Amp placement

[Vincesrg03]

Hello everyone. I need some help with a question. Is it better to mount an amp closer to the woofers or further away? Or does it even matter? Thinking of getting a couple of 8s or 10s for the Yukon, but wondered where i should put the amp. Small box that doesnt take up too much room, cuz my 80 lb American bulldog has to fit back there, plus all the kids stuff. Some thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

[ILLEGAL REGAL]

got my amp mounted under the 2nd row seat drivers side

 

[chip]

It doesn't matter where you put the amp. I have 1 12" sub in a bandpass box and I love it. Just enough Bass, and it doesn't take up any room at all.

 

[Vincesrg03]

Thanks. Yea I figured as long as you got good wires you should be alright.

 

[blueflamed03]

yup, doesnt matter.

 

[chip]

One thing I will mention though. When you place the amp on the box, you're drastically increasing the amount of vibration the amp must deal with. I'm guilty of this myself right now. I need to relocate it, but..........

 

[Vincesrg03]

One more thing, can I put it back by where the jack is, or does it need more airflow than that to keep cool?

 

[chip]

You can put it wherever you want. It should protect itself in a worst case scenario, but ideally, you want it on a flat, cool, dry surface with plenty of room to breathe.

 

[blueflamed03]

One more thing, can I put it back by where the jack is, or does it need more airflow than that to keep cool?

I wouldnt. They need airflow across the heatsink.

 

[quietfly]

One more thing, can I put it back by where the jack is, or does it need more airflow than that to keep cool?

If you want to place it here, you can, however i would invest in a 12 volt fan wired to the acc power on line to keep the amp cool. one 12 in a bandpass should not heat it up that much, but the fan will ensure you protect your equipment.

 

[Vincesrg03]

Thanks for the info. I will probably tackle the job this weekend if the weather gets better here in chicago. I also read online that you should put in a relay to turn on the amp. That is use the remote wire off the headunit, and a relay to power it on. That way you get no return voltage to the headunit and ruin it. Has anybody done this, or is it okay just to run it off the remote wire. I haven't wired an amp in a long time and wanna make sure i do it right. Once again thanks for all the info. This forum is very helpful!!!!

 

[chip]

I haven't heard of that. I just installed an amp and 2 12s tonight.


I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the remote assembly in the amp IS A RELAY. That's the entire point of the remote switch in the first place.

 

[topper07]

I don't think a relay is necessary, however I would advise installing a toggle switch in line with the remote wire. This allows you to shut the amp off when you have sensitive ears in the car. Its pretty easy to mount the toggle beneath the dash where it is out of sight.

Not sure what head unit you are working with, I am using the factory one and the bass is turned all the way down and I have plenty of boom. Granted I have 2 12'' L7 solo barics, and 1,000 watts running to 'em.

For mounting the amp, I chose on the back side of the 2nd row seats but low enough to be hidden behind the sub box when the seats are upright. Be careful though, if you mount it too low you while interfere with the way the headrest moves when you fold the seats down. I had thought about mounting beneath the second row but thought it might rub the leather when I fold the seats down.


Enjoy and happy booming!

 

[blueflamed03]

just a basic remote switch is normal, and a remote gain would be nice if the amp you choose has one, beats a toggle, just adjust sub gain down with the flick of the knob. The you can adjust for any song that may be burnt bass heavy already.

 

[Vincesrg03]

Yea, i got it wrong. The website said to use a relay if you are using the remote start for multiple things. Like neons, monitors, multiple amps, and such. The website was www.bcae1.com. Its got some useful info on there if anyone needs it. Thanks again for everyones input. Its real helpful and i like looking at everyones rides. All the cool mods everyone does to their vehicles.

 

[sallyliao]

got my amp mounted under the 2nd row seat drivers side

 

[Sir-Lancelot]

One thing I will mention though. When you place the amp on the box, you're drastically increasing the amount of vibration the amp must deal with. I'm guilty of this myself right now. I need to relocate it, but..........

I really dont worry about it. My box is 1.5" thick and I have no where else to put amps, LOL.

 

[byrddawg]

I had thought about mounting beneath the second row but thought it might rub the leather when I fold the seats down.

I know I am waking up an old thread but...
I want to put my amps under the second row but have the same reservations as topper07. However, the thought occurred to me - put about an inch spacer on the bolt between the seats and the floorboard to raise the second row seat up. My only fears are that...
1) the frame of the seats follow the contour of the floorboard. So by doing this would the seats not be structurally safe in an accident.

2) how would this interfere with the ability to fold the seats up.

 

[bottomline2000]

I had my installer build a false floor in mine. No reason to raise the seats. Only the heatsinks are exposed with the seats down and no loose wires. Been running this setup for 4+ years. Amps run cool as long as they get enough power.

i can adjust sub gains or turn it off completely from the HU. No need for relays or extra switches.

 

[ILLEGAL REGAL]

I have zero issues when the seats folded down.