Going to install an Alpine MRP-F450 running Boston Pro 60's in Kick panels & Pro 50's in rear doors or a 2000 King Ranch S'crew with an Alpine MRP-M850 running 2 ohm on a Kicker S12L7 dvc 2 ohm sub mounted in the rear center console in around 2 cu ft sealed. Alpine IVA-W205 head unit. Do I need to run 1/0 ga or will 4 ga supply enough power for the amps? I think the 450 can be powered up w/ 8 ga and the 850 is going to use just a little more jiuce than the 8 ga will carry safely but the combo shouldn't be more than the 4 ga can carry. Is that right?

 

You could get away with 4 awg, but I would go 0 awg. That would leave room for future upgrades/more power. That and it would suck to run the 4 awg just to pull it all out and run 0 awg.

I would go 0... Even though it is more money...

Devildog101

 

x2

I ran 4 gauge to my amps because they each only needed 8 gauge, then when something came and I had to change amps, the new one required 4 gauge. I probably could have gotten by with the one 4 gauge split then running 4 to one amp and 8 to the other, but just didn't want to do that. In the end I ran another 8 gauge so each amp is running directly to the battery with no distribution box.

Long story short, I spent the almost the same amount of money as I would have using 1/0, and it would have been a cleaner install.

Go with the 1/0.

 

And it would have saved time and effort... Like I said, it sucks having to go back in and run new/more power wire.

Good luck,
Devildog101

 

1/0 Ftw!!! Oh and as far as I can remember, the amps only allow 8ga anyways. Its been a while since I worked at the other Big Box.

 

What you want to do is run 1/0 G or 4 G from the battery to a distribution block. I used Knuconceptz..they have a nice inexpensive selection. From the distribution block you can run 1/0, 4 or 8 to the amp(s) depending on the amp and specific situation. The distribution block fittings allow you to pick the size lead to the amp that you need in your particular application. To see my set up click on this link where I have a number of different photos of the amp boards and wiring:
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...cfm?gnum=10819

I hope this helps you decision...