[Autobot]

I am getting an Alpine PDX-2.150 amp that I am going to be using to power 2 earthquake sws subs under the seats, to keep with the OEM look. But I have a question when comes with the wiring aspect of it.

On Alpines webpage ( http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...odel=PDX-2.150 ) it states that 4 gauge wire is recommended for the install for the ground and power wires. I was thinking of using 8 because I think the 4 gauge is overkill, but maybe I am incorrect, I don't know. The other thing I was wondering is what size fuse should I run on whatever gauge that I end up using?

Should I just get a random Amp install kit from wherever? Or can anyone recommend one.

If some of you audiophiles could help out it would be appreciated, Thanks

[aro818]

You can pickup one of these wiring kits off ebay..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Earth...ayphotohosting

or any wiring kit that you prefer... Don't something too cheap cuz the fuses usually suck and the wires might melt.

BTW its never to bad to have more than enough... 4 guage might be an overkill.. but your safe with it..

make sure you get something long enough to run + from your battery and ground from your fuse box. Get good RCA cables and speaker + - cables for the best quality.

[VP Electricity]

Dude, you should just RTM. You don't need an audiophile to tell you that.

Why are you putting 150W to an 8"?

[Autobot]

Man that one looks pretty good, Is that 150 AMP fuse a bit high though? Wouldn't the wires burn before that fuse blew?

Are those wires for the RCA and speaker cables ok or should I get like 8 or 10 gauge Monster wire for the speakers and some other kind of RCA?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by Autobot

I am getting an Alpine PDX-2.150 amp that I am going to be using to power 2 earthquake sws subs under the seats, to keep with the OEM look. But I have a question when comes with the wiring aspect of it.

On Alpines webpage ( http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...odel=PDX-2.150 ) it states that 4 gauge wire is recommended for the install for the ground and power wires. I was thinking of using 8 because I think the 4 gauge is overkill, but maybe I am incorrect, I don't know. The other thing I was wondering is what size fuse should I run on whatever gauge that I end up using?

Should I just get a random Amp install kit from wherever? Or can anyone recommend one.

If some of you audiophiles could help out it would be appreciated, Thanks

That link tells you that the minimum wire gauge for this amp is 6...

You could use a 30A fuse for this application.

[aro818]

if you have the 150A fuse.. what will happen is if some sort of short comes along it will throw the fuse regardless.. + you have fuses on the amp to protect it there just incase the power fuse does not throw.

I think your ok with 16 guage for the speakers since your only running 150W. Just get some good RCA cables for sound quality.

[Autobot]

Originally Posted by Technic

That link tells you that the minimum wire gauge for this amp is 6...

You could use a 30A fuse for this application.

Sorry Crutchfied says 4.
I'm not going to but what would happen if I used a 8 Gauge? Just curious since car audio is really a new learning curve for me.

So if I were to use this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...233671347&rd=1, should I get a 30A fuse? Or is what aro818 saying correct?

*Not doubting you aro818, just know a little more about Technic's knowledge on the subject that's all*

[tintivilus]

You should always size a mains fuse to the wire you're running, not necessarily to the device you're powering. In this case, the fuse in the amp is the amp's failsafe, where the mains fuse is the wiring's failsafe. If you have a wiring short the amp fuse never sees it.

some Googling suggests that 4AWG wire is max 135A, where 8AWG wire is max 70A... but if your amp doesn't need that much power, feel free to use a smaller fuse. Never use a mains fuse with a higher rating than the smallest cable it's protecting.

[aro818]

I think technic is right about using a 30A fuse for the application if you want to be on the safe side just in case anything goes wrong.

Tintivilus is also correct.

I personally had a 2000W system powered by a 6 guage wire and it worked fine. Nothing would really happen with the lower guage wire since your only pushing 150W.

[scooby9]

If you go with the smaller gauge you might not get all the jam from the amp that you need. Nothing bad will happen, it's just that the amp won't get all the juice for max power if called upon. There are variables such as length and quality of power cable too but I'd go with the 4 gauge based on the amp that you are considering.

Originally Posted by Autobot

Sorry Crutchfied says 4.
I'm not going to but what would happen if I used a 8 Gauge? Just curious since car audio is really a new learning curve for me.

So if I were to use this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...233671347&rd=1, should I get a 30A fuse? Or is what aro818 saying correct?

*Not doubting you aro818, just know a little more about Technic's knowledge on the subject that's all*

[kaigoss69]

My gut tells me 8 gauge would be more than enough, even if the battery was in the front. This site confirms it: [URL="http://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp"]