three amp system
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=95947
Printed Date: July 19, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Topic: three amp system
Posted By: slatham
Subject: three amp system
Date Posted: July 27, 2007 at 2:21 AM
Ok, I'm getting ready to install a three amp system. (kicker ZX1500.1, kicker ZX750.1, Kicker 350.4) The 1500 and 750 are monos and the 350 is 4 channel. I am going to upgrade my alternator and i was wondering what size power and ground cable you would recommend. Also, I am really unsure about how to wire everything to my battery as far as like Fuse distribution blocks and Power and ground cable distribution blocks and fuse holders. If someone could explain what i should do or direct me to a diagram that could show me how to do something like this it would be very helpful.
Replies:
Posted By: mjwood0
Date Posted: July 27, 2007 at 5:08 AM
Current = Watts / Volts
Since amps are all around 12 volts and you're running a total of 2600 Watts, you're looking at the following:
Current = 2600 W / 12 V = About 220 A
2 gauge wire goes up to 225 A
1/0 gauge wire goes up to 350 A
These can be found here on 12volt.
Personally, I'd run the 1/0 as well as upgrading the big 3 and your alternator. Also, when you run off the battery you'll want to make sure to fuse it properly.
The same calculations can be done for each individual amp to determine what gauge wire to run from the distribution block to the amps (again, fusing if applicable).
Might want to run your wiring by the people here once you think you have it figured out just to be sure. You're talking a decent amount of current so this can get dangerous if not done correctly.
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: July 27, 2007 at 10:36 AM
My question is this: "Why two mono amplifiers?"
It's rhetorical, (meaning you don't have to answer if you don't want) but you DO have me scratchin'.
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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."
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: July 27, 2007 at 10:40 AM
mjwood0 wrote:
Current = Watts / Volts
Since amps are all around 12 volts and you're running a total of 2600 Watts, you're looking at the following:
Current = 2600 W / 12 V = About 220 A .
This assumes the amplifier is 100% efficient, which none are. The typical class A/B amplifier is about 60% efficient and the typical class D is about 75%. This means you must factor in the efficiency when doing this sort of estimate. Your 220 amps should be divided by the efficiency of the amp: 220 / 0.75 for a class D = potential max current draw of 293.3 amps. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: mjwood0
Date Posted: July 27, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Fair enough. Hence my recommendation of going with the 1/0.
This also assumes that the vehicle is even capable of sustaining such current draws.
I'm tempted to say (as nicely as possible) that if you're scratching your head with what gauge wire to use, you may want to consult a professional installer. This amount of current, if not properly wired, has the potential to do some serious damage...
Posted By: aznboi3644
Date Posted: July 27, 2007 at 2:16 PM
I too am wonder who two mono amps of differing powers??
Posted By: slatham
Date Posted: July 27, 2007 at 6:48 PM
Thanks Mjwood and DYohn for the help. I am using two different mono amps because i am running the 1500 to two kicker l7 12s and the 750 to two kicker cvr 12s. Is that a bad idea or something?
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: July 27, 2007 at 9:52 PM
AFAIAC, it's a waste of current, and therefore, power. Either use one or the other... You'll gain VERY little, either in SPL or sound quality, doing what you've got drawn up.
Which are you aiming for? SPL or SQ?
-------------
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."
Posted By: slatham
Date Posted: July 30, 2007 at 12:36 AM
Ok well here's what I'm lookin for. I want something with good sound quality buy i would like the decibels to be in the 140s. What would you reccommend.?
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: July 30, 2007 at 7:42 AM
ANY decent setup, with a pair of very good 12's (say JL W7's, or TC 3000's, but you'd have to wait for TC's, for now) with around 750 to 1000 watts each (more would be better, and both the JL's and TC's will take, and do LIKE more, as well...) would get you fairly easily there. To get that loud WITH sound quality WILL be expensive, don't even think about second-guessing that. You haven't even mentioned the woofers you are using, or are considering using.
::::EDIT:::: Never mind - saw it, now. Kickers AREN'T sound quality woofers, at all. Especially not the L7. Loud? Indeed. Quality? Hardly. Far from it, AFAIAC. I can't speak to the CVR's, honestly, as I have never heard them.
slatham wrote:
I am using two different mono amps because i am running the 1500 to two kicker l7 12s and the 750 to two kicker cvr 12s. Is that a bad idea or something?
Also, running two different types of woofers, with two different power levels, can ONLY cause problems, especially if looking for anything even REMOTELY considered to be a "sound quality" system.
If you say that you are interested in sound QUALITY, yet you have said nothing about making sure that your highs will be able to do the same thing. What are you doing to address the output of the REST of your system? ------------- 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."
Posted By: slatham
Date Posted: July 30, 2007 at 8:51 PM
Well I am kind of stuck with the kickers....I just have the 2 L7 12s and the 1500 amp. So i will use those for my subs....What would u reccomend for my components (what speakers and what amps to power them) since i am going to use the L7s...the L7s are 750rms watts each.
Posted By: jvillefinest
Date Posted: August 01, 2007 at 9:57 AM
def just use the L7s. it will save you a cancellation problem and probably save you a few headaches. and someone correct me if im wrong but didnt kicker win world finals recently or something? ------------- 2007 Acura TSX
SQ setup in the works
Posted By: jvillefinest
Date Posted: August 01, 2007 at 9:58 AM
jvillefinest wrote:
and someone correct me if im wrong but didnt kicker win world finals recently or something?
in sound quality i meant to say ------------- 2007 Acura TSX
SQ setup in the works
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: August 01, 2007 at 1:42 PM
jvillefinest wrote:
def just use the L7s. it will save you a cancellation problem and probably save you a few headaches.
And that is a fallacy. There is no cancellation reason not to use different sized woofers, I have actually used different size woofers in many installs, but in this case, there is little to nothing (with the exception of sheer output) to be gained. At those wavelengths, it won't matter WHAT size woofers he is planning on using or if he mixes 'em up! ------------- 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."
Posted By: slatham
Date Posted: August 01, 2007 at 6:49 PM
Ok...well i will def go with just the 2 l7s....and the 1500 amp.....What would you all reccomend for the components....(what speakers and what amp)?
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