need an explanation please

[nawgee 10+ year member]

ok so i have a jl audio 500/1 mono amp installed under the seat of my car is this a good place to have it....my friend said that it gets too hot there and that the trunk is the best place....but i've seen many people with there amps under their seats....so my question is does it make a difference

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[endofdays89 5,000+ posts]

amps under the seat is not a good idear man. At least not where im from.

 

[king ranch 5,000+ posts]

i recall jl doesnt run hot so under the seat should be fine

 

[Silvercoupex 10+ year member]

I have a 500/1 under 1 seat and a 300/4 under the other..Once its in place, you can not see amp, wires, etc....All hidden under seat for a very nice install. Of couse, I have bigger seats since Im in a truck.

 

[blazinb2000 10+ year member]

I think with my rf amp they recommended having at least a couple of inches all the way around the amp to allow for hot air to move away from the amp. Just make sure there is plenty of clearance all the way around and the amp is mounted for maximum affect of its heatsink cooling ability. My rf punch 450.4 is mounted under my seat for a majority of the Arkansas 100+ degree summer.

 

[knukonceptz 10+ year member]

As long as the amp has some room to allow airflow across the heat sink, you should be good. If the amp is wedged in soo tight that no air can get around it, then its not a good idea.

 

[DidUHearThat? 10+ year member]

+1

It just depends if there is enough air flow around the amp and if that heat can escape and draw in cool air. I have an amp under my seat but there is tons of room and airflow in my van.

 

[nawgee 10+ year member]

hmm so i think ima relocate it then....my lancer doesn't have that much space under my seat...plus my amp is chilling right next to my cap which means less space....that also leads to my next question...should i drop the cap and get a second battery because i keep hearing that caps dont really help much anyway and im tired of my sound system always cutting off when i crank it up :/

 

[Fusion_FREAK 10+ year member]

Add a small fan under the seat with it, allowing it will fit.

 

[nawgee 10+ year member]

Add a small fan under the seat with it, allowing it will fit.

yea a fan wouldnt fit under my seat =/ lancers are small unfortunately

 

[Mike465 10+ year member]

Well with it under the seat you gain signal voltage into the amp as well as a higher power voltage do to the shorter power cable. I have a jl 300/2 and it is tucked under both of my rockford T4000.1bd's and I have never got the amp to over heat.

 

[GMCJimmyslt2000 10+ year member]

Well with it under the seat you gain signal voltage into the amp as well as a higher power voltage do to the shorter power cable. I have a jl 300/2 and it is tucked under both of my rockford T4000.1bd's and I have never got the amp to over heat.

having 3 to 4 feet more of power wire from under seat to the trunk is not gonna have a significant voltage drop if any at all.

 

[GMCJimmyslt2000 10+ year member]

amps under the seat is not a good idear man. At least not where im from.

i still havent seen u post anything thats actaully right.

if u dont no what ur talking bout, please dont post it. Its bad to give out false info, cuz some1 might actually do it and it might end up fukin their shi t up.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Nothing wrong with mounting it under the seat. Allow for circulation of air around the side of the amp with the fins, that's the only part of the JL amps that is a heatsink. As long as you can ensure cooling air and air circulation around the amp, you can pretty much mount them anywhere. In regards to air circulation, underseat installation is many times better than the trunk. Not much air cycling in the trunk but you usually either have the A/C on or windows down up front. That means not only cooling for you but for the amp as well.

 

[GearGuy2001 10+ year member]

hmm so i think ima relocate it then....my lancer doesn't have that much space under my seat...plus my amp is chilling right next to my cap which means less space....that also leads to my next question...should i drop the cap and get a second battery because i keep hearing that caps dont really help much anyway and im tired of my sound system always cutting off when i crank it up :/

Caps dont do much, check the Big 3 thread that should solve most of your dimming issues