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2 amps-1 for subs, other for components

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Old Jan 28, 2005
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2K1Civic17"Gabe's Avatar
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2 amps-1 for subs, other for components

I have searched and came up empty. I just want to make sure Im on the right path here. Dont want to F anything up. Right now my current amp is a 600w RF, and its powering 2 10s. I also have lyeing around a lightning audio 400W amp. I want to hook that up to my components (6.5's whatever their called). It shouldnt matter that they are different amps, should it, since they are not both going to subs? What I have to do is this, correct:

1)Get one of the power wire distibution block things (where you can spilt the power wire properly)
2)Hook up another fuse for the new wire, dont connect yet(w/in 12 inches of course)
3)Run the new power wire to the new amp
4)spilt the remote wire, and run it to the amps (dont need any sort of distribution things correct, can just tap another wire into it?)
5)for grounding can I just ground this amp in a new place? or do I need a grounding distribution block of some sort?
6)RCAs? Do I just buy a RCA splitter? Will this work ok, or what should I do. I only have 1 r/l preouts with my HU.
7)Connect RCAs
8)Hook up Speakers

Is this the proper way to hook up 2 amps? I dont want to blow any amps or speakers from doing this the wrong way. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!!

I am unsure of the grounds and RCAs. I figure remote can just be tapped. power wire is just a new distribution block for them?


-Peace-
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Old Jan 31, 2005
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Thanks for all the responses. very helpful I know there is at least one person on this site that knows how to hook up 2 amps. Probably more like 100,000 people. If Im in the right direction, let me know. Thanks a lot!

Bump Mo'Fo'
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Old Jan 31, 2005
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Since no one has responded, I will help you out. It doesn't matter that you have two different amps, since both are running different components. I am curious to know what type of components you have though, because that 400W 2ch amplfier that you have may be too powerful. It puts out 200W RMS per channel and only the higher end components can take that much power. But anyways, You can use a distribution block, but make sure that the main power wire can support two amplifiers. I have two alpine amps in the same configuration, I have a 4G power wire split off at a fuse block into two 8G wires which power both amplifiers. I would recommend a fuse at the battery, and of course two more fuses at the fuse block that will provide both amplifiers with the recommended amount of power. As for the power wire, just split it and run it to the other amplifier. As for grounding, you can ground it somewhere else or on the same place the subwoofer amplifier is grounded. Just make sure that the metal surface is sanded down to bare metal and the connection is good and solid. Keep in mind, you should use the same guage wire that runs the power to the amplifier for the ground wire. With RCAs, depending on what type of HU you have, there either are or aren't pre-outs for the front components. on the back of you HU. I am assuming that you had subwoofer pre-outs since you have a subwoofer. If your stock HU does not have front pre-outs, then you need to tap into the speaker wires with some special harness. If it does come with front pre-outs, then you do need another pair of RCAs to connect the HU to the component amplifier. There are posts on how to tap into speaker wires and what you need to get to do it, but my HU came with all the pre-outs. Depending on what type of components you have, you will probably have crossovers which need to be connected after the amplifier. The +/- wire for each channel run to a seperate crossover, and then from there the tweeter and midwoofer +/- wires run to each designated speaker. Each crossover should have 4 wires total running from it to each component set. Hopefully this helps, but with all the uncertainties that you are having, it may be best to get it professionally done. Those who know me and all the problems I have had with my system are probably laughing because I am too stuborn to get it professionaly done, but I assure you that what I have said is how it is supposed to go. I just have bad luck following me around.

Last edited by ZSKCivic01; Jan 31, 2005 at 12:52 PM.
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Old Jan 31, 2005
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Originally Posted by ZSKCivic01
As for grounding, you can ground it somewhere else or on the same place the subwoofer amplifier is grounded.
Just make sure that the metal surface is sanded down to bare metal and the connection is good and solid.
Get another distribution block for your grounds or you will encounter a ground loop.

Originally Posted by ZSKCivic01
Each crossover should have 4 wires total running from it to each component set.
Also you may want to use a relay for your remote line.. not required but recommended
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Old Jan 31, 2005
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Thanks a lot. There is no way I would ever pay somebody to install my ish. Unless its West Coast Customs, hehe. They do some tight audio/video. I know I can do it right, I just wanted to clarify on it. I heard about the ground loop, thats why I was questioning if I could just ground another, or buy a ground distribution thing. And I will not be turning the gain up on the amp that much. I have run it to my speakers in the past, and they sounded awesome. I change the crossover on the amp, and leave the gain where the speakers are not distorted. This wont be too difficult at all Im thinking. It shouldnt take me more than 30-an hour. Mostly cuz Ive ripped every panel off my car about 70 times, so I can take everything out and put it back super quick. Thanks for the info guys and/or girls!
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Old Jan 31, 2005
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Always ground at the same location unless you want noise in the system, no need for a Ground distribution block but it does make things easier and neater!

As for West Coast customes it may look nice but trust me their work is not that great!
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Old Jan 31, 2005
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Yeah on pimp my ride, they do some pretty sweet setups but that "Mad Mike" guy who does the ICE really pisses me off and overacts WAY TOO MUCH on that show..
Also yeah you don't NEED a ground distrubtion block but it just makes things a lot neater, organized, and professional
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Old Jan 31, 2005
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ground loops are a BITCH - especially when discovered AFTER you've installed all your stuff. If you're looking for a good bare grounding spot - check the passenger side seat belt bolt - screwed underneath the seat. Keep your ground wire as short as possible as well.
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Old Jan 31, 2005
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Also, use a star washer.. when you tighten it, it will in theory, attach dig itself into the car for a good solid connection.
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Old Feb 2, 2005
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Thanks a lot. I think that west coast customs does good work on custom setups. But they use the crappiest stuff, and he does overact. He acts crazy about audiobahn saying they are the best and whatnot. They use jenky crap, but they do some nice setups.
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Old Feb 2, 2005
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Originally Posted by 2K1Civic17"Gabe
He acts crazy about audiobahn saying they are the best and whatnot.


are you telling me audiobahn sucks???
J/K...I know they suck, even though I have a audiobahn amp... Their subs are horrible btw.
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Old Feb 4, 2005
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Hey tripledoublegs, it looks like u have the same subs I have. 12" Polk Momos. I also use Audiobahn amps as well. I have the 800 watt mono amp for the subs, and the 75x4 channel amp for the fronts and rears. I don't care what anyone says about the amps. I agree about the Audiobahn subs tho... I haven't heard any that impress me. But I like their amps tho. Nice price, especially thru eBay... lol. And they seem to put out plenty of clean power. I'd have Alpine amps if I could afford it, but for now I'm happy with what I have. I was just wondering how happy another Momo/Audiobahn user is.
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