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4wDakota
Dodge Dakota
10/17/2001
14:52:38
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 Subject: AMP power
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Message:
Where are you guys attaching the positve cable for your amps
I'm running a 4 gauge wire from the battery to power two amps. I am looking at attaching it to the input to the fuse box (the input wire from the battery which is 10" long directly from the battery)I don't think this should cause any problems. I usually bolt it directly to the battery post but I think this will give a little cleaner install.
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R/Truck
Dodge Dakota
10/17/2001
16:20:57
|  RE: AMP power
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Message:
If the factory wire from the battery to the fuse box is less then 4 guage then you could have a potential problem on your hands. If your amps draw a lot of power it could actually melt that factory wire and cause a potential fire. If your amp(s) fuse rating is over 75amps then I would consider upgrading your stock wire from the battery to the fuse box or wiring your 4 gauge wire directly to the battery.
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Brian Gaarder
Dodge Dakota
10/17/2001
17:18:40
| RE: AMP power
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Message:
Go buy a battery clamp make for installing amps. You will have to cut the old one off.... the new one will have a hole and set screw for both the amp and factory wires.... better to spend money now than blow something and spend more later .... i think MTX sells one for about $20 .....
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DarkFury
Dodge Dakota
10/18/2001
10:27:46
| RE: AMP power
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Message:
Ummm... I would go with a power distribution block with a 60 to 100 amp fuse inline (or a 100 amp circuit breaker...which is my preference)
DO NOT connect any of this through your fuse box. Like previously stated, that is just too much current for your fusebox to handle.
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JMII
Dodge Dakota
10/18/2001
16:34:21
|  RE: AMP power
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Message:
Hook it directly to the battery (and fuse it there). Stock wires/fuses boxes can't handle the load of an amp, even a small one but less TWO of em!
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Audio God
Dodge Dakota
10/18/2001
19:20:47
|  RE: AMP power
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Message:
One of the easiest upgrades you can do to your electrical system is to install new battery terminals and use a lower gauge of cable.
There are tons of manufacturers that make brass battery terminals. Go and get the ones that have multiple wire inserts with at least a 4 awg connection. Then get yourself some 8 and 4 awg wire.
Replace the positve wires;
from your fuse box to the battery
from your alternator to the fuse box
and add a separate line for the power to the distribution block that will power your amps
*Make sure you still have a fusible link between your alternator and the main fusebox. And fuse the "amp power" line within at least 12 inches of the battery.
Replace your negative cables from the battery to the engine block, and from the battery to the body.
8 awg cable should be plenty big enough for all of these connections. I would only use the 4 awg if I was running some really big current drawing amps.
You will notice that your headlights will be a bit brighter after you're finished. One thing to remembers is that it does nothing to upgrade the positive wires without doing the same to the negative.
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R/Truck
Dodge Dakota
10/19/2001
11:25:04
| RE: AMP power
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Message:
Agree.
But for only a few feet of wire and a few dollers more, go with 4 guage power and ground when you upgrade. You can't go wrong with a little bit bigger wire. Plus it will make your engine bay look that much better with big old fat wires running your electrical system.
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