I am installing a carPC an AMP. Can i link the groun wires together & run them via one wire to a suitable ground location? Finally, what do i do with the negative terminal/wire? It isn't practical to wire it back to the battery, so an i ground it out...or should it be run back to the battery?

Thanks guys

you can link any to the unpainted parts of the car body/chassis. this is linked to the engine block as a ground and eventually will lead to the -ve of the battery.

Ideally if you can have separate wires going to ground it will be better than wires joined together then join one wire to ground..

Thanks for the response mate, so both the -ve and ground are attached to the bare metal. Can that be the same location or different locations?

Is there any gauge of wire that should be used for the ground? Its a 800watt generic AMP (so nowhere near that power) an a 160w carPC.

-ve means negative, assuming your still talking 'normal' DC electronics it is same as ground. Grounding wires can be same location.

800w rms or max? would need the rms power. Im using 8 awg for my 800w rms amp iirc.. if its 800w max i assume your rms will be ~300-400w and 10awg would do.

Oh to add.. connect the grounds FIRST. Connect the live at the battery end LAST.. lol

Edited 25 July, 201015 yr by JLneonhug

Thanks for the response, especially on the ground wiring being first....that's probably not what I would have one so I think you just saved me from a nasty shock!

I think the 800watt is peak. It is just a cheap generic AMP for now, once working (touch wood) ill start replacing bits with some higher end stuff. So whilst not ideal (just want to see if this works before I start finalising it) I would be alright having the ground from the carPC & AMP and the negatives from both all located at the same point? Sorry for all the questions, i'd rather not screw this up & short circuit my octy...or myself!

Edited 26 July, 201015 yr by Guest

Sorry - didnt see post, Im guessing you may have done it already.. but I'll answer anyway..

Yeah, same point should be fine.

There will be a little spark mind when you do connect the live.

Normally when connecting stuff it would be live first (e.g. jump leads), but in this case I personally don't like rummaging in the boot for an earth while the live is attached..

Thanks for that JLneonhug, everytime I see the spark I run round the car to make sure nothing is on fire, good to know i'm not the only one who sees sparks!