Does Alpine MRD-M501 really require 4 gauge power/ground?

[tgenius 10+ year member]

I just purchased one of these and am going to be installing it. Do I really need 4 gauge power/ground and if so, does anyone recommend a good kit to use for that amp?

Thanks!

Click to read more...

 

[XtrmAudioCncpts 10+ year member]

yeah i would use 4 gauge. streetwires makes good kits, as well as stinger, and some other larger companies

 

[tgenius 10+ year member]

Can I get any of those kits at BestBuy/Circuit City??? How much should they run?

 

[cjjackson85 5,000+ posts]

Hit eBay up for wiring kits. BB/CC are way overpriced.

 

[XtrmAudioCncpts 10+ year member]

Hit eBay up for wiring kits. BB/CC are way overpriced.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/iagree.gif.15d6c075ee8d3913ba26866d06993068.gif

 

[tgenius 10+ year member]

My problem is I'm doing this install on saturday so I need the wiring kit at a local place. How much should it run?

 

[tgenius 10+ year member]

This is going to sound like a dumb question, but I already have an MRV-F450 (5 ch amp) that will be running 4 channels only, so my question is:Can I piggyback the turnon wire off the existing amp?

 

[tgenius 10+ year member]

I ended up buying the 4 gauge RF kit from BB and also a distribution block, so I'll re-run 4 gauge to the battery into the block, then output 2 8 gauge for both the regular amp and the sub amp.

Also, What voltage does the 9835 really run on for the preouts? 2V or 4V? There's a setting on the 501 to switch the voltage settings.

 

[M@nJo 10+ year member]

I ended up buying the 4 gauge RF kit from BB and also a distribution block, so I'll re-run 4 gauge to the battery into the block, then output 2 8 gauge for both the regular amp and the sub amp.
Also, What voltage does the 9835 really run on for the preouts? 2V or 4V? There's a setting on the 501 to switch the voltage settings.

DOH, i was about to post recommend buying the power wire, speaker wire, remote wire, fuse holder, fuse, terminals, etc separately. its probably the same cost amounts but you specifically chose those pieces and acheive the "greater" installation gear. but if your one of those lazy guys then its all good lol.

as for the voltage of the alpine 9835, check the manual. it should be at the very end or at the end of the english section. has all the specs of the deck.

 

[tgenius 10+ year member]

Yeah, I'm one of them lazy guys.. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif I want it simple, but clean.. I drive an Infiniti G35 sedan, so while I probably could of gone cheap, I use Monster Interconnect RCAs (yea I know Monster is overrated //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif) Plus all my gear is top stuff. Is the distribution block idea a good one? The BB guy mentioned he recommends having 3 layers of fuses, (I assume Amps, and Distribution Block?) I got some 60A fuses too, so that should work nicely.

 

[Ignatowski 5,000+ posts]

Knukoncepts.com

 

[Bill3508 10+ year member]

They are supposed to be 4 volts, but the subout sure isn't. I've got the MRD-M301 and this is how I have it set up. First my normal listening volume on the 9835 is around 22-24, but I can go all the way to 35 without any distortion. If you don't keep the volume level around this level on the hu you will never get much sub output. Front and rear outputs are much stronger, and require a very low gain on my 4 channel. It just doesn't put out any voltage on the subout until the upper levels on the HU. My amp is set on 4 volt, input set to 0, gain 0, LPF 80/24, sub sonic off(sealed box), bass comp off, EQ off. Make sure you save you settings at the last memo category.

Bill3508

 

[tgenius 10+ year member]

Bill-are you using the KCE-510M? I bought it to control the 501 through the 9835. Should the gain be left at 0? I know you don't want to go full blast, but shouldn't it be 1/3 or so?

 

[00GREENMACHINE 10+ year member]

They are supposed to be 4 volts, but the subout sure isn't. I've got the MRD-M301 and this is how I have it set up. First my normal listening volume on the 9835 is around 22-24, but I can go all the way to 35 without any distortion. If you don't keep the volume level around this level on the hu you will never get much sub output. Front and rear outputs are much stronger, and require a very low gain on my 4 channel. It just doesn't put out any voltage on the subout until the upper levels on the HU. My amp is set on 4 volt, input set to 0, gain 0, LPF 80/24, sub sonic off(sealed box), bass comp off, EQ off. Make sure you save you settings at the last memo category.
Bill3508

bill I hate to tell you, but you are wrong. When you set the subwoofer control from -15 to 0( 0 is really + 15 Alpine did this backassward) you will get 4 volts on the sub. output. I have tested several alpines and this was the case in all of them.

 

[Bill3508 10+ year member]

The 9835 sub control goes from 0 to 15. I do have the KCE-510M but I does not work real well. Sometime when you hit the button to go to alplifier link it will not go into the setting format but stays on amp 1(named amp). I can select my preset settings on the amp of 1 or 2 though, and see amp, voltage and temp.

I'm just telling you how I had to set this thing up. I've scoured the internet and found people having similar problems with the sub preout voltage on the alpine units. And people having to use similar settings with these digital amps to get good results. I almost got rid of this amp because of it. Setting the gain where I thought it should be, 4 v with input probably at -12 produced very little power. Some people have used the input switch with the alpines and run it on .1-1 volt for the 301 or 2 volts with the 501.

My sub sounds great set this way and I have no distortion or clipping. The amp draws very little current which is the only reason I did not want to get rid of it, plus it runs very cool even after hours of use. Your results may very but its what I had to do to get it to sound good. I can lower the input level to -6 and with the hu sub setting at 15 will get decent bass but still far from what it should be. I'm more than happy to discuss any of this, and interested to see what future relpies will be.

Bill3508