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2 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=69569
Printed Date: May 03, 2024 at 7:52 AM


Topic: 2 amps

Posted By: nixon75
Subject: 2 amps
Date Posted: December 30, 2005 at 8:37 AM

i have a VPw460 subwoofer 2 ohms DVC 1800Watts rms. can i use 1 amplifier  to power each voice coil? meaning i'll be using 2 amplifiers. does this mean that each voice coil is 900Watts rms?



Replies:

Posted By: nixon75
Date Posted: December 30, 2005 at 8:39 AM
and will i be needing capacitors for this setup?




Posted By: darreng
Date Posted: December 30, 2005 at 9:52 AM
just get an 1800 amp and a cap would be a good idea




Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: December 30, 2005 at 1:35 PM

You can use two amplifiers, but that can generate cancellation and loss of output if they are not exactly matched.  You'd be much better off using a single mono amp.  You probably do not need a capacitor, but with an 1800 watt system you definitely need a high-output alternator.



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Posted By: hobobasher
Date Posted: January 02, 2006 at 6:50 PM
Just use a cap. Generally Ive found for every 1000 watts you need a 1 farad cap. You could just go with a h/o alt but personally id do both id add a cap and id repalce the alt but thats just me. At the least use a cap




Posted By: arrow12
Date Posted: January 02, 2006 at 6:54 PM
Caps are mostly a drain on a system if the power isn't already there.  I'd get a high output alternator in your situation.  Do a search in this forum for "caps" to see what everyone has to say about them.  Caps are mainly just a band aid for the problem.

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That's my opinion. Take it, leave it, or correct me.




Posted By: hobobasher
Date Posted: January 02, 2006 at 6:57 PM
Yes caps are basicly a band aid but if you look 90 percent of competion vehicles use them so may i ask why its not a good idea to use them in your daily driver? I used a 1 farad cap in my truck and it accually made the subs sound better since the ams were getting more power. Now i have a 25 farad cap and have 2 2000 watt amps hooke up to 4 mtx subs and it works great i have a high output alt. But if i just had the alt theres no way it could power both those amps and the 800 watt amp pushing the front door speakers and the rear door speakers.




Posted By: arrow12
Date Posted: January 02, 2006 at 7:05 PM

Actually the alternator is powering all of that.  How do you think the caps get filled?  I understand what you mean though in your case.  You also have a high output alternator.  It has enough amps to fill the caps over and over again.  In nixon75's case, I don't think he has a high output alternator.  1800 watts on a stock alternator will be hell for the alternator.  Add a cap to keep filling and you have a worse situation.  He doesn't have enough power in the first place.  It's alright to use the cap if you have the power, but he doesn't have the power.



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That's my opinion. Take it, leave it, or correct me.




Posted By: hobobasher
Date Posted: January 02, 2006 at 7:07 PM
Yeah isee your point but i did tell him he sdhould do a combonation thats what i did in my truck it worked wonders and a h.o alt isnt that expensive its worth it




Posted By: arrow12
Date Posted: January 02, 2006 at 7:11 PM

I agree with you.  I just wanted him to understand that he needed the power to start with.



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That's my opinion. Take it, leave it, or correct me.




Posted By: hobobasher
Date Posted: January 02, 2006 at 7:21 PM
Yeah I agree with you I see what you mean. Iapologize if Iseemed to come off with an attitude that wasnt my intention at all. You brought up a good point that needed to be brought up. If you dont have the power to begine with then your going to work the alt harder than it already is being overworked which is more of a headache than it is worth




Posted By: nixon75
Date Posted: January 03, 2006 at 12:10 AM
exactly how high an output do i need for my alternator? my ride is a Toyota Hilux 2005 model. Can i see my current alternator's output in my manual?




Posted By: arrow12
Date Posted: January 03, 2006 at 2:50 PM
Get the biggest alternator you can afford.  It allows for future upgrades and puts less of a strain on it.

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That's my opinion. Take it, leave it, or correct me.




Posted By: hobobasher
Date Posted: January 03, 2006 at 3:36 PM
When you buy an alt make sure you get one from a company with a good reputation like Stinger or Ohio Generator or something along those lines. There are other companies that have a good reputaion that sell them ask around. I only bring this up because if you buy a cheap no name alt you could end up frying sensors on your vehicle.

So research before you buy please. Sensors are very costly I work on cars daily and Isee these outragous prices and Id hate to see you have to go through that if you don't have to.

Just do yourself and your bank account a favor and research really well don't be too quick to buy or try and get a cheap one it could cost more than its worth so please be carful.




Posted By: nixon75
Date Posted: January 04, 2006 at 4:14 AM
how do i know if my alt isnt big enough?




Posted By: geepherder
Date Posted: January 04, 2006 at 9:34 PM

Add up the fuse ratings for your new equipment, and see how many amps your factory amp is rated at (look it up online at autozone).  Then depending on the size of the car, figure around 25-40 amps for all the car's accessories.  If it appears you're borderline or overdrawing the factory alternator, then upgrade.



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