What happens if power wire gauge is too small.

[moredbs]

why would you do that?

[Miguels]

i run 8 gauge to my subs!

i run 4 gauge

[Phaeton]

How would it know what size of wire you where using? When you put it into the amp, the set screw just squishes it and it couldnt tell what you used. But lets say it could, and everything worked out with that, then yes, the amp would only pull as much as it thinks your 8 gauge could handle. Problem is what wire did you use? it would know if it was CCA or OFC. copper clad aluminium or oxygen free copper. And each wire manufacturer has a diffrent take on wire size and capability.

[Guest]

why would you do that?

I specifically said I did not do that. I am just trying to understand the science behind it.

[Guest]

How would it know what size of wire you where using? When you put it into the amp, the set screw just squishes it and it couldnt tell what you used. But lets say it could, and everything worked out with that, then yes, the amp would only pull as much as it thinks your 8 gauge could handle. Problem is what wire did you use? it would know if it was CCA or OFC. copper clad aluminium or oxygen free copper. And each wire manufacturer has a diffrent take on wire size and capability.

Cool! Thats the explanation I was looking for! Thanks for letting me pick your brain! lol

[moredbs]

i run 8 gauge to my subs!

i run 4 gauge

you da man! upgrades coming my way!

[Miguels]

true story.. back in 1996 or around that era my cousin husband installed a fosgate 1k amp. i think it was one of the first. that thing was a beast and the biggest you can get at the time.. when he swapped he left the original 8 gauge wire he used on the other amp.. a swear he was pissed at the amp not putting out and sounded terrible. i told him about the wire and he said it was okay. the fuse never gave out and kept going i dont know but the wire gave out before the fuse and all the run was melted to shit .. if i wouldn't have told him to check the wire his truck would have caught fire. it was only on for less than a minute and melted the carpet and burnt his hand.. it was a funny story and i was around 14 years old

[moredbs]

why would you do that?

I specifically said I did not do that. I am just trying to understand the science behind it.

wasn't accusing you,just asking why would someone take a chance of doing something they shouldn't do just to save a couple of dollars.

[Guest]

why would you do that?

I specifically said I did not do that. I am just trying to understand the science behind it.

wasn't accusing you,just asking why would someone take a chance of doing something they shouldn't do just to save a couple of dollars.

Haha, you are good man!! You would be surprised at how stupid people can be though!!

[moredbs]

why would you do that?

I specifically said I did not do that. I am just trying to understand the science behind it.

wasn't accusing you,just asking why would someone take a chance of doing something they shouldn't do just to save a couple of dollars.

Haha, you are good man!! You would be surprised at how stupid people can be though!!

not surprised i used to be one of them when i was younger,and didn't have much money. almost set my car on fire using 12 gauge speaker wire for battery run to a sherwood amp back in the day.