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Old 08-14-2007, 01:24 AM   #1
Pyrotechnic
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 3,930
Amplifier Power Connection Point

For years I've understood the main power cable for amplifiers to connect to the positive terminal of the battery. On a 73-87, the main path from the output terminal of the alternator to the battery is a 10 gauge wire thats meant only to charge the battery. It doesn't need to be huge because the battery doesn't charge instantly.

If you had the truck running and the sound system turned up with the amplifiers connected to the battery, would that be forcing all that current to be drawn from that 10 gauge charging wire ?

I know most modern cars have the alternator wired directly to the battery, which is why the connection point at the battery is fairly common knowledge, I'm just wondering if special care should be taken when dealing with the wiring in these trucks.

In my 78 I had a small 35Wx2 amp connected to the battery with 10 gauge, and I never had a problem, but of course the output and current draw of this amp is quite small.
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