This was NOT copper and NOT 8 AWG, but copper coated aluminum that is badly undersized. This should be disclosed and max amperage should be specified for safety! AWG amp ratings are based upon real copper that is true to diameter.
See attached photos for a real 8 AWG Rockford Fosgate pure copper cable (left) vs. BOSS cheap copper coated aluminum undersized cable (right). Both are labeled 8 AWG but notice one has four or more times the cross sectional area of metal, and you can see the silver glint of aluminum of the cheapo skimpy cable. The Rockford Fosgate kit was 20 bucks more but you get what you pay for. A full thickness, pure copper cable.
Unless you are installing a 150 W or lower amplifier, don't risk the "savings" of buying this garbage- pick a better brand that uses real true gauge and copper. What BOSS are giving you amounts to a 10 or even 12 gauge copper wire.
Aluminum does not have the conductivity and thermal capability that copper does so you already need a thicker cable to match a true gauge copper one. It is especially alarming that the gauge is not true on any of the Boss kits as well as using coated aluminum. This looks like a good way to start a fire if you ran anything significant off of it. Fifteen or twenty bucks of savings vs. the Rockford Fosgate or another brand of real wire is not worth a car fire or damaged audio equipment risk. Buying a good brand will let you calculate real numbers vs. the current tables and know the cable can handle it without heating.
I am disgusted that a company could so blatantly skimp on quality to the point of a safety problem but not advertise honestly. Selling cheap cables is fine- but tell us what they REALLY are!
Amazon you need to ban this dishonest product and company, or force them to disclose their wire specifications honestly. This should be advertised and sold as COATED ALUMINUM 10 or even 12 AWG because that is exactly what it is.
- Amazon Business : For business-only pricing, quantity discounts and FREE Shipping. Register a free business account
