A Guide for Amplifier Installation and Adjustment

What exactly do you do when it comes to installing and tweaking an amplifier? Every person who purchases one probably asks this question, but if you plan to “do it yourself” some retailers won’t offer many suggestions because they’re not doing the work. In any event, there are many factors to consider when installing an amp, some of which we’ll cover in this issue.

One of the most important factors is the gauge size (AWG) of the wire for your positive (+) and negative (-) terminations: The positive and negative wires should be of the same gauge (AWG). As a veteran would say, you can’t fill with a fire hose and empty with a straw!

The first thing you must do is calculate the total current draw of all your amplifiers, which is done by adding the recommended fuse sizes for each amp that are provided by the manufacturer. For example, if you have two amplifiers, one drawing 30 amps and the other drawing 40 amps for a total draw of 70 amps, the recommended wire size would be a minimum of
4AWG wire, The higher the total amperage of your amplifiers, the thicker the wire gauge should be. Always use an inline fuse or a circuit breaker within 18 inches from the battery on the positive wire, and never replace the amplifier’s recommended fuse size with a higher rated fuse.

Any amplifier rated less than 50 amps should have a minimum of an 8 AWG wire from the battery to the amplifier. If you are using multiple amplifiers, always use the next larger of gauge wire from the battery to the back of the car. It is then recommended a fused distribution block be used to route the p ower to each of the multiple amplifiers. The negative wire does not have to be connected It the battery. In fact, it is better to use a ground distribution block if you have multiple amplifiers.

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