need some help from experianced
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Joined: May 2004
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need some help from experianced
I have a clarion 400W amp running 2 10" dual voice coil subs which are wired in parrallel (2 ohms) (also clarion 400W). The power is nice, but it draws huge from my battery. I was thinking of adding 2 6x9's and using the 400w amp to power them and my front 3" clarion speakers. So i am now in the market for an 800w 2 channel amp for the subs which, i should now be able to wire in series?? i think? can anyone give me input on this?? Anyways my main question is on e-bay why is there 800W amps from anywhere from $50-350?? there all 800W right. Can anyone suggest what i should be looking for, Thank You. Also will adding 2 nice 6x9's make a much better sound then 2 10's with 2 unamplified 3" and tweets and 2 unamplified 4x6's??? cause ive never owned 6x9's
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Chesapeake, VA
First to answer your question about the 6x9s, yes 2 nice amplified 6x9s will make a big difference in sound over what you have now.
If you're having a problem with the 400W amp being too much of a drain on the battery, adding an 800W to it is only going to make the problem worse. I'm not sure I understand what you were saying in regards to the battery in your post.
As for wiring the new amp in series, what do you mean by that? When you say series, are you referring to the subs or the input power?
If you're having a problem with the 400W amp being too much of a drain on the battery, adding an 800W to it is only going to make the problem worse. I'm not sure I understand what you were saying in regards to the battery in your post.
As for wiring the new amp in series, what do you mean by that? When you say series, are you referring to the subs or the input power?
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clarification
I mean that the 400w amp is a 4 channel bridged to a 2 channel @ 200w a piece. each sub has one voice coil wired in parrallel to the other voice coil (2 ohm) then +,&- running to one bridged channel, and same with the other sub. The gain is almost maxed along with the bass boost, Why?? cause the subs don't distort at my 3/4 cranked speaker volume. But when heavy bass is on the headlights dim and the volt meter dances. i thought that if i wired the voice coils in series then had a 400w power supply each i would get the same bass without all the draw?? or even an 800 one channel then wire the subs together in series along with the voice coils. The subs are rated 400w max each thats why i assumed an 800 amp would work best then i could use my 400 for speakers as it has plenty of adjusment. HOpe this helps you guys
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Chesapeake, VA
If I read your last reply correctly, if you wire those voice coils in series, you would actually end up with a larger load on the amp, which results in less power out of the amp.
2 4ohm speakers wired in parallel = 2ohm load on the amp
2 4ohm speakers wired in series = 8ohm load on the amp.
With that said, if you wire the coils in series, you will put less drain on your battery, because the amp will not be supplying as much power to the speakers. This is good because your amp will run cooler, and more efficiently. I would give it a try and see if it takes care of your lights dimming, and make sure the sound is still what you want.
Or, you can put in a more powerful alternator, and a better battery. Stay away from those capacitors you see everywhere. Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes.
2 4ohm speakers wired in parallel = 2ohm load on the amp
2 4ohm speakers wired in series = 8ohm load on the amp.
With that said, if you wire the coils in series, you will put less drain on your battery, because the amp will not be supplying as much power to the speakers. This is good because your amp will run cooler, and more efficiently. I would give it a try and see if it takes care of your lights dimming, and make sure the sound is still what you want.
Or, you can put in a more powerful alternator, and a better battery. Stay away from those capacitors you see everywhere. Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
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A 400 watt amp is no problem. I have a 700 watt amp run with 4ga power and ground wires. I get no light dimming at all, unless its full blast with the car off or at idle, and then its very minimal. Something is not wired right.
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From: Chesapeake, VA
Originally Posted by bill6302
i have to disagree with 75 player. i would put in a 1 or 1.2 farad cap. that should help you out. also, try upgrading your battery and ground cables to a larger size.
I would upgrade your battery and possible the alternator, and defintetly make sure you are using 4 guage power cable from the battery to the amp (don't forget to fuse it).
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Senior User
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From: Chesapeake, VA
Originally Posted by berry1234
A 400 watt amp is no problem. I have a 700 watt amp run with 4ga power and ground wires. I get no light dimming at all, unless its full blast with the car off or at idle, and then its very minimal. Something is not wired right.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Utah County, UT
If the wiring was too small, it would limit the amount of current to the amp. Wiring is probably okay, however, if you add another amp, you will want at least a gauge power back to a splitter. Second, the flickering of the lights comes from the battery and or Alternator. Would recomend getting good battery, don't know if it has ever been replaced or not, but is a good start. If the battery doesn't solve the problem, then go to the alternator.
Mike
Mike