Car Audio Power Wire - Do's & Dont's for a BETTER SYSTEM!
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- When you install a custom car audio system you need to add another power wire to connect your battery and alternator to the new aftermarket amplifiers and other new gear. But if you make common mistakes you can loose hundreds of watts of power output... What wire should we use, how large should wire be, and more in this "Car Audio Power Wire - Do's and Don'ts" Video.
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Thanks for tuning in! Don't forget I have a ton of video content focused on advanced electrical topics for designing your system right in the "Car Audio Electrical Playlist" that you can find here: ua-cam.com/video/u4E0ui8yeI8/v-deo.html Thanks dudes!
Hello can i ask you an question ,lets say i have an normal AGM Battery "Tudor TK600" and it have lost power due to forgotten the minus terminal on the battery for 2-3 times and the battery it self broke/discharged to much ,can that do so it cause so my all 4 speakers + sub give out "crackled sounds" and hear the music aswell played by an Usb-stick?.
It have work fine for 2.5 years until now.
Since i have a mono amp and single 12 with 4 gauge CCA power and ground, if I have a voltage drop, I have a smart charging system (gm vehicle) 13.3 to 13.5 volts in the spring and summer (13.8-14.0 volts with lights on), Winter 14.0-15.0 volts. Can I do the the big 3 to get the power loss of CCA wire back?
@@seangowan7441 don't know if anybody responded to you but here's a couple tips,, first is if your amp requires 4 gauge you need to go up to 0/0 CCA. Wire,,, especially if your equipment is premium,, I had the same problem,,, upgrade the factory wires making sure to go through all the factory loops,,, there are voltage sensors in the loops they tell the alternator what to do from 2006 and up GM cars,,, and in CCA wire that I threw away because there was a voltage drop from my alternator to four batteries in the back the CCA did not allow enough amperage to keep all my batteries charged no problems now
Instablaster.
I need help with what to do and not do when routing the amp power wire through the vehicle interior, can you make a video?
I have learned more in the last four months watching your videos than I have in 28 years of loving bass!! Getting ready to fully upgrade my system with a custom box and amp rack. Thank you Mark for being awesome!!
I always recommend wiring with 1/0 gauge OFC even if it's overkill . They'll eventually want to upgrade to more power or a second amp and if they didn't do 1/0 they'd end up paying more to upgrade later on . I always show them my box of old wire . Buy once cry once 😆.
I second this. Build a solid foundation. 1/0 OFC should handle around 3,000 watts. Why buy some 8 gauge CCA and spend the time installing it, only to later on have to spend more money on some 4 gauge OFC and spend the time ripping out the 8 gauge and installing the 4 gauge, only to possibly rip THAT out and install 1/0 OFC? Spend the extra few dollars on some "overkill" 1/0 OFC and not have to worry about moving up from 500W subs to 1000W to 1500W..
Thanks for having the least obnoxious video sponsor segments on the Internet Mark! They're helpful, have an explanation about why you'd use the product, are relevant to your channel and are always nicely segued into...
Knukonceptz is the top of the line for mobil wires, besides i doubt anybody
Else makes the wire they sell, let alone it's a passion for for them.
Welding cable makes great power cables. Designed for high current and abrasion resistance, all copper, flexable, and solderable. I solder all my connections and heat shrink/ seal them. Kits are nice from the outside, but I can make some better installations by going ala-carte for my supplies. Don't forget adding a negative cable of the same size from the battery. I see that left out all the time.
I know this is old, but I used welding cable from battery to battery in the back.
@@JamesBond-oc4gmme too and I even found welding cable that was 1800 strand so it’s extremely flexible !!
I basically had free welding cable for like 15 years working industrial maintenance. If MSHA or OSHA would show up on site out of the blue.... panic would ensue...lol.
We'd all be grabbing welding cable and extension cords with any kind of knick in them and throwing them in the back of the work truck.
I've used it exclusively for all my car audio stuff.... we would go through so much welding lead it was unbelievable. Especially arc gouging. Boss would just give us thousands of feet of it and tell us to go scrap it for beer. It was a laid back badass company for real.
@@metalbill so replace the battery’s direct negative cable with 1/0 gauge as well??
@@sergiob9146 yes
I'm putting another aftermarket system in my truck and I've been binge watching your videos. I already had a good idea of most of this stuff but thank you! Lots of good content here and well explained. And yes I was they guy back in the day cranking up my gain making my subs louder 🥴
You have the best videos! Anyone can build whatever system they want with your detailed instructions. Thanks for everything!
Luckily, my research actually started with you and your dads NOX! The quality of my install is all because of you man. I think it turned out pretty good. Now I want to drain my wallet at Mobile Solutions so I can build a custom box lol.
Good vid. I was a professional installer for about 15 years of my life... Every install got better and better. I cannot recommend enough the tips shown here.
Some of my wires for my install were smaller gauge so i compensated by doubling and tripling up the wires and tinning the ends together i checked resistance and works mint also looks cool.
Just placed an order with Knuconcepts for all my wire, dist. Block and inline fuse. The pricing was incredible for what you get. Thank you Mark!!!
Have used Knu concepts for over 5 years! Fantastic products. You won’t be disappointed
Thank you for all of your help over the years keep up the good work Bass brother.....I thought I knew alot but I learn alot when I watch and view your vids...Thx again Mark...
You should definitely touch on welding cable when it comes to power and grounds. Along with dual inputs/reducers
KnuKonceptz is the bomb. Been buying my amp install supplies from them for 15 plus years.
Always OFC. Never cheap out on my wires.
5+ years for me, never using anything else!
Your information could be a course taught as a class... thank you for making great videos... I could have used them 25years ago... LOL
I use welding cable for everything except runs from amps to speakers. Welding cable is pure copper, usually OFC, and made for harsh environments. The manufacturers have to follow strict guidelines for the cable/wire, or it wont even make it to the shelves to be sold, unlike car audio wire. Always go with the biggest wire you can (within reason), due to upgrades that may happen in the future. I'm currently swapping out 1/0 car audio wire for 4/0 welding cable, for my Big 3 and system power. Doing this will future proof things for any upgrades that may happen for me. I should ever have to run new power wire which will save time and money
Good information on CCA. I still can't believe that crap is on the market. Aluminum degrades and gets brittle which causes it to have a decrease in conductive property over time. You also need to seal the end when you cut the wire with dielectric grease and you can't over tighten ferrules and if you are just shoving the wire into the connector, you cant over torque. Just avoid it. I'm just getting back into car audio because I purchased an economy car for commuting with a poor audio system... I keep reading reviews about people burning up their amps or their amps running hot... its probably because they are under sizing their power cable, using poor quality cable or using a poor ground.
If I have learned one valuable lesson over the years of installing, that having ya sub amps on a different power wire vs ya mids & highs amps will make a HUGE difference!~
I don't work at Knu Konceptz, but have to say after using them I do like the quality of the components especially for the price. My only complaint being their spelling. lol.
Great refresher when running wires. Love the channel!
Of course this gets uploaded after I just ran my wires 😬 i hope I didn't screw anything up haha
So, how’d ya do? Lol
right? i did my system on xmas break n i just see this now, it sounds great, so i must did sumthin right lol
God damn it I hate when things like that happen
Me too, already installed 1/0 cca from skar and its core size VERY close to my old copper 4 gauge. I think its fake 1/0
@@southern_merican Most likely. Should have saved the time and money and went straight 1/0 OFC
That is seriously a nice wiring kit... it actually brought a tear to my eye... nice.
Just got a KNUCONCEPTS 0 gauge wire set today. Amazing value. It came with one of the most heavy duty fuses I've ever seen lol.
gonna be using it on my American bass 15 inch 2400rms 3800 peak, and my scar 2000d.
Should work rather nicely :) Very nice quality.
bruh you gonna need 4/0 wire or a few runs of 1/0 to push 4400 watts rms/640ish amps
Naw, 2/0 ofc should do just fine. But you better get a 2nd battery minimum
I've always used welding cable, it's super flexible and very durable as welders work in tight spaces and very harsh conditions. Sometimes it's a little cheaper too.
Lemme just say KnuKonceptz wire is so buttery soft and flexible. I will never use another company again, thanks for the recommendation
I used a bunch of 2/0 welding cable for grounds and power, then car audio 1/0 wire for my 1500w subwoofer and 4 gauge for 400w 4 channel amp, I might not have used the best OFC wire but I think it should still be acceptable!
I bought both the Knukonceptz distribution block (KNF-60) and inline fuse holder based on one of your recommendations in another video.
Love your do and don’t videos! I’m always curious how many dont’s I’m currently doing 🤣
Thanks Mark... for your time and patience!!!
I love knukonceptz . Their wires are thick
And insulation is nice
And you can get stuff if cool colors
My research mainly came from you... but one thing I’m still wanting for a video on: Battery to trunk relocation with big 3(or4) upgrade for future system install if not with system already.
I’ve already done mine with my engine wire tuck but I failed at making it look clean and now has 2 different power wires to the alternator with no fuse there as I don’t know what can handle the heat????
SAVE ME! 😂
6:50 Thought you were going to skip that point. Great video! Maybe add some math to show voltage drop of full-spec OFC vs CCA at 17-18ft length. Just to highlight that the difference is not slight. Also, maybe mention Galvanic corrosion of CCA? Tis real and I'm sure we've all seen the wire turn to dust.
firebirdude2 You are correct! I would add CCA is fine for jumper cables but flat out dangerous for car audio. The repeated hot cold cycles will eventually turn CCA to dust as you pointed out and at that point there's a very real risk of fire. CCA is crap, junk, garbage and should never be used in a car audio system. CCA nearly cost a very good friend his car. Anyone that reads this anf still uses CCA, you have been warned.
Been subscribed for years, keep up the excellent work and education. You’re a great teacher, breaking things down but keeping it interesting.
I’ve been watching your video for years, I’ve have learned a lot from your video and wait to learn more. What are your thoughts on using welding wires for the the big three.
I subscribed. Nothing substantial for me in this video but I know the links you mentioned will have some gems I wish I knew sooner. Thank you.
This guy is my new superhero lol jk. But this quality of knowledge you're spreading is unprecedented bro. Thanks!
Thanks for turning me on to KnuKonceptz!!!!!!!
In a big 3 wire upgrade, would you recommend to fuse the battery power wire that runs to the alternator? If so, would you fuse to the alternator amp or to the wire size?
It would be dope to see an OFC vs Welding Cable video.
Welding wire is ofc
@@midnight873He means car audio wire vs welding wire
It was 1996, I installed everything (CD deck/amp/subs) myself in my first car as a teen. My first car a mint grandma owned 85 Monte Carlo, caught on fire while I was driving it and burnt to the ground. I learned the hard way. Oddly I went on to a field of electronics for my profession. Please don't catch your car on fire.
Question, running rca's and power wire together, does that cause issues? I heard people say both so I don't know which to believe.
That’s the wiring kit I just bought. Very happy with my purchase.
Love you're videos I've really learned a lot by watching them thanks Mark
Hi, can I use a car audio power wire for big three upgrade? Thanks
I just always used 1/0 welding cable to a distribution block, then Purdy colored #6 to each of my MTX pro 752 x 3.
Probably a small tip on wires if You are on a budget but still want the quality.
Dunno how it is in the states, but here in EU OFC can be even 10 times more expensive - in the car audio field that is.. Now imagine this - a basic minimum standard wire for welding has to be at least 95% + pure copper and it goes for roughly 1-2$ for a meter of it.
That basically speaks for itself :) Cheers, keep up the good work :)
Budget or not....WELDING WIRE IS SUPERIOR over MOST car audio power wire. Thumbs up brother!
Going from the walmart amp kit to these better known amp kits is night and day.
I'm glad all my vehicles have the batteries in the truck. Keeps my OFC costs down. :)
You mean trunk? 😄
Never found a kit that was worth it
Do any grounds go back to the negative on the battery or only the chassis
What do you call that braided sleeve that protects your power wire in the engine bay?
Nice ! Thanks from BRAZIL
Just bought $220 worth of gear through the knuconceptz link.
Kord Ultra Flex 12 Gauge Speaker Wire 100'
Kolossus Fleks Kable 4 Gauge Red Power Wire - 25ft
Kolossus Fleks Kable 4 Gauge Black Power Wire - 15ft
Bassik Negative Battery Terminal
Bassik Positive Battery Terminal
Top Post Adapter - Negative
Top Post Adapter - Positive
Kord Ultra Flex 10 Gauge Speaker Wire - 15ft
KnuKonceptz Tinned Copper 4 Gauge Crimp Ring Terminal - Red 10 quantity
KnuKonceptz Tinned Copper 4 Gauge Crimp Ring Terminal - Black 10 quantity
Firewall Rubber Grommet 4 Gauge - 4 quantity
Krystal Kable 2 Channel 4M Twisted Pair RCA Cable - 2 quantity
In-Line Waterproof Mini-ANL Fuse Holder With 150A Fuse
Thanks for sharing all the knowledge brotha! 👍🏽👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Great information, especially explaining tinned OFC wire -thanks!
is it good to go from a 2awg(35mm) cable to a 8awg(10mm) cable or better to have a 2awg cable to a reducer that has an 8awg end to it
I have a 3200 watt amplifier and a 2400 watt amplifier. What type of cable should I use?
Do you have to use a DSP unit when running 2 amps?
Tapping into the factory amp wires what size is best
this is my next upgrade... good video as always... thanx man!
Clicked on buy it now, for a “ Stinger SK6241 4 Awg” last night.
Gonna run one amp, and in future a small mono amp for sub.
Hope it’ll be ok.
If it's "real Stinger wire" than oh hell ya you will be fine but if you bought it online especially off Amazon more than likely no it's not , that's the wire coming out of China and other countries , this wire for whatever reason has stinger branded on it but definitely not true stinger wire , it's the same as buying the cca wire just cheap stuff not true stinger wire , so when I held true Stinger wire in one hand and in the other the fake stinger wire u can tell first of by the weight and second by the flex in the wire , that true Stinger wire is kinda hard to flex and heavy but great luck to u and I hope u get the tru stuff tho , I've been there and got takin once before
1st great vid!
2nd if the amplifier only requires a 4 gauge for power cable, can I use a 0 gauge instead of a 4 gauge? Are there any positive or negative using it? Also, what guage of ground cable I must use? Thanks
@WeAreWatching Yu thank you!
Get a 0 gauge to a 4 gauge reducer
That’s why everyone should be using AWG sizing
Most of the world uses mm² sizing
@@mcpluttIn United States of America AWG is wire sizing standard.
Quite simply OFC Copper wire (silver tinged so won't turn green) which is good for marine use over any CCA type wire will produce less heat going into your amplifier. And if it's good enough for a boat, it is more than good enough for your car. But OFC wire can be 30 - 40 degrees cooler than CCA wire. Important for good amplifier operation.
Where can I get the plastic base yiu use to mount amplifiers
I definitely made the wire routing mistake because I couldn't find where the hole was where the wire was supposed to be routed. I'm running another wire for a solar panel charge controller soon and I'll see if I can move everything to its proper place... I probably just missed something
Can you a 4 guage wire from the battery to the amplifier?
just got a free amp, box and sub set, gonna set it up soon enough
Hi there. What do you think of running wire under the vehicle and then into the cabin? I mean, to run 🏃♂️ 4/0 through the firewall then under the carpet a bit difficult. Thanks
Dude.....you're an audio wiz God!
Added benefit to watching this. I realize I need to upgrade the wire for my inverter.
Can you make a video on the does and don'ts of amp power wire routing?
it would have been nice to talk about mecp standards and diminishing returns with running larger then needed wire....and how much you can lose or gain wattage wise depend on the size of wire
That would have doubled the length of this video. Calculations and more advanced topics are within the playlist I linked: ua-cam.com/video/u4E0ui8yeI8/v-deo.html
I went with knukonceptz basic 0 gauge CCA kit for my installation. 1200 watt rms amp running 4 kenwood excelon 10 inch in a 2 ft sealed enclosure.
Oh hey, that install kit's the exact one I used for my dual amp 4ch+2ch-woofer setup.
Was a really nice kit, glad you choose them :)
-Amp has 2000w stickers all over it.
-You go out and buy $$$$$ 150A wire (2000/14.4 = 138A)
* *amp has 30A fuse on it when you take it out of the box*
Every Boss audio product ever lmaooo
@@_JoeMomma hahahahaha just checked, it actually has 25A fuse :p
Awdangit!
@@gplusgplus2286 oh dang a 25A fuse? watch out that's some serious power its pushing there lmao
Can running the power wire through the factory cable trays cause an interference with sensors? E.g a fuel sensor
I highly doubt it but possibly
My CCA wire reaches my trunk. My OFC wire only reaches under the driver seat which I’m not a huge fan of mounting amps under seats. Is OFC wire that much better that I should just mount my amp under the seat?
I literally ordered that amp kit earlier today. Lol how funny.
Thanks for taking time to explain this!
How can I get the lc2i speaker ends where the wires connected in to those nobs
Why does the kit come with 20ft of 12awg speaker wire (which looks positive) but no negative speaker wire?
Can I run the 2/0 copper ofc power cable next to the amps rca cables? I got all high end cables if that matters.
Damn this is great information the more I watch I'm like Amen brother.
If you live in an area where there is alot of humidity will it matter due to lots of moisture in the air.
Good. Idea. What’s a good crimping tool for 8awg to 12awg and interchangeable dies
Can i power the 720 w amp (2 speakers and one subwoofer) by normal 12v wire from car appliances the problem i can't ran wire from battery.
If i do i will lose amp power or i will damage the electric system?
Is 10g CCA wire okay for a sound ordnance b-8ptd powered subwoofer?
If I was to install a lc2i in my 2019 bmw m4 what size wires is best to use for let's say a pioneer 1000 amp
I have on hand (2) 4 gauge (Fosgate) wiring kits. Can / Should I run two sets of 4 gauge wires down the vehicle to my (2) amplifiers? Is it ok if the wires are close (heat)? Should I completely abandon the idea? I thought I could both 4 gauge wires so they don't touch and having two separate firewall grommets. Is this a bad idea?
Can u use a thicker wire even if the amp is weak or will it blow the 25amp fuse if the wire is too thick?
This is irrelevant to your video, but is there someplace that sells 2” threaded speaker ports? I have an application where I need something like this.
I have a KnuKonceptz 4 guage cca kit installed and hooked up to a Toro Tech amp powering a Skar SDR-18 and I get 14.48 Volts on a stock alt and a Rural King battery and no Voltage drop when the bass hits
_ Chrispy _ nice, I have the 4ga kollosal kit. Been using Knukonceptz since the early 2000’s!!! My only recommendation for wiring.
What is your advice on putting an aftermarket audio system in a 2006 acura rl (the radio is integrated into the ac controller and alot of other bs)
Check out the audio control LC2i which allows you to tap into your factory speaker wires to convert into RCA to add aftermarket amps subs etc this is the way I am going to improve my Jaguar system same integrated AC and BS in radio.
I run the Fulltiltaudio OFC 1/0.
Best wire i ever ran
Hey mark didn’t you do a how to set up a 3 amp system video???🤔
Great video very educational!
I have x2 amps 2250wrms and 600w rms,x2 500w rms subs and x1 1000w rms sub and another batt im using 8 gauge for power and ground and for the extra battery positive is that ok or should a go bigger the cables dont even get warm and the system is loud. both amps are connected the the main batt.
Gonna send this to my friend.
I was going to do a sub install for him but I stopped right when I opened the cargo compartment.
I swear to god, once I saw how he ran the wires, I wondered how the hell that car haven't caught on fire
Needles to say, I said those wires needs to be ran and secured properly.
His power distrubution was just two 12g daisy chained between 2 amps.
Damn.
2 runs of 1/0 or more? I have 370 amp js alt, 4 xs d2400 batteries in the trunk, and a nvx 500 amp smart battery isolator. Hope its enough 😂 i have Rockford fosgate 1/0 2 runs