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Car Audio Power Wire
Power wire is one of the most important parts of an amplifier installation.
The proper gauge is the second most important consideration, next to fusing.
The proper gauge should be used so that the amplifier is not choked off
by the size limitations of the wire. When selecting a power wire, be sure
to purchase one that has many hundreds or thousands of strands so that
it will be easier to install and will not break when passing around sharp
corners. Also make sure that the jacket of the wire is of a material that
will resist chemicals such as oil and battery acid that it will encounter
in the engine compartment. Remember, it never hurts to have have larger
guage wires then needed.
Car Audio Speaker Wire
Speaker wire is also important in terms of size and strands for the
same reasons but the jacket is not as important because it will not see
the same chemicals as the power wire. When shopping for speaker wire,
look for oxygen free copper (OFC) wiring. The size of your speaker wiring
depends on the amount of power going to your speakers and the length of
wire from the amplifier to the speakers. Most systems will need to use
16 gauge to 12 gauge wire.
Features and terms that may be encountered with regard to wiring are:
- Butt Terminals: A battery usually reserved for marine use that
can be drained and replenished many times. While popular years ago many
installers have relegated this battery to system use only with a traditional
car battery for main power.
- Farad (F):The base unit of measure for capacitor storage. One
farad is very larger and is equivalent to one million microfarads (uF).
- Gauge: This refers to the diameter of the wire. The smaller the
number, the larger the wire. Sixteen is common for speaker wire, eight
is common for average size amplifiers, while four gauge and below is used
for large amplifiers. For reference, four gauge wire is about the same
diameter as the average male pinky finger.
- Gel Cell: A type of battery that uses a gel type acid. These
batteries can be desirable because they may be mounted upside down without
the danger a standard type battery would pose.
- Heat Shrink Tubing: A type of insulating plastic that resembles
a drinking straw. A small portion of this tube is cut off and placed on
a wire before soldering. After the connection is soldered and cooled, the
tube is moved over the joint and shrunk around the wires by means of a
heat gun or hot hair dryer.
- Microfarads (uF): The more common unit used to measure capacitor
storage. One million microfarads is equivalent to one Farad.
- OFC: An abbreviation for oxygen free copper. This is the most
desirable wire to buy. There is really no reason to buy any other kind.
As the name implies it is pure copper that is free from oxygen impurities.
- Spade Terminals: A type of terminal used on most speakers. The
type found on speakers are male spades while the ones used to connect to
these terminals are female spades. These terminals are also referred to
as quick disconnects though this name can apply to many different types
of terminals that come apart quickly.
- Voltage Rating: Referring to the amount of voltage a capacitor
is rated to handle. The very least a capacitor used for reinforcement should
be rated at is 16 volts while 20 volts is much more desirable and available
on the slightly more expensive capacitors.
Car Audio Signal Cables
Signal or RCA cables are also important for their noise rejection properties.
Cables range in price from a couple of dollars to over one hundred dollars
a pair. Most decently priced cables in the twenty to thirty dollar range
(for a twenty foot pair) should be adequate for most listeners and noise
situations. Twisted pair cables offer much better noise rejection properties
as opposed to coaxial cables (the most common). Twisted pair cables consist
of two small gauge wires that are twisted around each other in a helix pattern.
Coaxial cables are one small gauge wire jacketed by a braided cable which
are then both encased in a plastic jacket. The advantage of the twisted pair
cables is in the twist in the cables. By twisting the cables noise picked
up by one cable will be canceled by that same noise in the opposite cable.
Twisted pair cables can be difficult to find so ask for them specifically
when buying RCA cables.
Car Audio Power Capacitors
Power capacitors or stiffening capacitors are used to assist an automobile
that has a problem with dimming lights (voltage sag) or to help tighten up
the bass. These capacitors store a large amount of power and then release
it very quickly when the demand is the greatest from the amplifier. These
capacitors release the current much faster than a battery can and do not
force the amplifier's power supply to be at a loss when bass notes and other
transients are greatest. Capacitors should be chosen in the ratio of one
Farad per thousand watts.
Car Audio Batteries
If extended engine off listening is desired then a second battery can be
useful. Keep in mind that this will put a greater strain on your charging
system as well as add several hundred dollars for a second battery, dual
battery isolator, and installation charges (or headaches for the DIY'er).
If you are having problems with your charging system then you might need
a new or larger alternator. Have it checked out by a qualified technician.
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