I plan on running an Alpine MRD-M501 and MRV-T420. I read the documentation on Alpine's site that said the 501 only neede 8ga. Now this sounded pretty skinny to me for a 550W amp, eventhough it is class D. So in theory I would only need a 4ga amp kit. I was going to get a 2 ga. one to play it safe. Is that actually necessary or just go with a 4ga.

 

2ga is ridiculous. Good luck getting that through the firewall. I suggest using a 4 gauge from your battery to fuse holder to distribution block. Then run 8 gauge from the distribution block into the amps.

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http://www.anythingbox.net

 

I agree with afro's suggestion. I'm currently runing two 4 ga wires (each with it's own fuse) from the battery to power each amp...

 

or you can run a 0 gauge to a distribution block in the car.. than you can add to the limit of the block.

 

good one afropuff i forgot about the tiny hole we have, but still it will be the installers problem not mine, I will install all components and sub but i will leave the hard work, wire running, to him

 

You could run 4 gauge and cut it down to fit in an 8 gauge opening, seen it done, but wasn't impressed. I agree that you should run 4 to a dist block and the run a good 8 gauge. I'm running alpine's biggest 4 channel (700W) on that 8 gauge and its fine. Run a good battery, a CAP would be great, then the 8 gauge is fine.

My 2 cents...

 

It is all based on what speakers you are puttting in. I had the exact same amp and it continually shut down on me supplying to a 2 ohm load.So the wire wouldn't matter because the amp doesn't run.

But anyway, 0/1 guage fits easy enough...do a search, I have posted pictures for the 0/1 install. And like I said on that post, my wife did it, so it is easy.

Wire size is said to be based on wattage,but that is not true...it is based on current. Which goes up as the resistance goes down.

But with your set up, in a stereo config... 4G should be fine.


2004 G35 Coupe 6MT
Volk GT-7's/ TEIN Basics
Falken 245/35/ZR19 & 285/35ZR19
Kinetix Racing Camber Rods/ K&N Typhoon CAI

 

Oh, one more thing...

In the 501, 4G wire fites fine. Check the manual, it says 4-8 guage fits.


2004 G35 Coupe 6MT
Volk GT-7's/ TEIN Basics
Falken 245/35/ZR19 & 285/35ZR19
Kinetix Racing Camber Rods/ K&N Typhoon CAI

 

Just wanted to thank orljml for his "How to run 1/0 gauge wire" post. I used it over the weekend and it couldn't be done any simpler. I didn't run a 1/0 gauge though...ran a 2 gauge to a dist block in the trunk.

Black on Black 5AT Coupe, Navi
Falken Koblenz 19x8.5 F 19x9.5 R
Falken FK-451 245/35 F 285/35 R
HKS Legamax Exhaust
350Z Duct
Stillen Hi Flow
7 Wire Hypergrounding Kit