Amplifier draw on the electrical system, 1 ohm vs 4 ohm, amplifier class questions

[gettheledout 10+ year member]

Hey guys, I don't know enough about this stuff and I've been searching but haven't found an answer yet. I am looking to power a sub rated at 500w RMS (sundown SD 10").

I would like to have an amplifier that does not create a large draw on my electric system, the last amp I had, a 1st gen Orion HCCA 250, pulled so much power that I could never run the sub at its potential because of headlight dimming. I will be putting this sub into a small roadster that doesn't have a very big alternator.

I know class D amps are standard for driving a sub and have decent efficiency. Should I be looking at something like a class GH amp?

In an equal scenario (500w RMS), does running at 1 ohm or 4 ohm draw more current (I know 4 ohm is supposed to be cleaner)? For example, running a Diamond Audio TX600.1 at 1 ohm with the gain turned down a bit be a good choice, since it's a class GH? Would just a regular class D amp that puts out around 600w RMS at 4-ohm be a good choice?

Sorry if my question is not well defined, I'm trying to figure all this stuff out.

Thanks!

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[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

fins an amp thats 90% efficient at 4 ohms , do the big 3 and add a small kinetik hc 600 battery .your good then

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

Just fyi, headlight dimming isn't necessarily horrible. You can get dimming at .2V drop possibly. You just have to know where your voltage sits.

Personally I would go for the 600W @ 1ohm, but you have to look at efficiency of both. Compare the specs of both amps, do some math, go from there.

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

fins an amp thats 90% efficient at 4 ohms , do the big 3 and add a small kinetik hc 600 battery .your good then

This.

I'm doing too many things at once.

 

[dbjunior 10+ year member]

Mmats=efficient