Questions about installing an amp

[GIJeff]

I?m new to boating (somewhat experienced w/ car audio) and want to add an amplifier to my 2006 Tahoe Q4 Sport. My biggest concern is being dead on the water w/ a dead battery, so I?m curious what others are doing to install an amp in their system and ensure they don?t drain their battery. I intend to let my boat sit for an hour or two at times with the stereo on. Are you putting in a second battery? Is it even necessary to put an amp on the system I have?

I have two Bazooka MT8002CHW 8? Compression Horn Tubbies on my tower, and two Alpine SPS-M600 6.5? speakers in the boat.

The two amplifiers I?m wanting to pick between are the Sony XM604M Marine 4/3 Channel Amp (110 w x 4 @ 4 ohms, 150 w x 2 @ 2 ohms), and then Alpine V-Power MRP-F250 4 Channel Amp (40w x 4 @4 ohms, 50 w x 4 @ 2 ohms). I?ve never been a fan of Sony, but I?m leading towards picking it (they are the same price). Any recommendations on either?Or another Amp? I?m looking for a 4 channel amp that I can get for under $175 (I?ll buy from Amazon or something similar more than likely).

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Questions about installing an amp

The "no brainer" solution, is to add a Blue-Sea "Add-A-Battery" combo of a Battery Switch, and an ACR (Automatic Charging Relay).
Properly installed, you have one battery for starting, and a separate Deep-Cycle battery for your house circuits. Run it dead, and you still have a fully charged battery to start the motor (and recharge your house battery).

I'm "THIS CLOSE" to having mine built, and installed, and will be documenting it fully.

 

[GIJeff]

Re: Questions about installing an amp

You made that sound really expensive haha is it? And do you think it is necessary to have an amp for those speakers or even a second battery to run it?

I have a portable car battery charger/jumper. Anything wrong with using that if my battery dies?

 

[BajaCustoms]

Re: Questions about installing an amp

To me yor amp decision is a no brainer, definetely go with the alpine, so much better quality than the sony. As for the "dead in the water situation" a second battery with an isolator is definetily the only way to go. In our shop we use Stinger AGM batteries, these are designed specifically for audio use and take forever to completely discharge. Pick out the battery thats right for the job pair it with an isolator and you are good to go.

 

[dvtran]

Re: Questions about installing an amp

I went with a 4/3/2 channel Clarion amp to run a 12 inch sub and two bazooka towers. My clarion deck runs my 4 component 6.5 kickers. It sounds perfect. I also installed another battery with a blue sea switch. All in all it cost me about 2500 Canadian. Being in the states you will probably save yourself atleast 500 dollars. We get taken to the cleaners for everything we buy up here in Canada, from arse wipe to gasoline.

 

[GIJeff]

Re: Questions about installing an amp

I ended up purchasing a JBL 4 x 60 watt marine amp. Without having subs, do you think just one battery is sufficient enough to run the system? I don't leave the engine off for more than 30-45 minutes when listening to music.

I'm trying to avoid doing the blue-sea combo/second battery if possible.

 

[GIJeff]

Re: Questions about installing an amp

Does anybody know?

 

[Slide]

Re: Questions about installing an amp

Does anybody know?

Get a good dual purpose starting/deep cycle battery and you will be just fine. I have an Optima Bluetop and can run 87w x 4 for several hours with no issues. If you want the peace of mind, bring a chargeable jump box along with you, but there's no real reason to go dual battery.