what gauge power wire to use?
 

I know all the wiring kits say the wattage for certain gauge wires ie 8a=600watts, 4a=1000 watts, but i am wondering if the wattage that is listed to the appropriate gauge, is RMS or MAX watts?

RMS but you should be looking a the amount of amps the amp draws.

thanks... i just looked at my amp's manual on jl audios website and it told me the minimal accepted wire ga to use..

Another thing to keep in mind is that in most cases you can run a larger guage wire than what is required. We do this quite often keeping in mind that either the amp may be upgraded or an amplifier may be added to the system. Running a larger ga wire will accomodate upgrades later on and you don't have to do it all over again!

And if you use 8 gauge wire, but run 100 feet of it, it won't hold all the 600 watts, you will lose out on power during the travel. If your amp takes a smaller size, use 4 gauge or w.e back to a distro block, then the appropriate wire size after that.
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yea, i am most likely going to go for the 4ga wire just to be safe... thanks guys!

I always run a 1/0 to the rear of the car and distro out from there...that way your ready for any upgrades and always have the power on tap so to speak...

It's DC so it can't be RMS, it is Max power being represented.