Can i wire down to .5 ohms nominally?

[bigbud747 10+ year member]

Well i have a situation. I'm upgrading to 2 SA 10's for my setup from 1 12. I am needing D4's, but sundown is sold out of B-stock d4's (little imperfections don't bother me, so why not save $100 by going B-stock). I'm thinking about getting D2's, but that means i would have to wire to .5 ohm to the amp. However, the last few boxes i've made have given a 2x impedence rise, so therefore i will probably see about a 1 ohm load to the subs. My amp is a Powerbass ASA1500.1D. I have never wired it down to .5 ohms before, but it's a very stout amp and i don't think it would be a problem considering the rise would bring it above .5 ohm. But i would like some opinions.

Before anyone asks, i do have the required electrical to back up a .5 ohm load, so that's not a problem. I mainly listen at lower volumes, and only turn it up loud periodically or for competitions.

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[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

keep it feed and u should have no problems but all it takes its that one dip in voltage to send up smoke signals..

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

I never had luck with running .5... Everybody said its fine but its not, its so hard on everything its not worth it. The waste of time and money is what makes me very sceptical about what people say. What may work for one will not work for another. I like to beat my system and not have to worry about burning stuff up or watching my voltmeter the whole time.

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

I never had luck with running .5... Everybody said its fine but its not, its so hard on everything its not worth it. The waste of time and money is what makes me very sceptical about what people say. What may work for one will not work for another. I like to beat my system and not have to worry about burning stuff up or watching my voltmeter the whole time.

your amp was a current hog though. OP if you have the electrical to back it up, and you feel with rise it should be over 1 then go ahead and do it. just watch your voltage closely at first to make sure there arent any heavy dips

 

[bigbud747 10+ year member]

Ok. I've had this amp for 5 years now. Back when i didn't know much, this amp was seeing 10 volts, and never once got hot or anything, so IMO it's a very stable amp. But now that i have the electrical backing, i think it will be ok. And like i said, i don't turn it up that much besides demos at shows or for actual competition, so the amp won't get that much abuse. I've also been thinking about doing the whole "bolts through the box to change impedence" thing so i can switch back and forth from 2 ohms to .5 ohms. I have had this amp clamped doing a 870 watts at a little over 2 ohms, so i think the SA's will like about a 1 ohms final load (after box rise).

 

[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

Only one way to find out for sure and thats is to just do it. Best of luck to you though just keep it feed and it will stay happy

 

[bigbud747 10+ year member]

Ok. I have a Stinger SPA1700 laying around so i might replace one of th Sealed batteries i have under the hood with the Stinger to get a little more power to the amp. And i'm using 8 gauge as speaker wire, so no problem with power loss from the amp to the subs.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

your amp was a current hog though. OP if you have the electrical to back it up, and you feel with rise it should be over 1 then go ahead and do it. just watch your voltage closely at first to make sure there arent any heavy dips

That experiance gave me a really bad taste in my mouth. **** cost me about $550 for a $330 amp. $50 more from the beginning and I could of had the amp I have now and been set.

 

[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

That experiance gave me a really bad taste in my mouth. **** cost me about $550 for a $330 amp. $50 more from the beginning and I could of had the amp I have now and been set.

We all live and learn. Ur lesson was $500+ my current lesson cost me so far $200 but will rise in a matter of days when I get repair bill.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

We all live and learn. Ur lesson was $500+ my current lesson cost me so far $200 but will rise in a matter of days when I get repair bill.

???

 

[bigbud747 10+ year member]

So, since i won't be playing it at full power very much, do you guys think i can get away with wiring to .5 ohms considering my box rise will at least by up to .9 ohms?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Nobody know for sure. Like said earlier, there is only one way to find out.

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

So, since i won't be playing it at full power very much, do you guys think i can get away with wiring to .5 ohms considering my box rise will at least by up to .9 ohms?

do it and find out. should be fine but only one way to know.

 

[Imtjnotu 5,000+ posts]

didnt read everything but why not get an amp that does power at 2 ohms and wire the subs at 2 ohms

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

didnt read everything but why not get an amp that does power at 2 ohms and wire the subs at 2 ohms

because that would be logical. remember bro.