Question about powering an amp

[pirulo51]

Hi, i have a 07 Civic sedan EX, im planning to get a sub and an amp, is one Infinity Reference 1250w, the amp is a Profile AP600 amp with 300watts rms bridged at 4ohms, eventually ill add a 4 ch amp maybe with 60watts rms per ch, i changed the factory radio, and im not planning running an aftermarket battery. My question is if ill have enough power for my 2 amps or if ill need a cap, i read about the big 3 but i live outside US so getting parts and good service is hard for me, or maybe ill run the aftermarket speakers from my pioneer 4900ib deck. Thanks

[lostdaytomorrow]

If you're running over 1500w RMS you're most likely going to need a high output alternator if you plan on listening to it pretty loud otherwise welcome to the world of HUGE Voltage drops and dimming lights.

Scratch the cap, and just do the big three first. All the wiring and ring terminal can be ordered online.

I like knukonceptz.com for my wiring.

[bikinpunk]

Originally Posted by pirulo51

Hi, i have a 07 Civic sedan EX, im planning to get a sub and an amp, is one Infinity Reference 1250w, the amp is a Profile AP600 amp with 300watts rms bridged at 4ohms, eventually ill add a 4 ch amp maybe with 60watts rms per ch, i changed the factory radio, and im not planning running an aftermarket battery. My question is if ill have enough power for my 2 amps or if ill need a cap, i read about the big 3 but i live outside US so getting parts and good service is hard for me, or maybe ill run the aftermarket speakers from my pioneer 4900ib deck. Thanks

Depends on how much current you pull with your 2nd amp. With this first one, you shouldn't have much trouble. It only has a 40amp rating. Your stock alt is 80 I believe. You won't even need to do the big 3 right now, unless you just want to. I'd personally just hold off until you get a 2nd amp or go with a larger one. However, I would suggest getting at least 4 gauge wiring now so you won't have to upgrade that when you add another amp.

Look into Knu as lostday suggested. They have a line called "KLM" which is designed for up to 250A (amps, total fuse rating basically). This line is cheaper than most other brands, and is plenty for what you need. I don't see many people here going over that 250A load unless they're doing a biiig system.

[pirulo51]

I think ill go for the Profile AP400 a 2 ch amp rated 25amps as my second amp and run the rear speakers with my head unit, i read my alt is 90amps, my total rms will be 430 watts so maybe i wont need another alt. With the 2 amps ill run 65 amps from my alt, do you thing leaving 15-25 amps in the alt will cause long or short term electrical problem besides dimming light? Also what you thing about adding a cap for my 2 amps? Most of the time i wont listen my music really loud maybe 100-150 rms. Thanks for your help

[bikinpunk]

Originally Posted by pirulo51

I think ill go for the Profile AP400 a 2 ch amp rated 25amps as my second amp and run the rear speakers with my head unit, i read my alt is 90amps, my total rms will be 430 watts so maybe i wont need another alt. With the 2 amps ill run 65 amps from my alt, do you thing leaving 15-25 amps in the alt will cause long or short term electrical problem besides dimming light? Also what you thing about adding a cap for my 2 amps? Most of the time i wont listen my music really loud maybe 100-150 rms. Thanks for your help

Well, you never know what you'll get until you get it; so don't count on you getting that 2nd profile amp because you may go with something else. Word to the wise.

I run 1400w rms (Class D, and A/B amps) right now, and the only upgrade I have is the Big 3. No light dimming unless I decide to crank it.

As far as extensive damage on your alt, I honestly can't give you an answer to that. My opinion (strictly opinion) is that if you're not dimming lights, then your alternator is not stressed bad enough to cause reprehensible damage. However, if you do have constant dimming you need to readjust your gains and turn it down because you're killing your electrical system.

Let's not forget though that the battery is where the amp gets it's power from, which ultimately does come from the alternator...but still there's a battery there, too. When your lights are dimming your alternator has to recharge your battery. If you are pulling lots of power and not giving your alternator time to charge your battery you're going to have problems.

[pirulo51]

Ill wait until i get my two amps installed and see how it holds, for the big 3 i need 10-12 ft of 1/0 wire, 1/0 terminals, battery terminals and a 200amp fuse between the alt + and the battery + ?? Is there anything else? I hope i dont need to do it but ill do it myself if i have to.

[bikinpunk]

Originally Posted by pirulo51

Ill wait until i get my two amps installed and see how it holds, for the big 3 i need 10-12 ft of 1/0 wire, 1/0 terminals, battery terminals and a 200amp fuse between the alt + and the battery + ?? Is there anything else? I hope i dont need to do it but ill do it myself if i have to.

I'm retyping everything to make sure I get this right:
Battery Terminal: Pos & Neg
Fuse Holder & at least 200 Amp fuse. I went with 220 I think.
Ring Terminals (6)
Wire (10ft).

10 ft got me by, but a couple extra can't hurt. Here's a quick list on Knu. Total with shipping is $85.48.

Item # Product Name QTY
RT1/0516BK Gold Plated 1/0 Ring Terminal - Black (3)
RT1/0516BL Gold Plated 1/0 Ring Terminal -Blue (3)
FH-20 In-Line Waterproof ANL Fuse Holder w/ Fuse (200A)
KLM0BL KLM Kable 1/0 Metallic Blue Cable (12)
BT-104N Negative Battery Terminal (1)
BT-104P Positive Battery Terminal (1)

[pirulo51]

Thanks for your help!

[bikinpunk]

Originally Posted by pirulo51

Thanks for your help!

No problem. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Good luck. Take your time, and don't rush this.

Oh, one HUGE thing. Make sure you LEAVE your negative battery terminal undone the whole time. Don't reconnect that to the terminal post until you're done. Otherwise you'll fry yourself.

[kicker_jace]

uhmm can u use 4guage for big 3?

[bikinpunk]

Originally Posted by kicker_jace

uhmm can u use 4guage for big 3?

you can, but you're shooting yourself in the foot.

go big right off the bat.

[kicker_jace]

Originally Posted by bikinpunk

you can, but you're shooting yourself in the foot.

go big right off the bat.

i actually did one b4.. but i just have 4gauge..

what kind of ring terminals did u use?? isnt it hard to crimp that?

[bikinpunk]

I used the same ring terminals as you used probably.

I just put them in a vice and tightened the crap out of them.

:)