What gauge Power wire is needed for a 1000 watt amp?

4 then then use 8 after the distributor (sp) if your using multiple amps

you dont need 2 or 0 gauge.. 4 plenty

1000w continuous power, or peak power? For a 16 foot span, you have to use no less then 4awg wire. If the amp puts out 1000w continuous power, then I would use 2awg wire and at least a 1 farad capacitor.

i have an 8 gauge wire currently and the power often cuts off.

Originally posted by Se-R 420
i have an 8 gauge wire currently and the power often cuts off.


your amp maybe overheating, or you may have your gain all the way up.. tisk tisk mister,.. hhehe gain should only be about 3/4 of the way, also check to see if you have a 25 amp fuse in your amp.

I like the idea of a 2. My amp doesn't put out anywhere near 1000w at any time and I put in a 4 simply due to the length. I'd definately put in a cap though. I'd also think about running a few fans off of a relay to cool your amp down. You can trigger the relay with your power on lead to the amp, or better yet, find out what the optimal operating temperature range of your amp is and put a thermistor on the amp case that will turn the relay on at a certain temperature and won't shut off until the amp cools back down to that temperature. My amp gets aweful damn hot in my trunk, especially during summer. Also, don't mount your amp on, in, or anywhere really close to your sub box. The vibration wreaks havoc on the amp and shortens it's life significantly. Maybe more info than you wanted but once again, I'm thinking out loud.

i run 4 guage for most higher power installs I do. My car has 1 guage to a splitter then 4 guage to the amps and cap. I have three amps and a cap so the current draw is pretty great there. I run an optima battery. This is in my pathfinder by the way as that much weight will never be added to my se-r (except when my fat ass gets in the driver seat).

brent meints