Can you limit power draw through smaller wire? (no, bad idea for reference)

**nik12937** · 11-06-2010

I doubt the amp is overheating only because the fuse on my power wire is only a 20A, a crappy maxi fuse, maybe that's the culprit? Because it doesn't shut the amp off or show any sign of the amp being the problem.

The amp is 1ohm stereo stable, and it can be bridged with a second amp for 1800 watts rms, here's the model: Kenwood KAC-9104D Mono subwoofer amplifier 900 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms at Crutchfield.com

It just doesn't seem like it would be the amp because it seems like a solid build, I would think that 900 watts (max rms, enoug to overheat the amp) would be pulling more than 20A, maybe more like 50ish? And that would make the fuse blow long before.

Once I get the new wire (if it turns out to be "4 gauge" like, 8 gauge with thick insulation, then I'll just run two wires) I'll set the gain properly and just use the bass boost on my HU is I really want more punch, I'll keep it off at the amp.

**I800C0LLECT** · 11-07-2010

Your amplifier is NOT STEREO STABLE AT 1ohm.

Stereo requires a L and R channel. That means two channels. You have a mono/single channel amp. It is stable at 1ohm but because your power supply is regulated it doesn't put out any extra power. Therefore, wire for 2ohm because there is a slight advantage and it NEVER makes sense to wire for lower impedance unless you gain power for a specific application/purpose that usually isn't music related.

If you were pulling more than 20amps then it would blow the fuse. How long is the 8awg?

Wait...you wanted more punch too? Most people don't know this but your midrange defines the characteristics or sound of the subwoofer(bass). Being out of phase can kill the midrange and sub too. Try swapping phase by reversing + and - wires on the sub or amp...amp is probably easier.

**nik12937** · 11-09-2010

Aha, I completely forgot this was only a monoblock, I saw the L and R inputs and I got all excited (jumped to conclusions). The 8awg came with a wiring kit and it was 17 feet... man I need that 4awg to come, now.

My mids sound good (much better since they only have to put out enough bass to fill in the low mids), and I completely forgot about phasing, the HU actually has phase control (albeit only 0 or 180), but I'll see what happens when I switch it and if it makes a difference I'll adjust it through the amp.

**tc300** · 11-10-2010

Originally Posted by bio248

youre not supposed to limit current by the wire or fusing. If youre doing that, youre already doing it wrong.

exactly!!

**izup69** · 11-12-2010

Ill tell you this I got 2 l7's 2008 series pushing about 1500 rms and I mean true rms. I just got my system hooked back up after haveing it uninstalled for a while and I have not put my powercap back in. My lights look like they are strobes when my bass hits and it dont have to hit hard at all for em to dim like hell. Just wait and spend the money on 1/0 gauge wire and set it up right. If your not going to do it right dont do it at all it will just screw your car up. If u run that small wire it will burn the wire up 4awg is good but ur gunna loose a bit of power though it going to that amp. You can find good wire kits online suprisingly on ebay I got mine for 75 bucks thought it would be cheap wire thick insulation on it. Was I ever rong It only came with 17 foot not enuf for me to run to my cap and back to my amp so I got some more 1/0from my local shop. Its true 1/0 from jl audio and its the same as the sht I got on ebay

**nik12937** · 11-15-2010

I'll def invest in some when I have the money, for the big 3 as well for when I get a HO alternator.

I actually took the subs out of the box today and the guy who had it before my sister's boyfriend had each speaker wired to 4-ohms, and the way I had it set up, the two subs were in series as well, so 8-ohms?!

I rewired them to 1-ohm each, then in series to 2-ohms, turned off all the bass boost, and WOW.

The speakers actually have decent sound quality for Kickers (the box is tuned really low too, about 30Hz, it's a HUGE enclosure), and now they REALLY PUNCH. People in my backseat were complaining it felt like they were having a heart attack, haha.