My winter project build thread!

[Carranza913]

I am getting so frustrated! Every thread I have read says 12awg wire for the tower.. I have rgb rings so I shrink wrapped some insulated 12awg with rgb to help it get through and it is to big...

Fu**

Any ideas?


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[Carranza913]

I got it through the top as you can see but it is not going through the bottom. E series tower. Also find it odd that my boat is a 2008 z1 yet my tower says otherwise.


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[Bamer]

I am getting so frustrated! Every thread I have read says 12awg wire for the tower.. I have rgb rings so I shrink wrapped some insulated 12awg with rgb to help it get through and it is to big...

Fu**

Any ideas?


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Might could splice a short section of smaller wire where the access is restricted and keep the larger gauge for 95% of the length of wire. This would require some creative soldering skills.


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[Carranza913]

Bamer, I think that would defeat the purpose.. wire is like chain I believe.. only as good as your weakest link.. also I don’t want any breaks in wire.. at this point I’m probably just going to run 14 or 16 true awg


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[Bamer]

Bamer, I think that would defeat the purpose.. wire is like chain I believe.. only as good as your weakest link.. also I don’t want any breaks in wire.. at this point I’m probably just going to run 14 or 16 true awg


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There are 2 things to consider when choosing wire size: power dissipated in the wire and signal loss. Signal loss would be minimal since the length of smaller wire is short. The tricky part is to make sure the smaller wire can handle the current and not heAt pass what the wire is rated for.

No breaks in the wire is a good practice too. That should reduce risk of future problems.


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[Carranza913]

Ok good to know... the frustrating part is that I have made it through the top and made it from the picture to the bottom where it meets the hull. I can’t get it further than that. It’s literally right there!


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[chpthril]

Every thread I have read says 12awg wire for the tower

Sadly this a blanket statement from someone that did not actually make the wire gauge calculations, or its missing the context as to how they came to the conclusion of using 12ga. being for a tower speaker has zero to do with the proper wire gauge.

[Carranza913]

I think I can get it... I hope the tower closes!


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[Carranza913]

Chp- not sure what you mean about proper calculations. If you are referring to the fact that I am not a professional wire installer you would be correct. Like most on this site I just like to work on my boat for fun. I look to guys like you for positive encouragement and solid information to help me get the job done.


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[Carranza913]

And the 12awg wire is for a set of rev10s


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[chpthril]

Chp- not sure what you mean about proper calculations. If you are referring to the fact that I am not a professional wire installer you would be correct. Like most on this site I just like to work on my boat for fun. I look to guys like you for positive encouragement and solid information to help me get the job done.


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Not commenting at/about you, but all the threads you read that say to use "X" gauge wire for the tower. Those saying, either did not calculate the factors to come to the proper gauge, or the how they came to the conclusion of "X" gauge is missing from the threads. 12ga is not the proper gauge simply because its a tower. Cable gauge is a calculation. You would use the same values whether it was a tower or in-boat speaker.

And the 12awg wire is for a set of rev10s


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In reality, the size or type of speaker, is not part of the equation. You could power a 15" subwoofer with 28ga.

[Carranza913]

So I should say that I read a few posts on here of people with e series towers putting rev10s and 12ga was recommended. Also read other posts on other sites with same stereo configuration that recommend 12ga and wetsounds recommends 12ga so I settled on 12ga. I am fine using 14ga but I’m going to try and get the 12ga through..

I wasn’t really looking for an opinion on what wire was correct. I was more just voicing my opinion on how frustrating running wires can be.. and if anyone had any tips.


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[Carranza913]

It looks like after calculating as chp said I can use 14ga for my 4ohm speakers with under 40ft of wire... that really stinks. Oh well


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[chpthril]

I wasn’t really looking for an opinion on what wire was correct.

Im not trying to tell you what cable to use.

[freeheel4life]

2 quick questions. Is the RGB aready insulated in a bundle with the 12AWG or was it a seperate 4 wire with insulation??
Second, what is your HIN #. Will probably explain 07 sticker. If your HIN ends in 708 that would explain it.

I use the stainlless steel "guts" out of throttle and shift cables to fish wire in towers. It will make bends without getting kinked and you can grab it with a pair of vice grips and get it to twist when you run into dead ends.