Advice on upgrades.

[Nate121]

So I'm putting around 1000-1200 watt RMS system in. Wondering if I'll need to make many upgrades if any at all. I plan on doing the big 3 but I'm not sure if that's all I'll need.

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[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

Depends on the efficiency of your amp, your vehicles stock alternator output, and your wiring... you're on track by doing the big three. I was running around what you're pulling with stock electrical and my voltage would drop pretty low on the bass lines but it was definitely liveable.

I would AT LEAST replace your battery with an AGM type

 

[massivespl]

So big three and get the biggest agm battery u can fit under the hood and u will be good.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Don't spend a dime until you see what happens. It might be just fine. Make sure gains are right and ground is solid.

 

[Nate121]

Don't spend a dime until you see what happens. It might be just fine. Make sure gains are right and ground is solid.

See that's what I was thinking. I'll probably do the big 3 anyway. As the kits aren't very expensive and buy a voltmeter just to make sure I'm not killing my alt etc

 

[Bass Addict 10+ year member]

need to find out what size alt you have 1st

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

See that's what I was thinking. I'll probably do the big 3 anyway. As the kits aren't very expensive and buy a voltmeter just to make sure I'm not killing my alt etc

Voltmeter is not as good as putting a DMM on it and playing it to see what's happening. You can even back it down till its stable and it might be good enough.

 

[Boominburban 10+ year member]

His alt. is either a 105 or 130 amp. Do big 3, then see what it does .... might be okay. The amp he is getting is pretty efficient .... but it will still pull upwards of 90+ amps full tilt .... but no one I know runs around blasting 40 hz sine waves, so I am betting Big 3 and a AGM will handle the bass peaks and do him for now ...

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

Voltmeter is not as good as putting a DMM on it and playing it to see what's happening. You can even back it down till its stable and it might be good enough.

for the sake of clarity, you're talking about checking the voltage at the amp while he's playing music, or at the battery? I'd imagine the numbers would be close but i guess it'd be smart to know what kind of voltage drop you're getting with the wire resistance included

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

for the sake of clarity, you're talking about checking the voltage at the amp while he's playing music, or at the battery? I'd imagine the numbers would be close but i guess it'd be smart to know what kind of voltage drop you're getting with the wire resistance included

You are correct

 

[Bass Addict 10+ year member]

His alt. is either a 105 or 130 amp. Do big 3, then see what it does .... might be okay. The amp he is getting is pretty efficient .... but it will still pull upwards of 90+ amps full tilt .... but no one I know runs around blasting 40 hz sine waves, so I am betting Big 3 and a AGM will handle the bass peaks and do him for now ...

what amp is he getting ?

 

[Boominburban 10+ year member]

Massive Audio N3

 

[Nate121]

what amp is he getting ?

I'm getting a Massive Audio N3 1400.