I relocated the battery to my hatch. I want to run an 8ga wire to the bay with a dist. block for misc. things (like fog lights)

should I run a good quality car audio wire? (many thin strands of copper)

or buy a high current electric wire from Lowes or Home Depot (less, but thicker strands of copper)

 

You don't lose anything by going to stranded vs. solid (not noticeable). Stranded is just easier to use. Once you get to certain sizes, all you'll find is stranded. Stereo wire has more strands with bigger wire, which makes it easier to pull. So it's up to you.

 

Why only 8AWG if you are going to the trouble of pulling wire? I pulled 4AWG under my door sill trim with 0 troubles.

 

For that long of a run I would also suggest pulling 4ga wire.

As far as the wire type goes, I've heard that the resistance is less on a many stranded cable than one with a few strands. From personal experience I've had better luck pushing more current through a wire with many strands than ones with a few.

 

Come to think of it, I've seen some 2AWG that was almost as small around as my 4AWG due to thin insulation. . .