Thread:

Amps

Originally Posted by JENKS

anybody got an opinion on what i should do? i have a 2002 ultra 21 xs with 2 6x9's, 4 4.5"'s, 2 diamond pro audio 12"s and one pos amp that all came in the boat when i bought it. i upgraded to the alpine ipod/siruis deck and also have 2 blue top optimas with a perko switch. i am going to buy 3 new blue tops before i take it out again because 1 for the stereo wasnt cutting it last season and i believe there 4 years old and the boat didnt want to start the last time out. the amp would heat up and shut off after about 30-45 mins and from what i can see its powering all of the speakers. should i go with one big ass amp like a jl or some other brand with 5 or more channels or should i go with a 4 channel for the mids and highs plus a sub amp? if i go with two amps will i need more than 3 batteries and what about the alternator?

I would go with 2 separate amps and go with Alpine....Im really liking their amps now!

For that set up, 3 blue tops will be fine! Just one blue top will run all speakers at a good volume for awhile! Have one start battery and 2 for stereo.

Originally Posted by JENKS

are you talking bout the pdx line? they are good from what i hear and have been checking them out. will i need my alternator rewound? will i need a capacitor? thanks for your opinion.

Yes the pdx line. I couldn't anwer you with 100% confidence about your alternator but I would think so because your adding another battery that needs charge. I suggest calling a stereo shop. I go to Marks Auto Sound for everything.

http://www.marksautosound.com/

Depending on what amp(s) you get will determine if you need a high-output alternator. Boat alternators already have a tough enough time with heat, since no air flows over them (like a car).

Capacitors are good for one thing- that one thing is yet to be discovered...lol.

You amp is probably overheating because:

1. It has too low of an ohm load hooked up.
2. If the amp is located where there's no air circulation, you'll continue to have problems.
3. All of the above

I usually go with a separate amp for the subs. Then, all you need is to find an amp to run three speakers a side...

Originally Posted by JENKS

I believe your correct havasu hangin. my amp is located between the side of the boat and the interior that holds the speakers and the cup holder. i dont know where else i could locate it that would get air flow. the boat is a closed bow. would a fan do much good? i am sure the amp is overloaded trying to power all those speakers.

Fans won't help that much because its so hot where you store them. Since you have a 21 Ultra.. I would put the amps up under the dash of the passenger seat where they are not visible If you have ample room. They will get more air there and will be out of the sun.

Keep them out of the engine compartment as well!

good idea d&y. i think when the subs hit it will help blow air by the amps if they are mounted in front of them under the closed bow. how do you like your boat? i think i remember on hot boat i got mine shortly before you got yours. i was checking that thing out in spam.

Originally Posted by JENKS

I believe your correct havasu hangin. my amp is located between the side of the boat and the interior that holds the speakers and the cup holder. i dont know where else i could locate it that would get air flow. the boat is a closed bow. would a fan do much good? i am sure the amp is overloaded trying to power all those speakers.

An old installer's trick is that if you mount them in an enclosed area, use a push/pull fan setup to get cool air in and heated air out.

I'm not sure of your exact setup, but some 12V computer fans (and maybe a little PVC pipe to direct air) could help prevent overheating. You could wire them with a relay to the remote amp turn-on switched wire....and your good to go.

On my last system, I had four amps (2,000+ watts) in an enclosed area behind the jumpseat. Two medium-sized fans kept all of them cool.

Originally Posted by JENKS

good idea d&y. i think when the subs hit it will help blow air by the amps if they are mounted in front of them under the closed bow. how do you like your boat? i think i remember on hot boat i got mine shortly before you got yours. i was checking that thing out in spam.

LOL.. seems I will never loose that!

I like it.

Post pics of your stereo set up

Ol HH knows his stuff. If you're set on replacing the amps then look at the Alpine PDX's. One for the subs and another for the mids and high's. They don't take a ton of power and run much much cooler than a conventional amp. They are pricey but worth it. We run three in our boat off three deep cycle batt's and I've never been able to run the batt's down. The PDX's can also be stacked on top of each other to save space. Remember to run good sized cables back to the batt's directly to the amps.

Another thing HH mentioned was matching the speakers and amps for the proper load rating. Good amps are usually stable down to 2 ohms. What type of speaker and how you wire them, series or parrallel, determines what the amp "see's". If you wire them incorrectly, even the best amps will shut down.

Hope that helps,

Chris

Originally Posted by JENKS

Thanks For The Response Sig. Are Your Amps Enclosed? I Am Working On Pics D&y.

On our 21' Ultra the amps were buried behind the side panel with a fan. On the new boat two are open and one buried with no fan. In the 21' we ran on JL 6 channel for the highs and one JL500.1 for the subs, never had any heat issues with a small fan blowing on the 6 channel but we could drain two batteries pretty fast. On the 27 with the PDX's the amps never get hot and we can run them hard for hours with no dead batteries. I really liked the JL stuff but the PDX's are just amaziing.

I'll see if I can find some pics.

Chris