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Amp install location.

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DanMyers

Hard-core CEG'er
Joined
Feb 1, 2005
Messages
1,557
Location
Tunkhannock, PA
Hey guys, got a new head unti and an amp recently and I wanted to know where you mounted your amp? the amp I have is a Pioneer GM-D9500F, which is a very compact 800w 4 channel, and what I want is someplace that is out of the way, but still accessible without much work.

If you look up the amp, the dimensions are fairly small, so I can really put it anywhere, and was in fact thinking about putting it under the back seat on the drivers side since no one ever sits there, and the 6-disc that came with the car died and the control box is under there right now, so that's getting pulled out. However, heat is an obvious issue considering there is almost no airflow down there.

Additionally, I have read several reviews that this amp runs very cool, and those people have mounted them in places with little to no airflow, but still it may be a concern (I am brand new to amps).

So where did you mount your amp and what would your recommendation would be as to the easiest/best mounting location would be. Thanks in advance guys.
 
it will if i cut the foam a little (I have an extra gray leather rear seat setup thats doing nothing but wasting space anyway), but I was just thinking aloud, its really not tall at all, front seats should work, but i'm not sure about the floor vents.

Dimensions BTW
Height (inches): 2.2 inches
Width (inches): 8.9 inches
Depth (inches): 7.9 inches
 
My recommendation would be to mount the amp under the driver's seat. Very easy to get to if needed and since the amp is small, there's plenty of breathing room for it to cool off.
 
Ok, only 2 responses, both from audio veterans who suggest under the drivers seat, it definitely won't be effected by the sliding of the seat, and as long as the floor vents aren't an issue (I pretty much never touch the HVAC settings at full heat on floor and defrosters only used in winter) I'm cool with that. Thanks for the input guys, looks like it'll be under the front seat, definitely helps with cable length if nothing else.
 
Actually, another question, I was looking for an amp install kit and came across this one (http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_28415_Raptor-ISPKBL4-4CH.html) which I was mainly looking at because it's reasonably priced, and one of the only 4 gauge kits that was for a 4 channel amp (mostly wanted because of the extra 2 RCA cables included) but is it going to be good enough quality? Is a 4 gauge necessary or is there a better option for an 800w amp? Like I said, I'm a noob when it comes to amps and I'd like to do this only once. Any suggestions would be welcome, and really I'm not opposed to spending more if it means better quality, if you're gonna do it, you might as well do it right.
 
Your amp is not 800W Its 300w with only a single 40amp fuse so 8ga would be fine. You have to go by RMS wattage and don't be fooled by "peak". For amp kits I'd check out Knukonceptz. He's a former CEG'er and he always hooks us up. His stuff is great quality and very reasonable.
http://www.knukonceptz.com/index.cfm
 
Huh, that's interesting, oh well, not trying to power the sun with it, hell I'm not even really into volume, just wanted the clarity. I have come across Knu before but these are the reasons I ask questions haha. Thanks for the info, much appreciated.
 
subbiessm..jpg
technically i dont think your supposed to do this... but it worked well for me...


As for amp kits... If you can find a friend that works at bestbuy that is wiling to hook you up with an employee price... thats the place to do it.. i got a rockfordfosgate 4gauge kit for 50 bucks or so regularly 120....

as for wiring in my case... it worked well... ran the power through the driver door sill... signal wires through the passenger a/c piller... and ground you can see as well.. it's all very clean

8 ga would be ok if the run is short like under the seat... 4 would probably be better for a trunk run

If it fits under the seat though i'd go for that, you can probably discretely run the signal wires though the center consul
 
Both my amps are in the trunk, but under front seat should be OK. You do want to have good airflow around any amp, as they are designed to run cool when provided w/ airflow going over the amp. I would spend a bit more to get higher quality RCAs. In a pinch I've used cheaper brands from Wal-Mart (IIRC Scoshe ?), but they never seem to last very long. Now I am running Rockford brand, and they are holding up well. Also, you may be better going with the largest gauge power wire you can (not suggesting 1/0 or crazy stuff), as it's better to have more current available than to not have enough. Just my .02.
 
I have removed amps from under front seats that were screwed to the floor, so I know they fit under there. I also mounted my amp under the rear deck, but upsidedown and you shouldn't do it that way so at least mount it upside right if you can. X2 on the RCA cable quality, get good cables right away. My crappy purple ones in my pic have been changed out to Rockford Fosgate.

4-26-09015.jpg
 
Great info and much appreciated guys, especially for the install pics. Are those Knu Koncept RCAs acceptable or should I go with the rockfords you're advising instead, the Knu kit only comes with one RCA cable anyway, so it's not a big deal to simply pick up 2 Rockford ones and just keep or give away the Knu one that comes with the kit. Pretty sure I'm gonna go with under the seat, as was mentioned running the RCAs and probably the power cable up through the center console will be easy and keep the wires nicely hidden without much work. I'm thinking I'll put it under the pass seat since the drivers seat is power and there's more under it.

Again, thanks guys very much appreciated from an amp noob.
 
DanMyers said:
Great info and much appreciated guys, especially for the install pics. Are those Knu Koncept RCAs acceptable or should I go with the rockfords you're advising instead, the Knu kit only comes with one RCA cable anyway, so it's not a big deal to simply pick up 2 Rockford ones and just keep or give away the Knu one that comes with the kit. Pretty sure I'm gonna go with under the seat, as was mentioned running the RCAs and probably the power cable up through the center console will be easy and keep the wires nicely hidden without much work. I'm thinking I'll put it under the pass seat since the drivers seat is power and there's more under it.

Again, thanks guys very much appreciated from an amp noob.
Click to expand...

Most places will sell you just a rca cable... just go on their website.... or even ebay.... idk as long as its braided shielded or w.e it should be fine...


Also for you non electrical engineers out there... why you want an amp to run cool... Transistors flow more current when they heat up... but when they flow more current they use more power which causes them to heat up even more... and you can get into what's called a thermal runaway condition... Most amps have circuitry to turn the amp off or some like the rf one i have i believe begins to limit the power taking it down a couple db so it may be noticeable that the amp is doing this but it should be very subtle

But yeah i know my amp also came with something about where/how to mount it and i believe upside down was acceptable as long as it wasn't on the rear deck.. lol whoops... because they dont want the sun heating the huge metal heat sink called the rear deck
 
That's awesome!! There's another man on this forum who mounted his subs on the rear deck.;) I thought I was the only one with subs mounted on the rear deck! Good setup isn't it? What kind of subs are those?

blu_fuz said:
I have removed amps from under front seats that were screwed to the floor, so I know they fit under there. I also mounted my amp under the rear deck, but upsidedown and you shouldn't do it that way so at least mount it upside right if you can. X2 on the RCA cable quality, get good cables right away. My crappy purple ones in my pic have been changed out to Rockford Fosgate.

4-26-09015.jpg
Click to expand...
 
Seems like the perfect place to mount them to me, plenty of area for them (again, don't have a sub, never have, probably never will so also a noob to those, but I've heard they need an open area around them) and there's already those indents in the rear deck that look like speakers were originally mounted there.
 
DanMyers said:
Seems like the perfect place to mount them to me, plenty of area for them (again, don't have a sub, never have, probably never will so also a noob to those, but I've heard they need an open area around them) and there's already those indents in the rear deck that look like speakers were originally mounted there.
Click to expand...

no... very few and i mean very few subs are ment to not be in an inclosure... that type of mounting is called infinite baffle... which is un ideal and lowers the power handling exponentially... the only subs that are ment for that are generally marine subs because they dont expect you to put a box sitting in your boat.....

i think those are speakers that blu has mounted in his deck...
 
I am considering the same amp OP mentioned to replace my alpine mrp f300 4 ch. I like the class d amp circuitry and compact footprint. Let me know how this works out. Heres where my amps are installed:

4 channel under drivers seat:



The dimensions on the amp are 9.5 x 10.75 x 2.75 inches. Its an AB amp which means it runs pretty warm, never had any issues with it being under the seat so far.

Monoblock backseat/trunk:

 
Rear deck subs...


rookies. :rolleyes:



:laugh:


There used to be more subs in the stores that were designed for the infinite baffle setup, and no they were not intended for marine use first and just adapted to the car. I think the industry today has moved away from this approach somewhat though. It is a trend I don't necessarily agree with.
 
I will definitely let you know how it works out, I've only found one review for it (PAS magazine) but they liked it and said it preformed as advertised http://www.pasmag.com/car-audio/test-reports/1180-pioneer-gm-d9500f-amplifier

I'll be putting it under the passenger seat, not this coming weekend (driving 2 hours next weekend to pick up an SVT exhaust Buddy Palumbo is selling me, and then installing it), but probably the following one since Alex (xtascox) will be coming over to help me install it. I'll be sure to post pics of the install process and final install pictures.

EDIT: Just to let you know, I got the amp from here (http://www.crispdeals.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=GMD9500F&Show=ExtInfo), for about $150.
 
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