series/parallel sub wiring

Home / the12volt's Install Bay / Car Audio / series/parallel sub wiring (

Topic Closed)

Welcome Guest :)

Members

< Prev Topic Next Topic >

zerogravity3000

Member - Posts: 2

Joined: November 13, 2006

Location: Canada

Posted: August 10, 2008 at 2:27 PM / IP Logged

Does anyone have an equation for calculating a series/parallel ohm load where all the values are equal?

Because... I want to wire eight 4 ohm single voice coil subs to a mono amp that is 1 ohm stable

I could just wire them as two groups of four subs in parallel and then wire the two groups together in series for a total load of 2 ohms, But i would like to get the most out of my amp, since it is one ohm stable.

Further info:

the subs have a power handling of 120 RMS each

the amps output is rated at 760 RMS @ 2 ohm and 1200 RMS @ 1 ohm load

Search for other posts by zerogravity3000

i am an idiot

Platinum - Posts: 13,671

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: September 21, 2006

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: August 10, 2008 at 2:33 PM / IP Logged

You have 2 choices, settle for the 2 ohm load. Or buy 8 ohm woofers. .

zerogravity3000

Member - Posts: 2

Joined: November 13, 2006

Location: Canada

Posted: August 10, 2008 at 3:18 PM / IP Logged

thanks for the response...

do you mean that there are no possible combinations of series/parallel wiring for eight 4 ohm subs that is both greater than 1 ohm and less than 2 ohms?

someone suggested that if i ran five of the subs in parallel and the remaining three subs in series i would end up with a total load of 1.14 ohms (which would satisfy my power requirements for these subs) but i would like to double check the math myself...

do you (or anyone) have a link to a clear description of the proper equation for this calculation?

i am an idiot

Platinum - Posts: 13,671

Joined: September 21, 2006

Location: Louisiana, United States

Posted: August 10, 2008 at 3:37 PM / IP Logged

There is no possible (Useable) combination that will yield more than 1 but less than 2 ohms. (5) 4 ohm speakers paralleled = .8 ohms. (3) 4 ohm speakers run in series = 12 ohms. Those 2 sets ran in series = 12.8 ohms. Those 2 combinations then run in parallel = .75 ohms.

haemphyst

Platinum - Posts: 5,054

This member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.

Joined: January 19, 2003

Location: Michigan, Bouvet Island

Posted: August 10, 2008 at 5:51 PM / IP Logged

Not only that, but:

1: The amp will run hotter. (lower efficiency)

2: The distortion will be higher. (maybe inaudible, but still)

3: The damping will be lower. (less control over the bass)

4: There will be LESS THAN 3dB difference in total output. (are you competing, where this will be the difference between winning and being first loser?)

All bad (1, 2, and 3) and/or COMPLETELY un-noticeable (4).

Run the system at 2 ohms, and be happy. If you wire in an unbalanced series/parallel combination, (i.e. 3 in series with 5 in parallel... or whatever hairbrained scheme your friends told you would work... It won't.) you will have unequal output from the woofers. There is no way to acheive 1 ohm with eight 4 ohm woofers. Here's the page... You will run two sets of four woofers, just like this.

Also, check this... (Just in case you were thinking THAT might be a way around it...)

It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Search the12volt.com

Follow the12volt.com

Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

series/parallel sub wiring

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.This topic is closed.

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.