What gauge wiring to the battery?

[BG]

Folks:

Changed pickups back in the summer and have never had a chance to install my radio in the new pickup. I plan to get this done over the holidays. My question: What gauge wiring will provide sufficent power from the battery to my radio in the truck?? I want to make sure I have enough power to run my radio, but I dont need a bunch of overkill either. Just want to get the job done. I will be running an RCI-2950DX or Connex 3300HP (I switch them out). I will run from the battery directly to the radio...probably 10ft or so?? I was thinking of using 8 gauge wire...but only if it will for sure run the radio to its fullest potential.

I think I ran 8 gauge on my last truck and it worked like a charm...but I thought I would pose the question here and let the professionals weigh in.....

Thanks guys,
BG

[Tucker442]

10 gauge would be plenty even if you ran a mid size amp just make sure you fuse it at the battery with a large good electrical fuse not just one of those fuses in the holder like the radio uses, I used a home depot one fuse push in type with 30 amps, works fine and doesn't impede the electrial flow. Yes car fuses in car fuse holders are ok and in your case would probably work fine but seeing as your doing it now on off time why not spend a little more time and money to keep you going for a long time, just my 2 cents

[BG]

10 gauge would be plenty even if you ran a mid size amp just make sure you fuse it at the battery with a large good electrical fuse not just one of those fuses in the holder like the radio uses, I used a home depot one fuse push in type with 30 amps, works fine and doesn't impede the electrial flow. Yes car fuses in car fuse holders are ok and in your case would probably work fine but seeing as your doing it now on off time why not spend a little more time and money to keep you going for a long time, just my 2 cents

got it...thats what i needed to know.....10 gauge sounds right...i said i used 8 gauge in my last rig but the more i think about it, it was 10 gauge from a wal-mart car amp wiring kit.....BG

[DirtyDog]

What size is coming out of your radio? I would use that or bigger !

[BG]

What size is coming out of your radio? I would use that or bigger !

Not sure what is coming out of the radio....its a standard "10 meter DX radio" three prong power cord that comes with lots of radios these days. But yes, I will go with larger than that...which I think will be 10 gauge. Also, I see you are from Conroe...greetings here from Crystal Beach, TX. I know a few cats from Conroe.

[DirtyDog]

Hi neighbor !!

[beef15]

10ga should easily be up to the task, most radios come with 16ga, the only problem with the type of fuse holder that comes with them is the cheap plastic they make them of breaks, electrically they are fine, just keep them out of sunlight, extreme heat, and/or physical stress, vibration and whatnot. The other thing to look at is that your fuse holder has the same gauge wire you intend to run, if it is too small you'll have high resistance there which defeats the point of running large wire. There are tables that will tell you what size wire is sufficient for a given amperage in a given run, pick a size or two up from the minimum and you'll be fine, oh and make sure the table is for 12volt.

['Doc]

All things considered, go ahead and use that 8 gauge wire. It might be a little 'over-kill', but not very much of one. A little bit too much never hurts. A little bit too little certainly can.
- 'Doc

[BG]

thanks for all the info guys....i will definitely use no less than 10 ga and will also be sure to get a sturdy fuse holder.....BG

[BG]

Alright....got all my wiring run through the firewall and to the battery....10 gauge. My 2950dx is getting plenty of juice now! Only problem....I put my Wilson 1000 mag on top and did a quick SWR check....it was 10+...OFF the meter....LOL! The highest SWR I have every personally had was 3.0. Oh well, I dont know if it was just the meter or what. I was tired and just shut it off and went inside...tomorrow is a new day.

BG

[Shasta69]

Alright....got all my wiring run through the firewall and to the battery....10 gauge. My 2950dx is getting plenty of juice now! Only problem....I put my Wilson 1000 mag on top and did a quick SWR check....it was 10+...OFF the meter....LOL! The highest SWR I have every personally had was 3.0. Oh well, I dont know if it was just the meter or what. I was tired and just shut it off and went inside...tomorrow is a new day.

BG

Did you get it figured out?

[DirtyDog]

I would try a different meter for sure . Make sure you place the antenna in middle of roof and the doors closed . Good luck and let us know how you made out .

[Tucker442]

just a heads up too about running the wire through the firewall, I had an issue once with 10 gauge wire through the firewall and found an insulated through the firewall item that bolts together, has a large rubber insulator so as not to contact the metal of the firewall, just something to look at if your going to keep the vehicle a long time. I found it at a local auto parts store I think it was designed for large stereo amps that the younger guys put in their cars.