Does Fatter Wire Really Stop Headlight Dim

[slugdub]

I thought it was the new amp at first (even though is substantially bigger than any I had before) because i first tested it with the new 4 gauge wire, but now that its running lightly off 8 gauge (until tonight when I redo it) the lights are dimming again.

So it appears even with the 8 gauge ground, that just running 4 gauge knu cca is stopping dimming? Is this probably the case?

[E-Train]

what? are you trying to say when u had 8ga power n ground it didnt dim, n when u upgraded to a 4 ga power it started dimming?

[Neo_frog]

I thought it was the new amp at first (even though is substantially bigger than any I had before) because i first tested it with the new 4 gauge wire, but now that its running lightly off 8 gauge (until tonight when I redo it) the lights are dimming again.

So it appears even with the 8 gauge ground, that just running 4 gauge knu cca is stopping dimming? Is this probably the case?

I'm surprised that the amp isn't cutting out if it's a larger one. Larger wire with a higher strand count will allow more current to pass up until a certain point. Check your fuse rating and compare it to an ampacity table for wire to determine the minimum that you should have.

I suggest just upgrading to 1/0 all around though.

[slugdub]

what? are you trying to say when u had 8ga power n ground it didnt dim, n when u upgraded to a 4 ga power it started dimming?

Sorry if I explained it bad.

I'm saying the opposite. 4 gauge no dim, but 8 has dim

I'm surprised that the amp isn't cutting out if it's a larger one. Larger wire with a higher strand count will allow more current to pass up until a certain point. Check your fuse rating and compare it to an ampacity table for wire to determine the minimum that you should have.

I suggest just upgrading to 1/0 all around though.

Sorry, my 'large' is different than other people's large. Its only running at 656w rms (2 ohms) so I'm covered. 80 amp fuse. The specs say min 6 gauge wire, so I'm going already above and beyond.

I'm just wondering if I'm crazy or the difference in wire stops dimming somehow.

[lanman31337]

Are you feeding the wire ham sammiches? That would make me dim too.

Back to the wire, yes, your 4 gauge wire will let more current pass through than your 8 gauge. Try to put the same current through your 8 gauge and some of the amperage comes out as heat. How warm does the 8 gauge ground get?

[slugdub]

I suppose I should give it the heat test. I haven't noticed it warm at the end going into the amp, but I haven't really grabbed it. I'll do that today @ lunch.

Also, it seems the 8 gauge is letting more engine noise into the amp too, but I again, I can't tell if thats me or what. I really want to get rid of that noise.

[Neo_frog]

I suppose I should give it the heat test. I haven't noticed it warm at the end going into the amp, but I haven't really grabbed it. I'll do that today @ lunch.

Also, it seems the 8 gauge is letting more engine noise into the amp too, but I again, I can't tell if thats me or what. I really want to get rid of that noise.

It's also possible that your ground point sucks. Try to find a spot on the chassis to ground to if the noise is bad.

EDIT:spelling

Edited March 26, 2009 by Neo_frog

[finkster]

I stopped using 8 gauge when i got above 400 rms...youre running more than that...

And 80 amps is too much for 8 gauge IMO...

x2 on finding a better ground....

[Airborne]

am usuing 4g for speaker wire.

[Neo_frog]

am usuing 4g for speaker wire.

Real men use 1/0 for speaker wire...