Amp/speaker wiring questions

spook4thecia · 01-10-2008, 03:59 PM

I'm currently purchasing all the install materials so that I'm ready to go when I finally get my Rainbow comps. I just ordered Raammat w/ Enosolite, now it's on to cables. (btw amp is Alpine pdx 4.100)

I'll be purchasing my cabling from Knukonceptz. My questions:

What gauge wire do I need for power/ground and speaker wires?

How much speaker wire should I get? (amp under front seat, only powering front stage)

And what amp fuse should I get?

Also, is there anything else I need?

MaXaZoR · 01-10-2008, 06:07 PM

POWER & GROUND: 8 guage if your just running the single PDX, I would upgrade to 4 if you plan on adding a sub late down the road.

SPEAKER WIRE: 14/16 guage is fine I usually buy 100 ft at a time (meaning I'm running wire for tweeter + mids in active, plus I'm running new wires for the rear speakers. If you plan on using the xover and putting them in the doors, you can get by with alot less (say 40ft w/ plenty left over for any mess ups). I don't believe in buying the most expensive speaker wire/RCA a lot of debate on this issue, but I feel your just buying hype and not SQ.

EXTRAS: (Fuses, fuse holder, etc) If using 4 guage use 125 AMP fuse holder, 8 guage use 50 AMP I like ANL over AGU fuse types. Don't forget connectors/ spade connectors

Take your time w/ the Raammat/Ensolite, Rick is awesome any questions ask away.

spook4thecia · 01-11-2008, 04:19 AM

Thanks for your input

Got another one - Can I use left over speaker wire as my remote wire?

MaXaZoR · 01-11-2008, 10:04 AM

Sure, your best bet depending on what gauge your are going with is to just buy an amp install kit. I see alot on Ebay for around $40 shipped. This will include mostly everything you might need.

bikinpunk · 01-11-2008, 10:39 AM

Maxazor covered it pretty well.

I think I'd go ahead and do 4 gauge now though to save yourself the headache later. It's not much more expensive either.

As for RCA's/wire, I'd look here:
monoprice.com
They make their own so it's dirt cheap.

Here's some RCA's for less than $4 for 12ft. For only $2.72 each when QTY 50+ purchased - PREMIUM 2 RCA Plug/2 RCA Plug M/M 22AWG Cable - 12ft | RCA Audio Cables

And 100ft spool of 16gauge speaker wire for less than $14:
For only $12.38 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 16AWG Enhanced Loud Oxygen-Free Copper Speaker Wire Cable - 100ft | 16AWG Loud Speaker Cable

Wire is wire. It may not be as "pretty" as other's, but it works just as well. I use all monoprice's wires for my home stereo setup.

MauiJon · 01-11-2008, 08:10 PM

Thanks guys. The car is less than 6 months old from the dealer so the battery should be good. I just want the car to die during a good song you know :) The 4 gauge power to the trunk at high volume is what's causing this.

bikinpunk · 01-11-2008, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MauiJon

Thanks guys. The car is less than 6 months old from the dealer so the battery should be good. I just want the car to die during a good song you know :) The 4 gauge power to the trunk at high volume is what's causing this.

wtf?

spook4thecia · 01-12-2008, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikinpunk

wtf?

lol greatest thread jack/ miss-post ever

01-10-2008, 03:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
spook4thecia Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Orleans, Southeast of Disorder Posts: 196 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Amp/speaker wiring questions I'm currently purchasing all the install materials so that I'm ready to go when I finally get my Rainbow comps. I just ordered Raammat w/ Enosolite, now it's on to cables. (btw amp is Alpine pdx 4.100) I'll be purchasing my cabling from Knukonceptz. My questions: What gauge wire do I need for power/ground and speaker wires? How much speaker wire should I get? (amp under front seat, only powering front stage) And what amp fuse should I get? Also, is there anything else I need? Last edited by spook4thecia; 01-10-2008 at 04:19 PM.

LinkBacks (?) LinkBack to this Thread: http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/i-c-e-electrical-security-navigation/73072-amp-speaker-wiring-questions.html
Posted By	For	Type	Date
8th Generation Honda Civic Forum	This thread	Refback	01-11-2008 10:07 AM

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Questions	jerhunter	Water Cooler	2896	06-24-2008 12:05 AM
Civic SI amp and speaker questions	RastaD	I.C.E., Electrical, Security, & Navigation	9	05-14-2008 03:35 PM
Powered sub wiring questions	WVUeers	I.C.E., Electrical, Security, & Navigation	11	08-24-2007 11:21 AM
Amplified power through stock wiring?	XSRCivic	I.C.E., Electrical, Security, & Navigation	3	05-04-2007 10:46 PM
wiring questions....	smarsh	I.C.E., Electrical, Security, & Navigation	3	07-14-2006 11:10 AM

01-10-2008, 06:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
MaXaZoR Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North NJ Posts: 547 iTrader: 5 / 100%	POWER & GROUND: 8 guage if your just running the single PDX, I would upgrade to 4 if you plan on adding a sub late down the road. SPEAKER WIRE: 14/16 guage is fine I usually buy 100 ft at a time (meaning I'm running wire for tweeter + mids in active, plus I'm running new wires for the rear speakers. If you plan on using the xover and putting them in the doors, you can get by with alot less (say 40ft w/ plenty left over for any mess ups). I don't believe in buying the most expensive speaker wire/RCA a lot of debate on this issue, but I feel your just buying hype and not SQ. EXTRAS: (Fuses, fuse holder, etc) If using 4 guage use 125 AMP fuse holder, 8 guage use 50 AMP I like ANL over AGU fuse types. Don't forget connectors/ spade connectors Take your time w/ the Raammat/Ensolite, Rick is awesome any questions ask away.

01-11-2008, 04:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
spook4thecia Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Orleans, Southeast of Disorder Posts: 196 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Thanks for your input Got another one - Can I use left over speaker wire as my remote wire?

01-11-2008, 10:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
MaXaZoR Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North NJ Posts: 547 iTrader: 5 / 100%	Sure, your best bet depending on what gauge your are going with is to just buy an amp install kit. I see alot on Ebay for around $40 shipped. This will include mostly everything you might need.

01-11-2008, 10:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
bikinpunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Age: 26 Posts: 3,093 Erin iTrader: 3 / 100%	Maxazor covered it pretty well. I think I'd go ahead and do 4 gauge now though to save yourself the headache later. It's not much more expensive either. As for RCA's/wire, I'd look here: monoprice.com They make their own so it's dirt cheap. Here's some RCA's for less than $4 for 12ft. For only $2.72 each when QTY 50+ purchased - PREMIUM 2 RCA Plug/2 RCA Plug M/M 22AWG Cable - 12ft \| RCA Audio Cables And 100ft spool of 16gauge speaker wire for less than $14: For only $12.38 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 16AWG Enhanced Loud Oxygen-Free Copper Speaker Wire Cable - 100ft \| 16AWG Loud Speaker Cable Wire is wire. It may not be as "pretty" as other's, but it works just as well. I use all monoprice's wires for my home stereo setup.

01-11-2008, 08:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
MauiJon Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Dana Point, CA Posts: 2 Jon iTrader: 0 / 0%	Thanks guys. The car is less than 6 months old from the dealer so the battery should be good. I just want the car to die during a good song you know :) The 4 gauge power to the trunk at high volume is what's causing this.