Amp hook-up question?

da5176

I'm wanting to install a 4 channel amp in my car. I already have an amp to power a sub. The power wire is 4 awg. The question is this: What is the best way to go about wiring both amps? Do I need more than 1 power wire, can you split from this to power 2 amps? I've heard of using some kind of capacitor in this sort of set-up. Do I need one? What's the best way to wire 4 speakers and a sub with 2 amps? How does everyone else have their system hooked-up? Any suggestions on what equipment to get would also be appreciated. My budget is whatever it takes, but I don't want to spend the most $ possible. Just what I need to get the job done decently. Thanks for any help and suggestions:D

Current system as follows:
HU- Pioneer DEH-P4800MP
FRONTS- Infinity 6010CS (6 1/2" components)
REARS- MTX TDX6502 (6 1/2" 2-ways)
SUB- 12" Infinity in ported box
SUB AMP- Rockford Fosgate P3001
4 channel speaker amp- (Undecided, suggestions welcomed)

1996blackmax

I would just do another cable run.

You could also get a distribution block and run the 4ga wire to it, then from there split it into a couple of 8ga power wires for the amps. This is assuming that both amps will be ok running off of one 4ga wire run.

Stay away from power capacitors.

Bran

Hey I also have some probally really basic amp wiring questions....I want to mount a 2x100 amp under my passenger seat. Do I have to do anything special: insulation? cut carpet out from under it? Also I cant see anyway past my power wires and speaker wires crossing, how bad is this? Its not crossing if they arent touching right?

Any other suggestions...I am sorta feeling my way along:D

Brandon

badboyspack

Stinger makes a power block, 1 run and it will seperate to 2 power ports from there

MacLeod

Speaker wires arent that suceptible to induced noise so it shouldnt be a problem.

However there should be a way to keep your power and signal wires seperated. Run the power wires down one side and the signal wires down the other side.

Dont worry about wire length differences either. Some people may try to sell you on that. Its crap. The signal is travelling at the speed of light and the time it takes to traverse and extra 5 feet of wire is immeasurable.

1996blackmax

I think you could measure it, being able to notice a difference is something else .

MacLeod

I figured it up once a while back. I cant remember exactly what it was but with 5 feet extra length, it would take the signal which is travelling at 186,000 miles per SECOND someting like .0000000005 seconds. Thats something like 5 billionths of a billionth of a second!!!

Not only are you NEVER going to pick up on a delay that small, but your speakers wouldnt be able to reproduce it anyway.

exalted512

MacLeod wrote:

The signal is travelling at the speed of light and the time it takes to traverse and extra 5 feet of wire is immeasurable.

wouldnt it be traveling at the speed of sound?
-Cody

1996blackmax

MacLeod wrote:

I figured it up once a while back. I cant remember exactly what it was but with 5 feet extra length, it would take the signal which is travelling at 186,000 miles per SECOND someting like .0000000005 seconds. Thats something like 5 billionths of a billionth of a second!!!

Not only are you NEVER going to pick up on a delay that small, but your speakers wouldnt be able to reproduce it anyway.

Just messing with you .

MacLeod

exalted512 wrote:

wouldnt it be traveling at the speed of sound?
-Cody

Yeah, after the speakers convert it into soundwaves. Up til then though its an electrical signal and as such is moving at the speed 'o light.

hexon

I had a car audio shop called soundman to run my amp kit. they ran the power, remote, and signal wires next to each other down to my trunk. I was sorta upset, but I don't know what it would sound like if they weren't next to each other so I am okay with it, since I like the sound. It would be a huge hastle to redo the wire because I would have to take out my stock head unit to get to the wire output converter, then I would have to run the wiredown the side of my car, and then find a way to get into my trunk to pull the wire through considering my whole trunk is basically the db212-2.

So now I need someone to tell me that this is okay, and that I don't need to worry about it. If they don't tell me this then I will probably dwell on it for a while and rewire, so please just tell me it is no big deal : ).

1996blackmax

If you do not have any noise issues no need to do anything...

MacLeod

Agreed.

Youd know it if you had a problem real quick. The little telltale whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine as youre driving down the road. If you dont have this, dont worry about it.

hexon

good i dont have any problems then

MacLeod

My pappy used to say, "if it aint broke, dont fix it".