Combine Amps
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=6674
Printed Date: June 06, 2024 at 6:47 AM
Topic: Combine Amps
Posted By: Derrik
Subject: Combine Amps
Date Posted: December 14, 2002 at 11:57 AM
I have this crazy idea. I was just wondering... If I have 2 amps, 1 channel each, using the same RCA signal, can I combine one amp (+) with the other amp's (+), and (-) with (-) to make the output double power? The reason I ask because I have 2 lil amps and one sub. Each doesn't have enough power to drive that sub. I have never seen anyone does that, probably is not a good idea...but it always got me wondering. Thanks all.
Replies:
Posted By: webguy
Date Posted: December 14, 2002 at 12:13 PM
Nope, can't be done......... but never say never. But, nope, it can't be done
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Clean tools = Clean work!
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: December 14, 2002 at 5:02 PM
It can be done, but only with digital amplifiers. Analog amps can not process the signal fast enough and also clean enough.
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: mikec1999
Date Posted: December 14, 2002 at 11:06 PM
I'm dealing with the same situation... two small amps 100-150W each, both not powerful enough to run my Kicker, At one time I had one hooked up at speaker level and it hit really hard... then i moved it into my Grand Cherokee and in the process i decided to use RCA preamp out of my deck... ony thing is that now it sucks... using either amp... the only thing that changed is that i went from speaker level, to RCA pre-amp... it's 2v comming out of my head unit (is this normal, or does my head unit suck)... is there any way to boost the pre-amp levels ? like something in-line... just a question... or maybe i'll just have to make it ugly and go back to the speaker level and snake the wires around back to the cargo area where the amp is located... thanks in advance... Mike
Posted By: Derrik
Date Posted: December 15, 2002 at 2:52 AM
So it can be done huh? That was the situation with 2 amps. I also have this amp (the cheap kind) It has 4 channels bridgeable into 2x. The different about this amp from others is that it will take 2 RCA inputs (front and rear), 2 channels for each RCA. Let just say the outputs will be bridged so we have 1 channel for the rear RCA and 1 for the front RCA. Now can i combine the rear and the front as a single channel by connect the wire from + to + and - to -. From what i understanding is that the outputs are AC voltage, hence we can combine like double power sources. Thanks for the comments. And if it can't be done, pls state the reason(s). In the mean time, I need to look over my electronic book. I think i slept through that class =) DN
Posted By: webguy
Date Posted: December 15, 2002 at 9:56 AM
Hey Jeff, this Bud's for you......I slept thru that class too......
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Clean tools = Clean work!
Posted By: CharlzO
Date Posted: January 18, 2003 at 6:01 PM
I'm in the same boat, with a pair of great amps, and one sub that needs more kick! the only thing I could think, was that you would have to have some pretty hefty diodes in the lines to keep juice from flowing from amp to amp. Sound like anything to anyone? Cause I'd love to do that. But I ain't got no idea how to get to where I'm goin.
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