Problems with having too big of an amp(s)

[95Prober 10+ year member]

Hi

Just a question about power from an amp on your electrical system and the stress is causes.

I'm currently running 2 JL500.1 amps off a stock alt., stock batt., 0/1 runs and the big3 done. The amps claim to put around 500-600 each, so say I have about 900-1000 RMS currently going to my subs.

Now, since I dont have a High Output alt or upgraded battery yet, and if I used a couple of MUCH larger amps, and they were strapped for around a 3000RMS output, obviously if would strain my system much more than the JL's. But even if the amps are much larger, could I just turn down my gains down a lot and adjust setting to find an area where my car can handle it, EVEN though in reality the amps shouldnt be on the electrical system I got ???

I'd rather have a lot of spare power not used that can be maybe utilized inthe future instead of not enough power but the amps are running well on my system

hope my question makes sense to y'all

thanks!!!

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[Grinder1989 5,000+ posts]

Why wouldn't you spend the money and be done with it? I bought an Alt before I got my subs hooked up. I'd get the hard stuff done for because, (I'm guessing on this but) if you have a higher constant voltage from a better alt and battery, wouldn't your amp put out more power with the higher voltage?

 

[juggielee]

rite now u r very under powered & if u go with larger amps u run the risk of smoking ur amps and/or ur alternator, at the very least u should add an xtra battery and a cap if u r not ready 2 change alternators

 

[95Prober 10+ year member]

rite now u r very under powered & if u go with larger amps u run the risk of smoking ur amps and/or ur alternator, at the very least u should add an xtra battery and a cap if u r not ready 2 change alternators

im not saying i wont upgrade, but i mean for the time being. caps are useless as well.

so youre saying ill burn out my amps or alt. by underpowering them? is this a high possibility?? like i said, what if i was to just turn the gains most of the way down and control the settings????

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

If you make less power, you'll draw less power. You could run amps capable of making 25kW on a stock alt and battery and as long as you never used more than a couple hundred watts of the potential, your stock electrical would be fine.

 

[95Prober 10+ year member]

If you make less power, you'll draw less power. You could run amps capable of making 25kW on a stock alt and battery and as long as you never used more than a couple hundred watts of the potential, your stock electrical would be fine.

ok thx! so what are the "best" ways to make less power with an oversized amp on your electrical system?? keeping the volume/bass at lower numbers?? turning down the gains really low ?? ........

 

[DejaWiz 5,000+ posts]

ok thx! so what are the "best" ways to make less power with an oversized amp on your electrical system?? keeping the volume/bass at lower numbers?? turning down the gains really low ?? ........

Yes, by properly setting the gains. See link in my sig for details.

 

[grizzly 10+ year member]

run the amps at higher ohm

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Higher imp on the amp as mentioned, keep the gain around min along with the volume.