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How to hook up 2 amps?

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Old Mar 1, 2008 | 10:31 PM
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Question How to hook up 2 amps?

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.
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Old Mar 2, 2008 | 04:39 AM
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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
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Old Mar 2, 2008 | 07:22 AM
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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.

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Old Mar 2, 2008 | 07:53 AM
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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
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Old Mar 2, 2008 | 08:35 AM
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thanks for the info guys...yeah i was a little confused i did not want to mess nothing up.
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Old Mar 2, 2008 | 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by 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
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.
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Old Mar 2, 2008 | 08:39 AM
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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?
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Old Mar 2, 2008 | 08:43 AM
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Originally Posted by 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?
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.
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Old Mar 2, 2008 | 08:46 AM
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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.
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Old Mar 2, 2008 | 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by 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.
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)
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