need help with zapco z50c2 amp
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=10946
Printed Date: August 13, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Topic: need help with zapco z50c2 amp
Posted By: equalizir
Subject: need help with zapco z50c2 amp
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 6:45 PM
hi all,i got this amp off ebay a couple weeks ago.its a zapco z50c2 competition amp.its rated at 2x25 into a 4 ohm load.but on the outside of the amp its stable at 1 ohm.i bought the amp to drive one 12 "subwoofer.it also has a button that u can switch from mono to stereo.my question is how should i wire to my sub?should i use the amp to its full capacity and bring it to a 1 ohm load or use it in 4ohm?if anyone can give me advice on how to set this amp up and also recommend a sub for this amp id really appreciate it.thanks in advance
Replies:
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 6:54 PM
In order to tell you how to wire it need to know the model # of the sub. If you want to run it as a sub amp then you would run it in mono. But if you wanted it to run at one ohm you would need a sub that has 2 ohm dvc voice coils.
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 7:02 PM
Sorry I stand corrected the lowest it will go bridged is a 2 ohm load so you would need 2 4 ohm dvc coils to make it work. The reason being if you bridge a 2 ohm load the amp will then see it at a 1 ohm. Thus you have a 1 ohm stable amp but the lowest independence you can have is 2ohm X1 channel
Posted By: equalizir
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 7:12 PM
so basically i could get a jl audio 12" with the dual voice coil at 2 ohms?also how do i bridge it?
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 8:27 PM
No you would need the Jl D4 with the 4 ohm voice coils . You would wire it in parallel like the bottom diagram here https://www.audiobahninc.com/tech/parallel-parallel-dual-4.gif once it’s bridged your amp will see 1 ohm. This article will explain all about bridging https://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/bridging.htm but your amp should have a diagram near the speaker connections.
Posted By: equalizir
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 9:09 PM
it has a diagram where the speaker connections are.it has to two pairs of gold screw connectors.the diagram shows a normal setup but then theres a 3rd channel that shows using the two middle screws to connect the speaker to.im not sure what this means but ill check out the how to on bridging.i appreciate the help.thanks
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 9:25 PM
You want the one that uses the two middle screws that will most likely be the bridged mode.
Posted By: equalizir
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 9:56 PM
sweet,thanks man.i appreciate the help
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 9:58 PM
glad to help if you have any more ?'s you know where to find me
Posted By: dragonrage
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 10:08 PM
bberman: the amp does not "see" a different load. It's simply because the current doubles as well as the voltage. Perhaps you were just trying to give a simple understanding, but that will confuse people more than it'll help. Also, 2 4Ohm DVCs will make 1ohm or 4ohm unless you disregard one of the coils on each. Or maybe you meant just a DVC sub.
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2009 Pontiac G8 in planning stage
HU: ?
Speakers: ?
Amps: ?
Posted By: equalizir
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 10:10 PM
now you got me confused again?
Posted By: dragonrage
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 10:12 PM
Don't listen to what I said. It wasn't meant to be an explanation for someone without an electronics background. If you want a better explanation, let me know what about.
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2009 Pontiac G8 in planning stage
HU: ?
Speakers: ?
Amps: ?
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 10:17 PM
Don’t get confused you want to run 1 D4 and wire it the way I suggested earlier. dragonrage is talking about (2) 4 ohm dvc subs which will give you either 1 or 4 ohms.
Posted By: dragonrage
Date Posted: March 15, 2003 at 10:19 PM
Yes, that's what I thought you meant by using the number 2 and DVR
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2009 Pontiac G8 in planning stage
HU: ?
Speakers: ?
Amps: ?
Posted By: equalizir
Date Posted: March 16, 2003 at 10:59 AM
can anyone tell me what kinda power this amp should put out at 2 or 1 ohm?
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: March 16, 2003 at 12:15 PM
If you wire your sub in parallel which will be 2 ohms and then bridge your amp. Your amp will end up with a 1 ohm load. So your amp will be putting out the power of a 1 ohm load.
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