plan to have 2 amps. do i need power upgrade?

dave9382 · Post by **dave9382** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 4:34 pm

I have pretty much planned out my stereo system for my vibe (Ive got a Base one without the moon and tunes system).Am going to be installing 2 pairs Polk 6 1/2 components (or possibily 1 pair components and 1 pair fullrange) speakers and going to power then with a 4 X 80WRMS multichannel amp. I also have a 15" Cerwin Vega Sub I am going to be powering with a 500WRMS (when bridges) Fosgate amp. Im not really a wiring or electronics person. I dont understand much of it other than designing the system.. Does anyone know if I would have to upgrade my Vibe's battery/altenator/power in order to be running 2 amps as Ive described? My 500W Fosgate amp ran just fine in my old 93 Maxima with a Bose audio system in it but am wondering if 2amps would be too much strain on a vibes battery... Ill obviously have replaced the factory headunit(or would I even need to replace the factory head unit since amps would be driving all my speakers.. though Im assuming my factory head unit does not have any preamp outputs much less 2...) as well with a basic Sony/Panasonic head unit.

tangerine · Post by **tangerine** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:59 pm

Get a 1 fard stinger capacitor for your sub amp and a red top stinger battery and your good to go. On a side note: Rocksford over-rates their amps now so a 500w doesn't really give the full 500 anymore, with a 15" sub your gonna need atleast 600 watts, if its underpowered one set of hard bumps and your gonna blow the voice coil.

dave9382 · Post by **dave9382** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 11:58 pm

My Fosgate amp is an older model. Its worked great for 3 or 4 years. But anyway... I dont really know anything about electronics etc.. Could you perhaps translate what you just said a little?... Do you have a link to a webpage for these components/battery upgrade? Also will crutchfield be able to upgrade my battery for me if it needs it and how much about is that gonna run me? Thanks for your response...

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 12:09 am

I don't think Crutchfield sells Optimas anymore.That much wattage shouldn't hurt your electrical system if you don't run it with the car off. You should be more concerned about replacing or getting the alternator rewound.Anyway, yes, get a capacitor or two, that will help the sub. And as said, 500w for a 15" sub sounds very low. Check up on what the rating of the sub is. If that 500w isn't enough, then you'll easily blow the sub.

dave9382 · Post by **dave9382** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 12:47 am

Cerwin Vega V-Max 1515" Subwoofer20 - 500 HzRMS: 400 wattsPeak: 1000 wattsâ€¢SVC models 4ohms nominalâ€¢DVC models 4ohms nominal coil14-3/32" (358 mm)7-1/8" (180.9 mm)is my sub (or a newer model of what I have but close enough), like I said my sub/amp combo has run great in my Nissan Maxima for 3 or 4 years. Anyway, anybody recommend where I should go to talk to about getting and installing some capacitors? Was hoping Crutchfield would be able to do it since Im getting most of my stuff from them. Would it be absolutely necessary to replace the alternator? Will I have to worry about the car dying from too much power drawing in the middle of my drive or should I be ok? I plan on not running the system unless the car is on and probably wont have it past 1/2 - 3/4 volume (if that makes a difference) Sorry guys I obviously dont really know what I am talking about. I appreciate any of your advice, Thanks so much, David

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 2:32 am

If that's what the rating on the sub is, you should be fine. Crutchfield has caps, so that's not a problem. You probably won't need to replace the alternator with your setup.I have one 1 farad cap for my subs, you might want a 1.5 or even a 2 farad to be safe, but it's generally reguarded that 1 farad is good for 500w of power. So 1.5 should be more than enough to handle your sub. Your other amp shouldn't need one.Pretty much any shop can install a capacitor, even Bestbuy/Circuit City.

dave9382 · Post by **dave9382** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 3:23 am

i never had to install a capacitor for my amp/sub in my old maxima and it worked absolutely fine? is that because it was the only amp and now that I am installing an additional amp in my new vehicle (for a total of 2) I need to have a cap for the sub?

dave9382 · Post by **dave9382** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 4:14 am

One last question.. If your pretty sure i need a capacitor could someone look at this page and tell me which of these caps would work with my 05 vibe? (I know nothing about electronics just want to make sure to order the right thing) I guess one of the 1 or 1.5s.. Whatever you recommend... I think these guys have pretty good prices.. http://www.onlinecarstereo.com...ID=26Thanks again

tangerine · Post by **tangerine** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 6:00 am

You don't have to install a capacitor but when you start getting really hard hits you'll need it there since your lights will dim, and some times even shut off. I had to get a capacitor when I was pushing a 300w amp because when I'd play some Lil John hits and the bass would start boomin fast as a mudda cruising at night my headlights would start flashing and get me in trouble. Any Capacitor will work, they hook to your amp, as far as brand I'd look into getting 'Stinger' great quality and price. EDIT: forgot to inclose link: http://stingerelectronics.com/...l.aspYou only need 1 Farad Capacitor per 1000 watts so one will do, but as far as battery if your playing this while driving I'd get a red top Stinger battery, if you play it with your car off from time to time I'd get a yellow top.If its an older rocksford, then yea your good to go as the new taco bell commercial would say . The last 2 years rocksford has plummited.

dave9382 · Post by **dave9382** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 6:48 am

i usually dont play hard hitting rap or anything. most of my hard hits are intermittent. usually just classic rock/ alt rock or more droning bass type things. perhaps I will be ok. Ill probably end up hooking everything up and testing things out then deciding if I need a capacitor. I really just hope my vibe stock battery and alternator are good enough but from what you guys are saying I should be ok. Thanks for all the advice...

tangerine · Post by **tangerine** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 8:14 am

They should be fine if thats all you play. I was pushing almost 5000 watts with HPM pro capacitor, a Red top stinger battery and the original alternator.

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 12:06 pm

Yeah, try it. Chances are it could be fine. But if not, a cap, then changing out your battery are your first two things to do.

HamiltonAudio · Post by **HamiltonAudio** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 4:59 am

Sorry if I disagree - a capacitor in car audio is nothing more than a bandaid to cover up electrical issues not dealt with correctly.First, the accepted rule is 1 farad of capacitance for every 1000 wrms of power. He's not even at 1000 wrms, so 1 farad is lots. Second, if the system is setup properly (big 3 upgrade, proper awg power cable and solid chassis grounds) there should be no need for a capacitor at all. For reliability and key-off time purposes, I highly recommend an Optima Yellowtop - I sell them like crazy for just those two reasons.The amp he's got will more than power the sub he has. I'm not sure why people think that a "15 inch sub needs at least 600 watts". Based on what? You should be powering the subwoofer based on its thermal limits, the box design and the owners wallet.A quality installer should be able to get your equipment installed, without new batteries or capacitors without a problem. If you have substantial voltage drop, a capacitor will do nothing but cover it up.... the underlying deficiency is still there.just my 0.02bmoney

tecton · Post by **tecton** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 8:29 am

i have 2 600w amps in my car and no cap, dont notice any dimming either

HamiltonAudio · Post by **HamiltonAudio** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 10:33 am

Its not surprising man. One of my clients DB Drag cars is running over 3000 wrms. He's got only a 160a alternator and an Optima Yellowtop. Dimming is not a problem....Sorry to have come off strong, but its aggravating to see such misinformation being passed along as if it was gospel - thats all. Quality and correct installation often negates the need for many of these "bandaid" procedures....bmoney

binary · Post by **binary** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 12:03 pm

Quote, originally posted by HamiltonAudio Â»Sorry to have come off strong, but its aggravating to see such misinformation being passed along as if it was gospel - thats all. Quality and correct installation often negates the need for many of these "bandaid" procedures....Hey, information like that is always appreciated. When we're told the wrong stuff over and over - it's becomes right. Heck, look at the average history book.

HamiltonAudio · Post by **HamiltonAudio** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 12:53 am

Yeah, I know. The more we say it to ourselves, the more we like to think its true. Glad to see you have an open mind!bmoney

plan to have 2 amps. do i need power upgrade?

plan to have 2 amps. do i need power upgrade?

Re: (tangerine)

Re: (Jahntassa)

Re: (HamiltonAudio)