I have a 1200RMS amp with 8gauge wires, I’m not sure enough power is getting to my amp. What type of wire should I be using and what fuse should I have in place?
i would suggest at least a 4 gauge wire an 60 amp fuse
:werd:
at least 4 guage… if you can find it, go with 2 guage…
and a 60 A fuse (AGU type) within 18" of the battery.
~Eric
#1 AWG with a 100 Amp fuse. This is assuming you have upgraded your alternator to a high output model. If you have a stock alternator, you’ll never be able to run that amp wide open.
Originally posted by whiterice02
#1 AWG with a 100 Amp fuse. This is assuming you have upgraded your alternator to a high output model. If you have a stock alternator, you’ll never be able to run that amp wide open.
Think again.
I’m running an 1100 watt Class D amp (Directed Audio) and a 450 watt Class A/B amp (Pioneer Premier) from my stock alternator from dual 2 and 4 guage wires running to each amp.
Hittin’ a 146+ dB and getting over 1100 watts from the big amp and the rated 450 watts from the small amp. Current definately isn’t an issue with my setup. 
If it’s a 1200 watt Class A/B amp, then yes, he may need a rewound or higher output alternator, but if it’s the JBL 1200.1 (like I’m thinking it is), he “should” be fine. Also, upgrading the main 3 wire sunder the hood helps too.
And a 100 A fuse if too much for that amp. Mine doesn’t blow and it’s a 60 A. www.eatel.com or .net (I think this is the site) has a great little chart on wire and fuse sizes. But, anyhow, he should be fine with the 60A AGU fuse. If that keeps blowing due to overcurrent because of the side of the amp, then yes, move up to an 80 or higher.
Lower is better, as it’s safer.
~Eric
Originally posted by curls
[B]getting over 1100 watts from the big amp and the rated 450 watts from the small amp
And a 100 A fuse if too much for that amp. Mine doesn’t blow and it’s a 60 A. [/B]
Are you wired parallel to a common point and then tapped off by both amps? Or is is separate (ie. #2 and 60A fuse for each amp)?
1550W @ 13.8VDC would be 112.3A of current drain and would work if you wired parallel with a fuse on each wire, to a common point. If you wired the amps independently, you would be in the neighborhood of 80 (79.8) Amps on the 1100W amp, and only 32.6 A on the 450W amp. Just curious how it’s wired…
2 separate wire runs to the back. The large amp has a 60 amp fuse, and the small amp has a 40 amp fuse.
Doubtful I’m pulling over 100 amps of current (the alt. is only 90, remember?)… but during absolute PEAK times, I may be pulling close to 90 or 100.