Wiring

**legacyy21** · 04-23-2011, 03:47 PM

Hey guys whats going on? So today I was messing around on my Trans Am and I noticed that the previous owner still had wiring for a sub and an amp hooked up. I have a Rockford Fosgate p200.2 amp that I had gotten from my brother in law. So the power and ground wires right now are 8 gauge wires and on Rockford's website it recomends a 4 gauge wire would it not be smart to go ahead and use this 8 gauge wire or should i go out and get a 4 gauge wiring kit? Thanks in advance!

**bigrondownhiller** · 04-23-2011, 04:18 PM

I would get the 4 gauge wire. Don't want to risk a fire. What size fuse does your amp have?

**KMdef9** · 04-23-2011, 05:01 PM

The 8 gauge wire might not be enough to drive the amp, it may not work it at all. It depends on the amp, I ran 8 gauge for a 100watt amp for my front door speakers on previous vehicles.

It might be good enough, but 4 is always a safe bet.

How many watts is the amp and subwoofer?

**legacyy21** · 04-23-2011, 05:22 PM

The fuse size in the amp is a 30. I know that the amp is also throwing out 200 watts rms.

**bigrondownhiller** · 04-23-2011, 05:29 PM

Then it should be fine. My amp is the same rating and I have 8 gauge. Just run a 30 amp fuse up near the battery.

**legacyy21** · 04-23-2011, 05:34 PM

Alrighty sounds good! Thanks guy for the quick responses, I appreciate it!

**legacyy21** · 04-23-2011, 06:32 PM

Alright so I hooked it all up and it was all running but there was a weird smell, kinda smelt like something burning but didn't see any smoke or anything, do you think this could be from the ground and battery wires being an 8 gauge wire?

**KMdef9** · 04-24-2011, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by legacyy21

Alright so I hooked it all up and it was all running but there was a weird smell, kinda smelt like something burning but didn't see any smoke or anything, do you think this could be from the ground and battery wires being an 8 gauge wire?

Smell only when it's running? How old is the amp? Has been exposed the weather? What did you use as ground? Subs working?

I would smell the vents/fans of the amp. Check the wiring, every inch if you can, to make sure there are now areas of exposed wire. If it didn't pop, it might only slightly be arcing if that's the case.

Typically, if your under current, the amp should have a safety/protection circuit on it. Some amps even come with LED protection indicator.

It's more likely it's a exposed wire or possible amp issue than wire size issue.

**bigrondownhiller** · 04-25-2011, 04:52 AM

^^^I agree. 8 gauge should be able to handle 30 amps fine. If you feel the wires are they hot? Make sure the ground has a good clean connection.

**legacyy21** · 04-25-2011, 09:22 AM

Yeah the sub was working, but it is a pretty old amp, it was my brother in laws when he was in high school. I opened up the amp and took a look at the circuit board and there were some burn type marks on the circuit board so I'm guessing the amp is just shot.

**KMdef9** · 04-27-2011, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by legacyy21

Yeah the sub was working, but it is a pretty old amp, it was my brother in laws when he was in high school. I opened up the amp and took a look at the circuit board and there were some burn type marks on the circuit board so I'm guessing the amp is just shot.

If it smells bad too, I'd say so.