4 gauge wire into 8 gauge terminal?

Way 2 Fonky · Post by **Way 2 Fonky** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:12 am

I want to use a good wire for my battery to amp connection. The thing is The amp has an 8 guage terminal. I'm wondering if I can just shove the 4 gauge in there. I don't think it will cause any problems, but I want to be sure.

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:28 am

There's no point in it really.
First off, if they designed it with an 8 gauge terminal, that's all you'll need to run the amp. You'll just be spending unnecessary money and time to do something that won't be worth the money or time. Second, if you try to jam the 4 gauge in there, you'll have to chop off enough of it to MAKE it fit in the hole, totally defeating your original purpose.
http://the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp has recommended wire sizes for power ratings.

brtnboarder3241 · Post by **brtnboarder3241** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:29 am

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
what he said...lol

Post by **GlassWolf** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:48 am

if it has 8AWG terminals, then chances are it can't draw enough current to take any advantage of 4AWG wire.
Now, if you want to run larger wire to power several amplifiers, use a distribution block and split from 4ga down to 8ga within a foot or two of the amplifier locations, or if you absolutely insist on wasting the money on 4ga wire for a smaller amplifier, go to eBay and fint an adapter plug that converts 4AWG to 8AWG. They screw right onto the stripped wire end and reduce the wire to 8AWG with a plug that fits into an 8AWG amplifier terminal.
That way no cutting the wire or shaving it, no loose wires to short out, and no sloppy looking messed up redneck hillbilly hack job on the installation.