. (RMS power)/12 = Amperage draw
In your case thats 33.33 amps so 8 gauge will handle it. I like to run 8 gauge for up to 40 amps, 4 gauge for up to 100 amps, and after that 2 or 1/0.

IASCA would use the below chart:

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD> </TD><TD class=example>
Length of run (in feet)Current 0-4 4-7 7-10 10-13 13-16 16-19 19-22 22-28 0-20A 14 12 12 10 10 8 8 8 20-35A 12 10 8 8 6 6 6 4 35-50A 10 8 8 6 6 4 4 4 50-65A 8 8 6 4 4 4 4 2 65-85A 6 6 4 4 2 2 2 0 85-105A 6 6 4 2 2 2 2 0105-125A 4 4 4 2 2 0 0 0125-150A 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 00</PRE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P>This is a bit paranoid compared to the typical engineering table so its usualy ok to go left a column.


- You can try one if its to help the head light dimming, it will not stop it. You will need a good quality 1 farad cap. Stick to a maker like stinger or Monstercable and only use the cylindrical ones. I would HIGHLY suggest borrowing one from a buddy or something and see if it helps at all before spending money on one. Typicly they do neat nothing.

Also, you may want to just go to a 4 gauge ground and then do a set of new 4 gauge ground cables from the negative battery terminal, to the body, and to the engine.

Thank you for you anwser!
-What is the difference between cylindrical capacitor and a cap that is not cylindrical?

- Also, Is it better to have multiple 4 ga ground when all my audio system is wired with 8 ga?

- Finaly, is it ok to have a 3 farad cap for a 1000 watts peak system? (is it too much: will it cause problem?)

Thank you

 

[chuyler1]

I think the rule of thumb for caps was to have 1f per 500w but people have been questioning the necessity of caps the past few years. 5-10 years ago installers wouldn't even consider not putting a cap in. Now, most just upgrade the battery and leave it at that.

You could use multiple 4ga wires for an install but with only a 1000w, one will be fine.

All of your other questions about capacitors can be answered on this page:
http://www.bcae1.com/capacitr.htm
Read up!

 

[Jaldar]

I think the rule of thumb for caps was to have 1f per 500w but people have been questioning the necessity of caps the past few years. 5-10 years ago installers wouldn't even consider not putting a cap in. Now, most just upgrade the battery and leave it at that.

You could use multiple 4ga wires for an install but with only a 1000w, one will be fine.

All of your other questions about capacitors can be answered on this page:
http://www.bcae1.com/capacitr.htm
Read up!

ok thank you.

Oh and one more question: do I need a distribution block or I can wire my capacitor directly to my battery and amp?

And do I NEED to ground my capacitor at the SAME place that my amp ground?

 

[chuyler1]

Usually you place the cap in-line with the positive cable going to the amp and ground it with a separate wire to the same location the amp is grounded.

 

[Jaldar]

Thank you all!

I have two more questions:

-What is the difference between a cylindrical capacitor and a cap that is not cylindrical?

- Finaly, is it ok to have a 3 farad cap for a 1000 watts peak system? (is it too much: will it cause any problem?)

Thank you
Rick

 

[chuyler1]

http://www.bcae1.com/capacitr.htm