I have a second amplifier that I am tooling up to install and would like to know if I need to make any modifications specific to a dual amplifier system. Here is my current setup:
Car: 1996 Honda Accord EX 4 door
Pioneer (DEH-P550MP) MP3/WMA CD Player
US Acoustics 5050 Amplifier (4x50wrms)
JBL GTO635 6.5 in the front door panel & MB Quart DKC169 6x9 in the rear deck. No sub at this time.
The additional amplifier that I am wanting to install is a Coustic 161SE (2x40wrms). My plan is to reinstall the US Acoustics amp (to power the MB Quarts and future sub) from under the passenger seat to the trunk and install the Coustic amp (to power the JBL's) under the passenger seat. I am looking for a general list of required items that I will need to do this and how I need to run these two amps. For instance, can I splice into the power cable from one amp to another?
Thank you for your assistance.
Razorbacx
First off, if it was me, I'd leave the USA amp alone to power your four mains and use a new amp for the new sub as it is a much better quality amp. The Coustic is an OK choice for subs, but really lacks the SQ to power mains. Bridge it and it produces around 100 watts (160 peak is what's listed) which would match the 50 wpc from the USA amp nicely.
I suggest you need to run a new power cable for the new amp, either all the way to the battery or to a distribution block, and it's own ground near the mounting location. Make sure you use the proper gage wire for the new amp. You can daisy-chain the remote on wire. Make sure you activate the low pass filter on the amp or use an external crossover.
Along with the previous advice, It is a good practice to run your rca cables on the opposite side of your car from your power cables to eliminate engine hum. I would also recommend a capacitor to keep the base clean and your lights from flickering.
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Do it right the first time
Thank you for your advice, however, I was wondering if I could get you to comment on the following. To simplify the system I have considered just running everything off my USA Amp. I thought that I could run my front and rear speakers in parallel to Channels 1&2 and bridge Channles 3&4 to run a sub. This, I believe will drop me to a 2 Ohm load on my amp, but if it is true of what I've been told about USA amps then it should hold rock steady at 2 Ohm's. I also know that I will loose my fade control for my mains, but this really doesn't matter to me as I always keep my fade control set at 0. I thought that by moving my amp to my trunk and installing a couple of fans to keep the air circulating around the amp that this should be ok. Any thoughts?
BTW, I just noticed that I made a typo above regarding my USA Amp, it is not a 5050, but rather a 4050.
Thanks again.
Razorbacx