Holy Carp!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,150
Likes: 459
From: S. FL
When u consider the maximum amp draw for that amp at it’s lowest impedance vs. what it is really pulling when listening to music, coupled with the the efficiency of the amp and the minimized resistance of short wires on a bike it’s not as “dangerous” as you are making it seem.
The 4180 uses 12awg power and 14awg ground. Would you not leave the house either with those wires and that amp?
Some exaggerated posts here.
The 4180 uses 12awg power and 14awg ground. Would you not leave the house either with those wires and that amp?
Some exaggerated posts here.
Last edited by haze324; Jul 10, 2016 at 12:11 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 538
Likes: 88
From: Dallas
When u consider the maximum amp draw for that amp at its lowest impedance vs. what it is really pulling when listening to music, coupled with the the efficiency of the amp and the minimized resistance of short wires on a bike its not as dangerous as you are making it seem.
The 4180 uses 12awg power and 14awg ground. Would you not leave the house either with those wires and that amp?
Some exaggerated posts here.
The 4180 uses 12awg power and 14awg ground. Would you not leave the house either with those wires and that amp?
Some exaggerated posts here.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 17
From: Omaha
Ok, I'll bite. You are the electrician and I am not so can you explain what the difference is in an amp that puts out 560 watts that states that it requires 10ga power and ground wires and an amp that puts out 600 watts that says that it requires 8ga. Is the difference between 10ga and 8ga that significant? In these days of litigiousness manufacturers always go for caution so why would one call for 10ga and the other for 8ga when the specs are so close? As I stated, I ran it for over an hour at very high volume and the wires never got even slightly warm. I also looked at Crutchfields table for calculating power wire size and my amp falls right on the line between 8-10ga. So can you educate a novice as to where you see the concern?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,150
Likes: 459
From: S. FL
You could say that about any size wire.
Im talking about the amp draw of this specific amp not general terms. If were going by total watts the 4180 puts out significantly more power yet uses a smaller wire because of the amp draw specific to that amp. Would I prefer an 8awg yes of course, do I think his bike is going to catch fire using a 10awg...not at all.
I think perhaps your years of building power plants have safety and caution engraved in you! Not a bad thing.
Im talking about the amp draw of this specific amp not general terms. If were going by total watts the 4180 puts out significantly more power yet uses a smaller wire because of the amp draw specific to that amp. Would I prefer an 8awg yes of course, do I think his bike is going to catch fire using a 10awg...not at all.
I think perhaps your years of building power plants have safety and caution engraved in you! Not a bad thing.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 783
Likes: 13
From: Indiana
Cvojoe...not arguing your expertise. But if he's running a 30 amp fuse to what you say is an amp that can use up to 60 amps, then that fuse should blow at a 31 amp draw. As well as the fact that the reason we fuse after the battery is for any what ifs...i.e. wire nick, kink etc. Without that fuse, the bike itself could become 12v live....not cool!
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 538
Likes: 88
From: Dallas
You could say that about any size wire.
Im talking about the amp draw of this specific amp not general terms. If were going by total watts the 4180 puts out significantly more power yet uses a smaller wire because of the amp draw specific to that amp. Would I prefer an 8awg yes of course, do I think his bike is going to catch fire using a 10awg...not at all.
I think perhaps your years of building power plants have safety and caution engraved in you! Not a bad thing.
Im talking about the amp draw of this specific amp not general terms. If were going by total watts the 4180 puts out significantly more power yet uses a smaller wire because of the amp draw specific to that amp. Would I prefer an 8awg yes of course, do I think his bike is going to catch fire using a 10awg...not at all.
I think perhaps your years of building power plants have safety and caution engraved in you! Not a bad thing.
There is no doubt about my years spent building power plants have safety and Caution engraved and overdone.
My point really is don't run a 60 amp piece of equipment on 30 amp set up. IMO... If it calls for a 60 amp set up then that's what I'm going to put on it
Guys I don't know enough about these amplifiers to try and figure out why one calls for more amperage than the other.
Guys I mean no disrespect I just don't want that young man to have a bad day on his motorcycle
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 538
Likes: 88
From: Dallas
Cvojoe...not arguing your expertise. But if he's running a 30 amp fuse to what you say is an amp that can use up to 60 amps, then that fuse should blow at a 31 amp draw. As well as the fact that the reason we fuse after the battery is for any what ifs...i.e. wire nick, kink etc. Without that fuse, the bike itself could become 12v live....not cool!
Once again I am probably overthinking things and using way too much caution but that's just me. I don't like breaking down, I don't like blowing fuses In the middle of BFE
It's all good brother's, haze I hope you will allow me to come to you for help in the future, I'm going to need it
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 412
From: Indianapolis IN.
Good conversation from a safety standpoint. But trust me Springer. You'll be fine to ride the rest of the season with the 10 ga. Your bike is not gonna catch on fire bro! LOL
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Hawkeye state
All I can say it tug on that all you want it doesn't get any bigger. I've been trying for years with no success.