I need more power! Exploring Options

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jeffr630

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just thought i'd put in my two cents

not to gang up on angel, but i agree with Denali0229 on the alternator. i also dont think you should have your HPF at 350 and the LPF at 80, thats a huge Hz gap thats not being produced. i would do 80-100 LPF and 100-150 HPF. i wouldnt recommend having your bass boost up that high either, everyone i've talked to who knows their stuff says its ******* the amp and the subs, i've even heard of people damaging their equip that way. i usually have it at a quarter or less.

i was running 1200w total system power on a battery from autozone and a stock 110 amp alternator and stock big 3, and at full power i had minimal interior light dimming and no headlight dimming. people that get a second battery are running over 1200w and people that get a ** alt or second alt are running over 2000w.
 

Knobz

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I'm kinda in the same boat for needing more power. I'm right around 2000watts for the whole system and having power issues. I have already done the big3 and have a Decka battery. I've talked to a few ppl, stereo shops, Rockford techs, the guys from XS power and Mechman techs and everyone is saying get a bigger alternator. Dual alts, no not necessary. A 270amp alt from Mechman should do the trick and it comes with they're VCM (voltage control module) so I can turn up the voltage and be at a steady 14.8 volts with no voltage drop. It's about $500 out the door for the setup.
 

Jbird

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Do big 3 first. Then ground the amps straight to the frame also. If you still need more and cant raise your ohm load then add or replace the alt. then you can think about batterys.
 

alc5m

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just thought i'd put in my two cents

not to gang up on angel, but i agree with Denali0229 on the alternator. i also dont think you should have your HPF at 350 and the LPF at 80, thats a huge Hz gap thats not being produced. i would do 80-100 LPF and 100-150 HPF. i wouldnt recommend having your bass boost up that high either, everyone i've talked to who knows their stuff says its ******* the amp and the subs, i've even heard of people damaging their equip that way. i usually have it at a quarter or less.

i was running 1200w total system power on a battery from autozone and a stock 110 amp alternator and stock big 3, and at full power i had minimal interior light dimming and no headlight dimming. people that get a second battery are running over 1200w and people that get a ** alt or second alt are running over 2000w.

youre exactly right about the bass boost, anything and everything i;ve ever been taught or learned is that you should really never use the boost, ends up clipping the signal and damaging your equipment, with that being said, if the subs arent loud enough for whoever has them, upgrade

and big 3 should easily fix the dimming, if i'm not mistaken, the kenwood amp in question is class d digital, and iirc, the digital kenwoods dont always run at rated, but thats just been my experience, so i'm not sure why the dimming is so bad
 

1LoudHoe

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Bass boost= distortion
for a low power system like that all you need is your big3 done and a decent battery like a deka intimidator
900 watts shouldnt cause lights dimming what so ever, let alone from that kenwood amp.
willing to bet your setup isnt setup correctly as far as gain as well..

no need for a dual alt setup until you start pushing real power.
perhaps your alt is going bad.
 
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