Amp Power cables - Is Silver wire ok?

[Waterski-Rebel]

My amp power cables showed up today, and although I ordered Black and Red cables, they shipped Brown and Silver. It is still 8 AWG wire (at least they got that right).

One of the wires is copper (the brown one), but the silver one is actually silver wire. They put clear shielding on it, with silver wire. I have no idea what type of metal it is.

Should I ask them to send me some copper cable to replace it, or is the silver stuff ok to use?

thanks!

[CP3]

I would ask them what material it is, copper is the best conductor, hence the expense

If its not what you ordered send it back, could be some cheap wire rip off

[chpthril]

Sounds like std amp wire so the correct gauge is the only importance here, roll with it.

[chpthril]

Could be tinned copper actually.

[CP3]

Sounds like std amp wire so the correct gauge is the only importance here, roll with it.

are you sure? from reading that website I bought my wire from there can be a good difference in the amp rating even if it is the same size

[chpthril]

are you sure? from reading that website I bought my wire from there can be a good difference in the amp rating even if it is the same size

Well, I'll leave to someone that knows more then me as to why Knuconcepts shows different current ratings on the same ga wire I've only known to look at amp (current) load x length for AWG size.

[philwsailz]

In all probability it is tinned copper. Tinned copper is actually preferred in a marine environment; it does not go green with corrosion over time.

I will back CHP on this I think. If you are okay with the color, use it.

You bought it from a car stereo shop, right?

[Waterski-Rebel]

I bought it from hwy836 on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=018

The add say's it's copper, but it also says it's red and black. I got clear/silver and brown.

I have emailed the seller to find out what type of metal it is. If it's tinned copper, I'm going ahead and using it, if it's not, I need to order some copper from someone else, and see if I can get it here by the weekend.

thanks guys!

[philwsailz]

I think the key thing here is that it is probably not commercial, house, welding, etc... wire.

What you received could be considered along the lines of bait and switch, but it should work.

Is there any printing on the jacket/insulation on the wire? IF so, what does it say?

[Waterski-Rebel]

It says "Audiopipe HWY 836.U>S>A 8Gauge Power Cable POWC-9 Copium Cable 1FT"

What is Copium? (Both the copper and silver cable say copium).

If I keep these 2 cables, should I use the silver one for the ground, or the power?

thanks

[philwsailz]

It says "Audiopipe HWY 836.U>S>A 8Gauge Power Cable POWC-9 Copium Cable 1FT"

What is Copium? (Both the copper and silver cable say copium).

If I keep these 2 cables, should I use the silver one for the ground, or the power?

thanks

What you have is fine, and you can use either wire for power. The amp does not care, nor will it know the difference...

[G-MONEY]

Could be tinned copper actually.

Bingo.......

[Tanner]

Speaking of wire... I'll say this. Kicker's 0 AWG wire is AWESOME. Stuff's about as flexible as a wet noodle. Definately makes it easy to work with. Sometimes 0 AWG can be a bit stiff... not this stuff.

[Jason B]

I just sent that same $%^&*^ SOB 8 negative feedbacks. THat POS refused to answer 4 emails and charged me $47 to ship fuses and fuse holders!!!! The F&*(er only responde in any way after I left him neg. feedback for all 8 item he was supposed to combine the shipping for...and then surprisingly he responds in less than 5 minutes-- funny how that works huh!?

DON'T BUY FROM HWY836!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought it from hwy836 on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=018

The add say's it's copper, but it also says it's red and black. I got clear/silver and brown.

I have emailed the seller to find out what type of metal it is. If it's tinned copper, I'm going ahead and using it, if it's not, I need to order some copper from someone else, and see if I can get it here by the weekend.

thanks guys!

[spharis]

I think copium is a copper/aluminum wire. It does not have the same conductivity as pure oxygen free copper, but it will still be OK for you to use in many many applications. It conducts just fine.

I am pretty sure copium is made by running aluminum wire through an copper-chloride bath (similar to a step in plating). The result is a a copper aluminum metal/tinned wiring that will not oxidize like copper will. The aluminum basically dissolves away and leaves copper metal. This is just a guess though and it sounds good, right?

There is also a copium that is a copper clad aluminum. This is used a lot in budget speaker wire.