Wattage Question

[Nick_L]

I was just curious about something and thought I would post it here and see if anyone could explain it to me, I was just curious why if say I have a sub that can take 2000w and an amp putting out at least that, why do I put 1/0 gauge wire to the batt and amp but like 8 gauge to the sub? How is my 2k watts getting to the sub through such small wire? Just curious

[wL<3bass]

I was just curious about something and thought I would post it here and see if anyone could explain it to me, I was just curious why if say I have a sub that can take 2000w and an amp putting out at least that, why do I put 1/0 gauge wire to the batt and amp but like 8 gauge to the sub? How is my 2k watts getting to the sub through such small wire? Just curious

Voltage, current, and length of wire all play rolls.

[Nick_L]

I figured as much... Just wasn't positive

[Guest]

power inputs on the amp have to sustain minor voltage (12-15v) and a hell of alot of amps (current). but the speaker wire only has to carry higher voltages and not so much current.

[chill phil]

The power wire is on dc voltage, while the speaker wire is on ac voltage. Ac voltage can use a smaller wires at same voltage of power wire

[Clif]

The power wire is on dc voltage, while the speaker wire is on ac voltage. Ac voltage can use a smaller wires at same voltage of power wire

Don't think that is true.

Its all about the input voltage being around 13 so to get 2 kwatts you going to be 150 plus amps. Now on the output side of your amp it is ac and also a higher voltage around 63v(if running at 2 ohms) so you only have 31 amps of current going through your wire.

Also you have a much longer distance from your bat to your amp then your amp to your sub. The wire has a resistance through it naturally so if you have a long run and need allot of current your going to have a big power lead.

Cliff

[jonathancullen89]

that would be crazy to see a sub that has 0guage inputs lol

[newls1]

that would be crazy to see a sub that has 0guage inputs lol

Crazy....YES! but would look damn neat!

[S1R-BLUNTZWORTH]

I was just curious about something and thought I would post it here and see if anyone could explain it to me, I was just curious why if say I have a sub that can take 2000w and an amp putting out at least that, why do I put 1/0 gauge wire to the batt and amp but like 8 gauge to the sub? How is my 2k watts getting to the sub through such small wire? Just curious

High voltage can pass through thin gauge wires. High amperage cannot.

think about this: have you ever seen the tiny gauge you're house electrical outlets are? they're pretty thin, but still are able to carry a total output of roughly 1500-2000 watts. That's because @ 120volts, it only requires 15amps to equal 1800watts. When using only 12volts, it takes 150amps to produce 1800 watts. as you may already know, volts x amps = power(watts)

[wL<3bass]

High voltage can pass through thin gauge wires. High amperage cannot.

think about this: have you ever seen the tiny gauge you're house electrical outlets are? they're pretty thin, but still are able to carry a total output of roughly 1500-2000 watts. That's because @ 120volts, it only requires 15amps to equal 1800watts. When using only 12volts, it takes 150amps to produce 1800 watts. as you may already know, volts x amps = power(watts)

ZING!