Rewiring Boat Stereo

(mikeakatex5) · (mikeakatex5) **Join Date: Jun 2009** 02-24-2013, 5:55 PM

I'm about to start rewiring my boat's stereo in the coming weeks. Can anyone recommend a place for marine wiring at good prices. I've done some google searches but nothing has really come of it (probably error on my part).

(bryce2320) · (bryce2320) **Join Date: May 2012** 02-24-2013, 7:03 PM

Bulk is your best bet. Ebay is probably your friend. 25' of red 4 gauge and 25' of black only costs like 34 bucks. 0 gauge in bulk is also pretty reasonable on ebay IMO.

(bryce2320) · (bryce2320) **Join Date: May 2012** 02-24-2013, 7:04 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-ft-AWG-4-...item2a28eeb962
That should be a good start, and compare from there. It may not be marine, but if it isnt running in the bilge or anything, I wouldnt see a problem in it. Thats the stuff I got anyways, others will probably chime in if its sufficient.

(Midnightv10) · (Midnightv10) **Join Date: Feb 2012** 02-24-2013, 8:21 PM

I agree with Bryce, I have always got great deals on bulk stuff from EBay.

(williamburell) · (williamburell) **Join Date: Sep 2011** 02-25-2013, 6:41 AM

I hate to say this but buying a good wire is really important here. The cheap stuff while cheap is not great. A good quality copper is going to cost you money. No point in spending good money on a system and then cutting its legs off with cheap wiring. I don't know anything about the particular ebay listing posted but do alil research on what you are buying

(david_e_m) · (david_e_m) **Join Date: Jul 2008** 02-25-2013, 5:23 PM

A legit high grade copper 4-gauge cable should be around 10 lbs for 50 total feet. If it is lighter then I would pass.
With power cable you are buying low resistance at high current....not just a gauge and not just a number of strands. With all the investment in equipment that is voltage based it makes little sense to go with an inferior wire of unknown content.
Copper is heavier so weight is a pretty good equalizer.

David
Earmark Marine

(volzalum) · (volzalum) **Join Date: May 2009** 02-25-2013, 5:41 PM

I've had good luck using these guys: http://tinnedmarinewire.com/wire/

No affiliation, just a satisfied customer.

(bwake) · (bwake) **Join Date: Sep 2009** 02-26-2013, 1:18 PM

On a bit of a side note, im wiring in some HCLD's at the moment that have what looks like -16 wire. Bearing in mind im routing it through the tower, is this not overkill?

What size should be ample? Id rather just not have such big holes coming out of the side of the tower.

Thanks

(Truekaotik) · (Truekaotik) **Join Date: Jun 2012** 02-26-2013, 1:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwake

On a bit of a side note, im wiring in some HCLD's at the moment that have what looks like -16 wire. Bearing in mind im routing it through the tower, is this not overkill?

What size should be ample? Id rather just not have such big holes coming out of the side of the tower.

Thanks

Think of the length it's going

I actually use 12 gauge... How's that for overkill?

(Midnightv10) · (Midnightv10) **Join Date: Feb 2012** 02-26-2013, 1:56 PM

Distance and Ohm load.
16 gauge wire is good for about 10' to a 4 ohm speaker, a little longer for 2 ohm.
Personally I use 14 gauge which is appropriate for a run of about 20' into a 4 ohm speaker.
I would not go any higher than 16 gauge though

(bwake) · (bwake) **Join Date: Sep 2009** 02-27-2013, 1:36 PM

Ok, thats interesting.

Bit weird that the co ax speakers come with cable that would have to be at best -20 gauge