Proper Amplifier Grounding

[HuskerTRD]

Correct me if I'm wrong but if I ground my new amplifiers nearby to the body I do not need to route a long negative (ground) cable back from the amps to the negative post on the battery?
Also, I have noticed multiple distrubution blocks that state they are for grounding use. I will have a 2 amp system so would it be wise to tie both grounds together and then ground the 1 wire coming out of the distribution block? Or would it be better to ground each amp individually?
I tried searching, but could not find any definitive answer.
Thanks

[Mr Marv]

You are correct that it is not necessary to run the ground wire all the way back to the battery as long as you have a solid ground point nearby and a distribution block is not necessary either (I have 3 amps grounded in 3 different spots with no problems)

[thoughthard]

Factory grounds are a great grounding option.

[AOTaco]

You want to ground all your amps at the same spot the reason for this is to elminate ground loops or engine wine. you dont always get this but better safe then sorry. you also wnat to run your power cables on the oppisite side of the vehicle from your RCA this also helps to prevent ground loops. you can run a 4AWG ground cable into one of your distirbution blocks and from the block you can run a 8AWG to each amp.

[Mr Marv]

A ground loop is caused when one grounds potential is different than the other so it is possible to get noise when using separate ground points. Grounding everything together is not mandatory however should eliminate that worry as mentioned as long as it's a good ground point. In any case proper grounding practice is of the utmost importance ie making sure the metal is bare, sanding any "coatings" from factory bolts used to ground, proper size cable, solid crimp connections when used and making sure the spot chosen is not "isolated" from the ground plane as can be the case with the way some newer vehicles are manufactured. Also, poorly designed or defective equipment may cause ground loop noise which can be a real pain to diagnose/get rid of!
BTW, I posted a bit of info concerning "separating" power/other wires on the thread below.
Just a little info I'd like to pass along..

[moldycheese]

make sure your ground wire comming off your body to your battery is of a sufficient size. if your body-battery wire is only 8 gauge and you are running alot of power into it, all your work is for not.

[fredberg]

Originally Posted by Mr Marv

You are correct that it is not necessary to run the ground wire all the way back to the battery as long as you have a solid ground point nearby and a distribution block is not necessary either (I have 3 amps grounded in 3 different spots with no problems)

Mr. Marv,

im runnin an Alpine HU, a Clarion active EQ, and an MTX amp for the front speakers. i'm gettin some moderate alternator whine.

so how shall i ground my components? shall i ground all of them in 1 place? some say the factory ground for the radio is not good. i get differing opinions on the internet. thnx 4 listening!