How Two Hook Up Two Amps....

[xmajinsoljahx]

I have two amps...they only have 1 pair of rca outputs...how do I hook it up using Y-Cables....also how do I hook up the remote turn on wire for both amps?

[ridr4lif]

If you already have an rca splitter (i think thats what u mean by a y cable) then run the rca's from the back of the deck to them, and then get 2 other sets of rca's and hook them up to the opposite side of the splitter and then to the amps.

As for the remote turn on, just run one wire to the first amp, then take another wire and hook it from amp 1 to amp 2.

TEDD

[xmajinsoljahx]

ok one question...my deck on has 1 rca output...does that matter or were u refering to that kind of deck...mine does have two pairs one 1 pair...ok about the remote turn on....I hook the remote lead wire to from the deck to the 1st amp(Hook it to the remote hook up)...Then where do I put the 2nd wire to goto the 2nd amp? can I put it in the same slot in amp 1 and lead it to amp 2?.......also I have a 1990 Dodge Ram that im putting this in...with hooking up two amps...do you think i need a new alternator? I don't know the specs on the alternator, but my truck used to be a forest ranger truck and im sure they upgraded the alternator becuz they had cb's and radars n junk in it...the only thing i replaced on the truck was the paint and engine. so do u recomend i change the alternator?

[ridr4lif]

As long as you have an rca splitter then it doesnt matter that you only have 1 rca output.

And yes...when hooking up the second amp, put the wire in the remote slot on the first amp and then hook it up to the second amp. You are wiring the remote wire in series between the 2 amps.

TEDD

[ridr4lif]

It is necessary to upgrade your alternator if you are running more than about 800 watts total.

TEDD

[smoker]

WHOAA....im confused now.......on the back of your head unit you should have at least on pair of rca connections a red and a white...this equates to one pair. if you need to split that you can use a y cord to branch each side (red and white) into two. make sure that your y cord is one male into two female. then you can simply take two seperate rca cords and connect them....a red from each cord into the y cord where you split the red connector behind the head unit and a white from each cord to where you split the white connector behind the head unit. then simply connect the red and white from each cord to its apropriate amplifier. keep in mind you will experience signal loss this way. and yes you can daisy chain the remote lead.

[xmajinsoljahx]

im using two 500 watt amps....couldnt i just install a cap instead of replacing my alt?

[smoker]

that is debateable. how many amps does your factory alt. putu out? we are running 1200 watts in a chevy silverado with no upgrades and no troubles either.

[xmajinsoljahx]

i have no idea how many watts it puts out but the alt is bigger then a factory alt. if that helps

[smoker]

go ahead and install your system. worry about your alternator another day. you may never have a problem.

[ridr4lif]

Ok...let me rephrase. It is reccomended to replace the alt. if running more than 800/1000 watts. In some cases (trucks) they have bigger alternators and you can get away with not having to change it. But in MOST cases, the alt needs to be replaced. Capacitors are just a bandaid. I would not reccomend one.

TEDD

[smoker]

i personally love caps....just my opinion. they can make a big difference and they are just intended for extra juice during peak power draw and just for a short period. granted they are always part of the power supply line but in some cases well worth installing.

[ridr4lif]

In some cases they are good, like in competition when all you need is a short burst of power. But in most cases, just upgrading the alt is the better route to take.

Just my $.02

TEDD

[xmajinsoljahx]

ok i installed it and it seems to work fine...i'll upgrade my alt anywayz so i'll feel more comfortable with my old truck. but anyway thanks for the help....

[William from NOLA]

I would upgrade the battery first before the alternator or a capacitor. There is actually a huge difference between a normal car battery and something such as an Optima Red Top or Yellow Top.

[xmajinsoljahx]

i have a new battery...its a optima yellow top, but i had it for a while...

[Minorthreat412]

It is necessary to upgrade your alternator if you are running more than about 800 watts total.

TEDD

RMS or max power?

[ridr4lif]

RMS power. Max power will only be seen for only a short amount of time w/ most amps. RMS is what the amp puts out all the time.

TEDD