Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

[Knot Waiting]

I'm looking for some honest opinions about the difference. Now I know that the "proper" wire for marine use should be tinned but I am installing a stereo that will require about 50 feet or more of 0 gauge. The cost between tinned and standard is quite significant. How detrimental is it to use regular 0 gauge copper over its princely tinned counterpart?

 

[Don S]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

You're in fresh water. Crimp the terminals on, then solder them, finish with some heat shrink and you are good to go.

I've done diesel starting battery cables that way and after 10 years in a salt water boat they were like new inside.
In case you are wondering, I cut the one end off to shorten the cable with the new engine and wiring and just had to cut it open and look.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

I on the other hand replaced a battery cable with untinned wire that was completely corroded. I won't use anything other than tinned now.

Of course what Don did was basically tin the wires within his crimp by soldering so proving that tinning helps.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

When I went through this a few years ago on my stereo install, the price difference was about $2/foot. For me it only worked out to an additional $30 or so. Like Bruce I've had a bad experience with untinned wire so, if it was me, I'd go ahead and spend the extra $100 so I wouldn't have to worry about it. My opinion (FWIW) is to do it right the first time. Don't cut corners; that sometimes has a way of biting you in the butt later on.

You know what the "proper" wire is, and if you really wanted to save money you probably wouldn't own a boat.

 

[Don S]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

It's a stereo for crying out loud. How often can anyone need that much power for a stereo???????????

0 Ga. that's huge.

The stereo itself will probably corrode and fail long before even an un-tinned wire with crimped ends will fail in fresh water. Even 70's engine wiring that is untinned looks new in fresh water only boats.

Of course saying "use only tinned wire is easy" when you are spending someone elses money.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

The cost between tinned and standard is quite significant.

Depends, try this place GenuineDealz.com

I agree that un-tinned wire, properly sealed in a freshwater environment, will work fine. But, why do it when you can buy tinned wire at ^^^ that place for the same cost as un-tinned wire bought locally.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

It's a stereo for crying out loud. How often can anyone need that much power for a stereo???????????

0 Ga. that's huge.

The stereo itself will probably corrode and fail long before even an un-tinned wire with crimped ends will fail in fresh water. Even 70's engine wiring that is untinned looks new in fresh water only boats.

Of course saying "use only tinned wire is easy" when you are spending someone elses money.

I guess you've never worked with stereo equipment. 0 gauge IS huge, but that's what you need to get power to an amp from any appreciable distance, especially if that amp pulls much power. From what he posted it sounds like he's done his homework already and knows what he needs. The question wasn't "is my wire too big", it was whether to go tinned or not.

If it was my money I'd spend it, and I did. He can take the advice offered (or not) and spend his money however he chooses. I'd also NEVER recommend that someone take a cheap shortcut on wiring for a boat. Do it right, or don't do it at all.

Geez Don, in your own signature line it says "Why is there never enough time to do it right the first time, but always enough time to do it again?" That's good advice, and it applies here.

 

[Don S]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

Geez Don, in your own signature line it says "Why is there never enough time to do it right the first time, but always enough time to do it again?" That's good advice, and it applies here.

There is a difference between doing something right, and overdoing it because it makes good press.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

There is a difference between doing something right, and overdoing it because it makes good press.

If you think this is about appearances then I have to ask; how many high end stereo installs have you done on a boat?

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

i used the old wires from my trailer, a free amp and free speakers, all salvaged/repaired eqipment. sounds great, the used wires will likely outlast the speakers or amp

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

Doesn't matter if its fresh water either. You will still get corrosion. I have fixed enough sprinkler systems that used wire nuts on untinned wire to see that. You basically have to cut back the wire nearly a foot to see wire that isn't black with corrosion sometimes.

I also question the need for 0 gauge on a stereo. Seems kind of ridiculous.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

As always I appreciate the replies from both sides and the wealth of knowledge this site contains. I guess my biggest reason for asking the question was because I am well over budget on this project already and if I could justifiably avoid dropping another $100 on tinned, well, then I'd be on board to do so.

I understand there is always a right way but I can agree with Don that the difference between right and overdone can often be lost when it's someone else's money. I feel fairly confident that I'm not sabotaging myself by using pure copper so long as I'm diligent about sealing the exposed ends.

Zero gauge is to bring power to a 2400 watt twin amp set up and run 4 batteries together in parellel

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

Curious what your power requirements are that you need 0 Gauge. Care to share?

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

Wiring 4 batteries through an ACR and then splitting out to a distribution block where it will become two 4 gauge leads going to separate 1200 watt amps.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

For situational awareness....

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

Wiring 4 batteries through an ACR and then splitting out to a distribution block where it will become two 4 gauge leads going to separate 1200 watt amps.

What is your total roundtrip length for each amp?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

For situational awareness....

A chart like that is kinda useless unless you know what percent voltage loss is allowable. A 1%, 5%, 15%, and 20% will yield totally different curves and totally depends on what your circuit needs.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

What is your total roundtrip length for each amp?

That part is up in the air yet. The boat still has the cover on it and it's far too cold here yet to dive into this project. I have an idea but was planing to use a chart like emilsr posted to reign in the lengths.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

What is your allowable voltage drop? If your roundtrip was 20' and you can tolerate 5% drop, you could use 4 gauge no problem. I take it your amp manufacturer is recommending this size?

You are way better off using a calculator where you enter your allowable %drop and enter your length than a chart like that. You can find them online.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Power Wire: Tinned vs. Bare Copper

A chart like that is kinda useless unless you know what percent voltage loss is allowable. A 5%, 15% and 20% will yield totally different curves and totally depends on what your circuit needs.

This chart is for mobile audio; industry standard stuff and VERY useful planning an install. The allowable voltage drop is already worked into the equation. Of course you could re-invent the wheel and do all the math again, but why?