YOU PICKED YOUR AMPS DON’T BE CHEAP ON THE POWER SUPPLY!

Building a car audio system involves numerous interconnected factors—it's like a spider web, where adjusting one element affects everything else. A common challenge is selecting the right size and type of power wire. This choice is crucial, as it involves not only considerable expense and weight but also complex calculations based on the specifications of your amplifiers. Let's start by exploring the reasons behind these requirements. If you have further questions, we're here to help you choose the right materials for your setup, ensuring you get it right the first time.

Understanding Wire Gauge (AWG)

The American Wire Gauge (AWG) system is crucial in determining the thickness of the wires used in your car audio system. The thickness of the wire affects its resistance and ability to carry current without overheating. For car audio, choosing the right AWG is essential to handle the power output of your amplifiers:

Lower AWG number means thicker wire: Thicker wires (lower AWG number) can carry more current, which is essential for high-power amplifiers. For example, a 4 AWG wire is thicker and can handle more current than an 8 AWG wire.

Power demands: Amplifiers with higher wattage require thicker wires to cope with the increased current. For instance, an amplifier with a 1000-watt output might need a 4 AWG wire, whereas a 500-watt amplifier could be sufficiently served by an 8 AWG wire. But to confuse the selection more you need to know how your amp is designed to take the power. Not all amps are design to use the power coming in the same way.

Calculating the Correct Wire Length

The length of the wire running from your battery to the amplifier should be as short as feasible to minimize potential voltage drops and power loss. However, in practical applications, the wire must often traverse various distances within a vehicle. Here’s how to manage this:

Measure accurately: Before purchasing, measure the path the wire will take from the battery to the amplifier. Avoid unnecessarily long wires to prevent voltage drops.

Consider wire resistance: Longer wires have higher resistance. If your wire run exceeds 15 feet, consider using a thicker wire to compensate for the increase in resistance.

Selecting the Right Fuse Rating

Fuses are critical safety components that protect your audio system and vehicle from electrical fires and other damage due to overcurrent conditions. Here’s how to select the correct fuse rating:

Fuse at the battery: Always install a fuse within 18 inches of your battery terminal. This fuse should match or slightly exceed the current carrying capacity of your main power wire.

Fuses after wire splits: If your power wire splits to supply multiple amplifiers, ensure each lead has an appropriately rated fuse after the split.

Calculating fuse size: The fuse rating should be based on the maximum current draw of the amplifier and the capacity of the wire. For instance, if an amplifier draws a maximum of 50 amps, a fuse rated slightly higher (e.g., 60 amps) should be used to provide a safety margin while preventing nuisance blows.

Handling Wire Through Metal Panels

When routing wires through metal panels (such as the firewall), it’s critical to protect the wire from potential damage:

Use grommets: Always use grommets when passing wires through metal panels to prevent the insulation from being cut by sharp metal edges. This protection is crucial to avoid short circuits.

Using High-Quality Power Cable:
100% OFC

When selecting power cables for your audio system, always opt for 100% Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) cables. Here’s why OFC cables are superior:

 Reduced Resistance: OFC wires have a lower resistance than standard copper or copper-clad aluminum (CCA) wires. This means they can carry more current without significant power loss, making them ideal for high-power audio systems.

Corrosion Resistance: Oxygen-free copper is less prone to oxidation. This reduces the risk of corrosion over time, maintaining the integrity of your connections and ensuring consistent performance.

Enhanced Durability: The purity of OFC wires makes them more flexible and durable, which is particularly important when routing wires through tight spaces in a vehicle.

High Strand Count

Cables with a high number of thin strands are preferable for car audio applications due to their flexibility and efficiency in conducting electricity:

Flexibility: High-strand-count cables are more flexible, making them easier to install, especially in tight or complex car interiors.

Improved Conductivity: More strands within the cable mean a larger surface area for conducting electricity, which helps in efficiently transmitting power to the amplifiers.

Proper Crimping Techniques

Use the Right Crimping Tools: Invest in a high-quality crimping tool that matches the connectors you are using. Proper crimping tools will ensure that the connection is secure and won’t loosen over time, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your audio system.

Ensure a Tight Fit: Proper crimping involves compressing the connector onto the wire with enough force to create a gas-tight seal that prevents oxidation and ensures maximum conductivity. A poorly crimped connector can lead to high resistance, potential overheating, and failure of the audio system.

This section involves complex considerations, but the good news is if you prefer not to delve into these details yourself, you can simply contact Advanced Car Audio Solutions. We are here to assist you in selecting the right materials for your audio system, ensuring you have everything you need for a perfect setup.