How to hook up 2 amps?

[brownguy06]

hey i was wondering about running 2 12's but having one amp for each sub. but i dont really know how to hook up both amps if the radio only has one sub output.. can someone shoot me some advice so i dont end up messing anything up. thanks.

[03AcuraCLTypeS]

if your amps have rca in and out put its easy...run a set of rca's from the radio to one of the amps input channels then get a short set of rca's and go from that subs output to your over subs input... i would runs a power wire back to a splitter block and then take 2 a power wire to each, ground both the amps good then do a set of speaker wire from each amp to each sub...make sure when u tune the amps to tune them both the same so your subs both hit the same and one doesn't over power the other, it could make the subs sounds like shit, depends on accoustice of the car/truck/whatever....do that and

[Notladstyle]

The easiest way is to take the 4ga crimp, and crimp both ga wires into it. it requires a bit of shaving the wires down and you will prolly want to heat shrink the end of the crimp after to hide all the mess but its the fastest and cleanest way to do it.

Most amps have line outputs to chain the RCAs, and the remote wire is cake as well.

RUN SEPARATE GROUNDS to the same location. Dont chain them.

http://i27.tinypic.com/25rjymb.jpg

[03AcuraCLTypeS]

only thing i dont agree with is i would use a distrubution block instead of crimping the wires together still looks clean and they usually have fuses to help protect incase something happens

[brownguy06]

thanks for the info guys...yeah i was a little confused i did not want to mess nothing up.

[Notladstyle]

only thing i dont agree with is i would use a distrubution block instead of crimping the wires together still looks clean and they usually have fuses to help protect incase something happens

id rock a distro block if you have a solid brass block, theres no need for fuses in a distro block unless you are adding a battery. fuses would do nothing but add resistance and lower the line voltage.

But almost all OEM wiring is done by crimp splicing and heatshrink. Its the most cost effective and reliable method of automotive wiring.

[brownguy06]

ive always wondered how people ran so many amps together..is that why there is a master and slave setting on the amps..or is that somthing else?

[Notladstyle]

ive always wondered how people ran so many amps together..is that why there is a master and slave setting on the amps..or is that somthing else?

The master & slave setting is to allow multiple amps to drive ONE subwoofer. The master slave setting is to tell the slave amps to synchronize their output with the master amp so that all amps are sending the EXACT same signal to the sub.

The reason that is important is that even a minute difference in output including noise will create opposing voltages which will result in excessive heat and damage to the amps.

[brownguy06]

ok so that has nothing to do with what im trying to accomplish..i dont have to use those settings to run the 2 subs..just connect the rca jacks and set the amps to the identical settings of each other and wahla im in business..did i get everything i want to make sure i did not leave a step out.

[Notladstyle]

ok so that has nothing to do with what im trying to accomplish..i dont have to use those settings to run the 2 subs..just connect the rca jacks and set the amps to the identical settings of each other and wahla im in business..did i get everything i want to make sure i did not leave a step out.

nope no need for master slave.

The most important thing is to run separate ground wires but run them to the SAME spot on the car. Otherwise you will introduce noise into the RCA cables.

Also use the shortest RCA cables between the amps as possible and try not to coil the cable (run the excess flat and zip tie it)

[brownguy06]

so thats makes a big difference when there is alot of play between the rca cables or when there crossed?

[Notladstyle]

so thats makes a big difference when there is alot of play between the rca cables or when there crossed?

Long low quality RCAs can cause two problems:

The RCA cables have a shield over the signal lead that is grounded at the source - when you link two amps together via RCAs you are also linking their grounds. So if the impedance(resistance) to the amplifier's true ground (the wires you run to the chasis from the - post) is significantly different, the alternator will produce noise between the two amps.

The longer the RCA wires, the more aluminum shield there is protecting the signal lead. The aluminum is meant to reject emi from other electronic components and RF in the air from your signal (to keep it from getting amplified) but if you have excessively long RCAs, the aluminum shield will actually act as an antenna and gather up all the EMI and in turn the signal lead will send that EMI to the amplifier.


Cliffnotes:

Long RCAs make alternator hum and introduce static into your signal.

[brownguy06]

ook so thats why somtimes you have that hum or whistle noise come out from you speakers when you driving then.

[Notladstyle]

ook so thats why somtimes you have that hum or whistle noise come out from you speakers when you driving then.
roger.

[brownguy06]

ok got it...