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Wire Gauge size? fuse size?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Yeezytaco, Apr 11, 2017.

  1. Apr 11, 2017 at 7:41 PM
    #1
    Yeezytaco

    Yeezytaco [OP] Member

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    I have a 1000w with amp powering 2 10" kickers subs and it has 2 30 amp fuses on the amp. Whate size gauge wire should i use for the power? what size fuse? and what size gauge wire from amp to subs?
     
  2. Apr 12, 2017 at 5:10 AM
    #2
    topcathr

    topcathr Well-Known Member

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    if its under 10 feet. 4 should be good.
     
  3. Apr 12, 2017 at 5:17 AM
    #3
    topcathr

    topcathr Well-Known Member

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    Its going to draw approx 90 amps. also you may need a 1 farad capacitor. There are many variables look on line.
     
  4. Apr 12, 2017 at 7:05 AM
    #4
    cliffyk

    cliffyk Well-Known Member

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    Here's a handy 12 VDC wire sizing chart (Note: these are the minimum acceptable gauges, bumping up a size won't hurt):

    [​IMG]
     
    EDDO likes this.
  5. Apr 12, 2017 at 8:11 AM
    #5
    Yeezytaco

    Yeezytaco [OP] Member

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    I was thinking 4 gauge just to be safe. And on the manual it says 60 amp fuse for the power line. But what gauge should i use forthe amp to the subs?
     
  6. Apr 12, 2017 at 8:13 AM
    #6
    DVexile

    DVexile Exiled to the East

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    I'm not sure where that chart is from, but it appears to only be taking voltage drop into account and not temperature rise of the conductor. Using 12 AWG wire to pass 100 amps is a great way to set your truck on fire even if it is just being passed for one foot.

    For example running just 50 amps through 12 AWG wire results in temperature *rise* of 100C. For a 30C ambient that would not be unusual in a vehicle in the summer that means the insulation will be at 130C (or 266F). Typically the *highest* rated insulation is about 90C with 60C quite common as well. Not to mention whatever happens to be near the wire that you have run. Keep in mind the number provided here is for a wire in free air, in a confined space it will be even higher.

    So I'd recommend throwing that chart out since it was produced by someone who doesn't have a clue what they are doing.
     
  7. Apr 12, 2017 at 8:20 AM
    #7
    justdoit

    justdoit Well-Known Member

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    That chart looks more like a A/C and solid core wire chart. I have 4g with 80 amp fuse at battery. I'll have to double check
     
  8. Apr 12, 2017 at 9:15 AM
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    cliffyk

    cliffyk Well-Known Member

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    It's from a 30+ year old automotive wiring guide--I copied the data to an Excel worksheet 15 years ago, I'll dig out the book and make sure I copied it correctly. I should also have mentioned that these "lengths" are round trip, so 7 ft means it 3.5 ft to and 3.5 ft from the source to the load.

    I will post later after I dig out the book, it's in the barn somewhere...
     
  9. Apr 12, 2017 at 9:15 AM
    #9
    cliffyk

    cliffyk Well-Known Member

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    Any good 12 ga. speaker wire will be fine...
     
  10. Apr 12, 2017 at 9:39 AM
    #10
    DVexile

    DVexile Exiled to the East

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    Cool, thanks for the follow up!

    I suspect you did copy it correctly, but it looks like the wiring guide you copied it from was produced only considering the voltage drop and not the temperature rise. So it is probably a useful reference for the longer runs but some of the short run numbers are clearly not safe as far as temperature rise.

    The third page of this PDF has a graph showing temperature rise in free air for any AWG and current. There are also a variety of calculators on the internet.
     
  11. Apr 12, 2017 at 6:26 PM
    #11
    Yeezytaco

    Yeezytaco [OP] Member

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    so a 4 gauge with a 80 fuse and 12 gauge wires from amp to subs should be fine?
     
  12. Apr 13, 2017 at 7:46 AM
    #12
    Silence9

    Silence9 Solve et Coagula

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    Sparky here. I=P/V therefore I=83 amps. V losses aren't substantial in runs as short as you're considering. Depending on the heat rating of the wire, 4 gauge if if it sucks 3 gauge if it's good.
     
  13. Apr 13, 2017 at 10:56 AM
    #13
    Yeezytaco

    Yeezytaco [OP] Member

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    12 gauge from amp to sub?
     

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