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Adding a second amp?

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Old Aug 30, 2002
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Adding a second amp?

I think this has got to be a ridiculously obvious question, but I cant find the answer with any search.

I currently have an Eclipse 36401 (60W x 4 RMS) hooked up to a JVC KD-S570. Unfortunately, the headunit only had one pair of preouts, so the audio shop added splitters (at my request) to the amp end of the RCA cables. They worked with me adjusting the fade using the amp so it sounds great now.

My question is, how exactly would I add another amp to this setup? I am contemplating adding a single 10" sub and am curious exactly how to go about wiring it all up. I presume I dont run more wires from the headunit, but instead run from the old amp to the new amp.

Go easy on me with your answers. I am a relative ICE newbie.

Brian
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Old Aug 30, 2002
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You simply go off the other set of RCA's that they split (the ones currently not in use) . As far as the power wire, you can run it the same as the other amp or if the power was 4 AWG, you can split it near the amp with a distrubution wire. Try grounding at the same point for both amps. You can just tap off of the remote or amp turn on at your the input to your Eclipse. If you are concerned at all about your quality changing, it will becuase your deck has a Pre-Out level (generally listed in volts) and it is drastically reduced when running two amps off of one set. Good luck though!
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Old Aug 30, 2002
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All of the RCAs are in use... like this (pardon my poor ASCII picture, dots are for spacing)

....................../<=
HU >======.......AMP
......................\<=

Oh, and what is "4 AWG"?


Brian
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Old Aug 30, 2002
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I see now that it is a 4 channel amp and has 2 sets of inputs that are in use by the Eclipse. You can split them again, but your signals will be weak. You can also use speaker level inputs, a speaker level to RCA converter, or better yet, get a head unit with 2 or 3 sets of RCA's.

4 AWG or 4 Gauge- the thickness of the wire, or rating based on how much current it will carry. Mohawkboom, correct me if I am wrong.
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Old Aug 30, 2002
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4 AWG is 4 guage wire.. time for a new HU.. you can get an RCA Y Adapter, but your gains will have to be pretty high and you may get a fair bit of system noise.. If you use an RCA Y-Adapter, signal voltage is cut in half between the 2 amps
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Old Sep 2, 2002
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Can't you just daisy chain the amps? I split the RCAs at my High 2 Low converter and it sounds fine. I'm planing on keeping my stock HU so I used a converter and run it off the Rear Speakers. I like how it sounds.
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Old Sep 3, 2002
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You can daisy chain signal wise via an RCA "Y" adapter..but you'll split the voltage between the amps..you'll have to turn your gains up a fair bit and may get a fair bit of added system noise..
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