Hey all,

I have some extra 4 AWG power wire left over from a previous install. Can I use this red power wire for a ground wire as well?

 

Yes - functionally, it will work fine.

BUT be absolutely doggone sure to identify this cable as a ground in such a manner that there is no way any reasonable person could make a mistake with wiring identification.

One method is to tape a couple of wraps of the correct circuit color around the cable near each of the termination points.

However, since black electrical tape is commonly used for everything, consider some other identification means so that there is absolutely no question that the cable is being used for grounding, and not for power as is typically associated with the color red.

My concern is the personal safety risk toward others that may work on your vehicle, or to yourself if you forget what was done. That's a big cable that can carry a lot of hurt.

 

typically you are supposed to use brown for ground but if you wrap the ends in brown electrical tape that would serve the same purpose.

 

What they said...perfectly fine to use it. Just be certian you know which is which by marking it like they said, or else being able to actually see that wire and that it is grounded...

 

Just make sure you have the red cable going the right way because it is directional from right to left only and the ground is left to right only....

 

IM SORRY. I HAD TO, there is no direction to the cable. The only difference is the jacket color. +1 to what they said.

 

ah, OK - was thinking that somebody got to hittin' the ol' egg-nog a bit early.

 

LMAO...

Reminds me of something a buddy of mine said when we (I) was installing his sub amp. "Oh shlit, I hope this isnt that wire that only flows in one direction because I didnt look and see"

"Boy.........................I sure hope it isnt either"


It was hard not to laugh

 

I love reading you guys posts... You all can find humor in anything, and I love it...

Hope everyone had a great holiday..,.
Later,

Devildog101

 

Red = power
black = ground........
my amp kit came with a purple wire, what the hell is this for!?

I'm guessing it's for the super HO, 0% THD, 200% power efficient solar powered "plasma" amp, with back up plutonium power.......

 

hehehe - yeah, that's it.

could it be for the power 'on' signal from the head unit? What gauge is the wire? Any hopes for a wiring diagram?

 

Uhh. It can be power or gnd... Oh wait its not Red or Black

Doesnt matter, look at the other color of wire and the long piece is power short isnt. I have blue for 12+ and clear for neg.

 

That was a joke...........guess it was too subtle.....

 

A , or these may have helped...

 

That'd be some crazy looking chet!
Wonder if it'd glow green wonder if you'd need a hazardous material symbol on your rig due to nuclear substance being transported