subwoofer power

[steham]

right...this MAY well be a really stupid question....but please bare with me...
Grande punto sporting with standard head unit in it, I have purchased off ebay an in-phase compact under-seat subwoofer to connect up to it.

The question is this....do I HAVE to run it's power cable through the bulkhead to connect directly to the battery....or can I connect up to the power supply on the head unit??

 

[Eklipze3k]

You'll need to connect to the battery.

 

[steham]

I kinda knew that would be the answer...lol...cheers

 

[smokeyjoe03]

I don't mean this to sound offensive or anything but if you NEED to ask that question, you shouldn't be messing with ANY electrical system in the car. Take it to an electrician and have it fitted, don't risk setting the car alight.

 

[volxstu]

Well reading up a few pages here would help with the basics. All that is needed is to educate the fact that current draw is relative to power.
The standard sub is probably something like 20w RMS. Thus it's wiring will reflect that.
An after Market sub is likely to be in excess of 250w RMS so at the very least you want an 8gauge (always work in gauge when it comes to cable), but I recommend using 4 gauge for a simple system. That way you are well protected and future proof. Until you need 0 gauge anyway but then when your to that level re running cables is the least of your worries.

Joe's point is still very valid. Don't take silly risks as it's easy to underestimate how badly things can go wrong.