Box design and a few other questions on subs

kcm1582 · Jan 20, 2012

Well, I am getting ready to put a Kicker CompVR 10" sub and a zx400.1 amp in my truck but before I do, I have a few questions I want to clear up. The whole idea of the system is that I want good clean audio that isn't obvious when you look into the cab.

First, for a box I am thinking of custom building a box that goes across the entire back of the cab to make a false floor and use part of it for the sub and the rest to house the amp and wiring. Will a flat enclosure hurt bass response or am I fine as long as I make the cf requirements of the sub?

Second, will the stock alternator hold up to the draw of the 400w sub plus another 300w amp for the speakers, or does that need to be upgraded too?

Third, what gauge speaker wire would be best? I think I have some 16 gauge left from the speaker install but I'm not sure it will take 400W.

Thanks

PFM99 · Jan 21, 2012

the only thing you really need to watch on shallow boxs like that is if the sub has a vented pole you want to leave a few inches behind the sub before the back of the box and if the amps 400 watt ild say 8 gague would good enof but if you think you might do somthing bigger later might as well run some 4

kcm1582 · Jan 21, 2012

The box will be a sealed enclosure, and when I put the 4 ch amp in I ran 4 gauge knowing a sub was going to follow.

gettle03FX4LevelII · Jan 21, 2012

If your worried about the alternator you can either run a cap or get an exploder alternator.

kcm1582 · Jan 21, 2012

A cap wont do much unless your alternator will handle the system on its own first. I will have to look into the Explorer alternators.

Loud Ranger · Jan 22, 2012

the 130 amp explorer is a cheap upgrade but ive ran 1500w rms off the factory alt with a 1000ca battery and had no problems. As long as you dont have a weak alt already you should be fine.

kcm1582 · Jan 23, 2012

Thanks. Did you have any issues with dimming lights?

Loud Ranger · Jan 23, 2012

only playing at full blast at idle and still it didnt dim very much. A good battery goes a long way.

4.0B2 · Jan 23, 2012

1. sealed box, down firing sub, can sound fine if done properly. have you seen a pic of my box for my b2? i don't have any "cleaned up" pics but i'll show one, it won't work for what you're doing but... it'll prove that i have a downfiring "false" floor sub box, kinda....lol.

2. try it w/ the stock alternator.. see what happens. i don't have any problems w/ a 90 amp alternator on my 4.0 but i also have a dual battery setup... a regular starting battery and then a deep cycle marine battery... i'm still thinking of finding an EB explorer alternator (its a 130 amp) but i'm running lights and will have a winch also. for just a system, try it..see what happens.

3. speaker wire, bigger the better right? lol. i think all of mine is 12 gauge.

a good battery goes a long way, if you don't wanna do 2 batteries... i suggest the Sears Platinum battery. i think they offer a sealed battery now also. just don't buy into Optima marketing, their new batteries are not that good. i have 2 in my shed that are about useless.... wasted money.

make sure to use proper wiring when hooking up the amp. if running a 300 watt amp, IMO buy a 500 watt amp kit. i don't think the amp kits are rated good enough... but i like to overkill. i have 00 gauge wiring hooking both of my amps.

kcm1582 · Jan 23, 2012

Actually that box is almost exactly what I want to do except I want to run it wall to wall and narrow enough to fit behind the seats, then carpet it.

How did you set up the dual battery? I would love to put an Exide deep cycle in.

I think 12 gauge is what I will end up running for wire.

4.0B2 · Jan 23, 2012

oh sorry.. here's my box. its a b2 so.. i can do this!

amps will be mounted upside down to the box where they are now. wiring will be cleaned up and hidden. sounds great!

kcm1582 · Jan 24, 2012

Is that 3/4" or 1" mdf?

4.0B2 · Jan 24, 2012

kcm1582 said:
Is that 3/4" or 1" mdf?

ya know... i'm not real sure.... hold please....

ok i'm back...

its 3/4"

Loud Ranger · Jan 25, 2012

careful mounting the amps upside down, car amps cant dissipate heat upside down when the heat sink is below the circuit board.

4.0B2 · Jan 25, 2012

Loud Ranger said:
careful mounting the amps upside down, car amps cant dissipate heat upside down when the heat sink is below the circuit board.

Can't be any worse than behind my old sub box wedged between the box and my seat...

Box design and a few other questions on subs

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