wires stinking? wtf!?

[bassman619]

a while ago i was complaining of a smell coming from my audio equipment. i had just put in a new sub and i thought it was the sub making the smell. but my gain wasnt all the way up as high as i could put it without clipping. so i backed off the gain even more.. but im pushin a memphis mc1.1500 which really does 1600-1700 rms and a mc4.75= 75w x 4 rms. and i been running17ft of 4 gauge cable. im not sure if its ofc or cca i just got it at a good price and i figured it wouldnt be a problem. but i am still getting the smell and i smell a kind of burnt rubber smell outside of the car when i stop driving. i found a chart saying i should be using 3/0 gauge wire for the length and power i need. anybody out there think its the wire? recommend me some wires cuz its saying that 1/0 gauge is not big enough for what i need. heres the link to the chart i used.

http://www.hifisoundconnection.com/Shop/Control/fp/SFV/30046/view_page/Car-Audio-Wiring_Power-Wire_Speaker-Wire#chart

[mbdblue]

Big 3 upgrade with 1/0 and swap that 4 gauge to 1/0 (a quality wire) and you'll be better off.

edit: It could possibly be the wire....too much current trying to be pulled through a small gauge wire causes a lot of resistance....the resistance causes heat; the heat can start melting the jacket on the wire. I would check your runs and see if any are melting/starting to melt/look warped. Regardless, I would definitely swap out to 1/0

[Sergeant_Skyrim]

Agree with mbd, 4 gauge seems really small for that much power. What size wire does the memphis accept? You can probably pick some up from Sky High Car Audio on here for a good price

[Troy Mihalcheon]

The quality of copper could be an issue. I'd say go with some high quality 2 or 0 awg cables ... but If you're getting a smell from the wires, they'd also feel warm to the touch. Also if you havent done the big 3. Do it. those little wires could be getting very warm.

[bassman619]

i did the big 3 but with the same 4 gauge that i used to do the power wire. the mc1.1500 accepts up to 0 gauge the mc4.75 accepts up to 4 gauge. thx good advice ill hook it up soon.

[Sergeant_Skyrim]

If an amp accepts 'up to' something, that's the size you should use in my honest opinion. Should definitely look into picking up some 0 gauge

[mnrookie]

Are you fusing your wire?

[bassman619]

Hey 2hqt do u guys think about welding cable? Ive seen people use welding cable in their builds before...reason I ask is because I know they have it at home depot and I have a home depot gift card I could use

[Sergeant_Skyrim]

I personally have welding cable between my front and back battery, and from alternator to front battery. You have to make sure it's legitimate sized wire though. I got mine from weldingsupply.com and it's actually pretty cheap. Think it was $2 a foot for 1/0 black. Used to be 2.50 a foot when I bought my first 50 foot roll. But anyways I'd take a picture of the home depot stuff if I were you and maybe post it up for everybody to see. Maybe have a pencil or pen next to it for size comparison. I'll try to see if I have any pics of my 1/0 welding for a size reference