quick question; extending power cables?

[vinnY]

so it appears 5m isn't enough to run it how i want in the car, its a 8ga power cable

now i'm wondering whats the best way i can extend the power cable? so i just solder the 2 pieces together then heatshrink as you would smaller cables? or would you just buy something to crimp them together?

or is it best i run out and buy the required length to begin with? or can i just run out and get a high current cable joiner from jaycar?

[Dray_Templar]

not 100% certain, but i would think that a decent cable joiner from jaycar would do the job with out being to big able problem, but if you can stretch to the time and money (8 gage isn't that dear i don't think), you might as well get a longer cable, apart from been neater, you will be sure it's not going to come apart and create any issues later..

(do it once, do it right) hehe unless you can't afford 2.. :p

[vinnY]

yeah i'd assume a joiner wouldn't be a problem, bit of a pain in the arse do re-do my wiring now thats all especially when i can just buy a joiner hehe.

thanks anyway, might just try the joiner tomorrow and see how i go first

[Dray_Templar]

NP mate should do the job fine, :)

[tron07]

Do you have fused distribution block or conectors?

You will need to have one at your battery area, less then 18" distance from the battery, for the battery protection. Then you can put one at the boot, for your amp protection.

[tron07]

for the front battery part...
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w163/djwozza/0AWGPowerFuseByBattery.jpg


The fused distribution block below the sony device
http://www.polkaudio.com/images/car/systems/4_5_big.jpg

[vinnY]

got one for battery protection already, been running the setup fine for the last 2 years or so, just decided to tear it down and throw in some jaycar 6.5" splits and 6x9's instead of my old blaupunkt 6.5" splits and sub to reclaim some of my boot space back and neaten it up(cables through the car!) while i was at it :)

[funkdr]

Use a 8g Jointer if you solder the end of the cable and tighten the grug screws it wont come apart then heatsrink over the top of it

[vinnY]

^^ yep doing exactly that :) thanks mate

[EuroDude]

you shouldnt really extend the power cable due to resistance, but it wont matter if the system isnt very powerful to begin with, so using a jointer should be fine. Put another inline fuse between the cables for extra protection :p

[vinnY]

my current 80a fuse seems to be doing the job, for curiosity sake though what rating fuse would i be looking at if i wanted to add one just before the amp?

[tron07]

my current 80a fuse seems to be doing the job, for curiosity sake though what rating fuse would i be looking at if i wanted to add one just before the amp?

same 80amp

[EuroDude]

It should be the same rating as the other fuse.

80Amps sounds excessive, I'm using only 40A for my 650w Amp

[tron07]

my old RF 200.4 (50X4) amp dont have internal fuse, but comes with a external 60amp fuse instead.

[beeza]

Woah,Eurodude,your new aviator warped my head... :)

[beeza]

I just fixed a problem I've had for almost 2 years on and off! I replaced everything...finially lifted up the carpet and pulled the power cable out and found the installation place (that I paid $300 for the installation but now is under new management) had joined to pieces of power cable together with a dodgy saltering job and electrical tape.I replaced the cable and she's workin' a gem :thumbsup: finially...
Anyways I wouldn't do it,it only took an hour to change the cable.I mean doing it right :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[vinnY]

not worth pulling apart my dash if i can fix it with a small joiner, not going to use tape and twist together the wires.
i'm sure the joiner along with some solder and heatshrink will hold up fine since theres no real stress on the cable

regarding my fuse, yeah it probably is but i was recommended it back when i first bought the system, been running fine so far
amp's got 3x20a fuses built on to the back anyhow

[beeza]

Sweet,at least if ya amp starts cutting out,you'll know where to check.I wish I did.

[vinnY]

nah its never cut out, note taken though :)
i usually go pretty overboard when it comes to joins and stuff like that heh..

unfortunately the only time music skips(cd's that is) is when i hit a pot hole, stiff koni's and eibach springs just aren't very forgiving :p