Speaker and Amp Wire

[kgower]

Looking for some guidance. I's my understanding that you should use 4 or 6 gauge wire for amps and 14 or 16 gauge for speakers, is that correct? Should it be Marine specific. How about tinned or Oxygen Free Cooper? Want to do it right once and be done.

 

[212s]

The best is tinned copper wiring to resist corrosion in a marine environment. Oxygen free is a gimick because once exposed to air, it's no longer OFC. And 16 or 14awg is plenty for 200+ watts of power per speaker as these are not long runs in a boat. Power wires depend on the amperage draw of the amplifier. Mine uses 8awg power wires since it's only 500w and 50amp fuse with a short run. If you go bigger or add more amps, or longer runs, then thicker wire is needed.

 

[gallobg]

Check out the Blue Seas wiring chart to find the correct wire size for your amp.

http://assets.bluesea.com/files/resources/newsletter/images/DC_wire_selection_chartlg.jpg

 

[Dave burke]

Loads of threads on this topic, that’s how I learned. I have 3 amps so used 0 gauge to a junction box and then 4 gauge to the amps. Amps are 800-1000w.

For speakers, I used 14 gauge and 12 gauge for the sub. All my wire is KnuKonceptz marine grade. Not cheap but excellent wire.

 

[Canuckjetboater]

Loads of threads on this topic, that’s how I learned. I have 3 amps so used 0 gauge to a junction box and then 4 gauge to the amps. Amps are 800-1000w.

For speakers, I used 14 gauge and 12 gauge for the sub. All my wire is KnuKonceptz marine grade. Not cheap but excellent wire.

I'd use 12AWG for ALL wire to speakers and make sure of the number of strands and copper content. All high performance wire is NOT created equal some "high performance" wire has waaay too many small strands of lower copper content.

 

[mark_m]

I used Tinned Marine Wire, The power behind it all for all my boat wiring. Good stuff

 

[adrianp89]

Everything depends on power, length and resistance. 14 gauge is relatively safe, but if running high power, 12 gauge certainly wouldn't hurt anything but your wallet.

 

[spankybeanz]

I used 12 gauge for my subwoofer and 14 gauge for the tower speakers. As for the power and ground wire, I went with 0 gauge from the battery to the fuse box and 4 gauge to the amp. I did this so I can add more later without having to replace the power and ground.

 

[kgower]

I'm seeing 0 gauge in 2' and 25' foots lengths. I am just guessing, but the 1st sounds to little and the other 2 much.

 

[mark_m]

If you use tinnedmarinewire.com they will make you custom lengths with the lugs pre-installed. Map out what you need to connect things up and you can achieve a really clean setup.

 

[Yamahaul]

no smaller than 4 for any amp, 0 to block and 4 out sounds good.

 

[kgower]

If you use tinnedmarinewire.com they will make you custom lengths with the lugs pre-installed. Map out what you need to connect things up and you can achieve a really clean setup.

Will check them out.

 

[gallobg]

For another wire source, I recently used Best Boat Wire out of Georgia to get my custom tinned marine wire. They have a nice website to specify each wire length and options for crimped terminals at each end. Quality product and cost me less than ordering bulk spools and trying to find a hydraulic crimper to do it myself.

Best Boat Wire | Marine Grade Wire Products

Best Boat Wire is home to the best and cheapest US Made ABYC and USCG approved UL 1426 marine grade wire products.

www.bestboatwire.com

 

[ripler]

Knukonceptz will sell by the foot. I wouldn't go by any chart for wire ampacity unless you are buying the wire from that company. All wire is not made the same and the ampacity rating can vary greatly due to the wire's construction. They also carry set screw style lugs that you can use to attach the wire to your battery.