Box design and a few other questions on subs

[Loud Ranger]

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

Anything is better than upside down. Heat rises and the side and tops of amps have cooling fins and not the bottoms.

 

[kcm1582]

I did some calling around and the local jy has a 115A alt for $50. Is that worth the time and money or should I wait and get a reman 130A for $110?

 

[Loud Ranger]

I wouldnt buy a junkyard alt unless you plan on getting it rewound or rebuilt. Just for the reason that you cant really tell if its good or not other than feeling the bearings when you spin the pulley and most junkyards wont return electronics even if it tests bad at a parts store.

 

[Loud Ranger]

And i really doubt you will need a higher output alt for just 700w rms.

 

[kcm1582]

I wouldnt buy a junkyard alt unless you plan on getting it rewound or rebuilt. Just for the reason that you cant really tell if its good or not other than feeling the bearings when you spin the pulley and most junkyards wont return electronics even if it tests bad at a parts store.

The one around me is usually pretty good about that kind of stuff but that's still a good point.

And i really doubt you will need a higher output alt for just 700w rms.

Yeah I think I am just going to start with what I have and upgrade if needed.

 

[kcm1582]

Ok I have finished designing the box and amp rack but the only thing I have left to decide on is how much room i need between the sub and the floor. The sub has a max excursion of half an inch so I am thinking 1-1.5 inches to let the sub freely move. Is that enough or do I need more room?

 

[kcm1582]

Bump. Anyone have any input on the sub height?

 

[4.0B2]

If the Max is .5 I'd run about an inch. I think mine (without the padding and carpet) is closer to 1.5 or so; with that thick padding it's probably an inch. That's with a kicker DVC CVR 10". Idk what the max is on it.

 

[kcm1582]

That's the same sub I will be running. I sarted making templates and it looks like I will be somewhere between 1.5-1.75" off the floor.

 

[4.0B2]

I'm thinking that should be plenty.
I don't push my sub that hard so...

 

[kcm1582]

Yeah I wont be either. Did you brace your box or is it pretty sturdy on its own?

 

[4.0B2]

It's 3/4 MDF
It's not supported internally or anything. It's got a lot of weight on it with my tools and I ain't had any problems.

 

[kcm1582]

Ok one last question. Im about ready to finish my install but am having trouble deciding on a ground location. There are the seat bolts for the jump seats right next to the box but I have heard that they can be a bad ground in some vehicles. Any other good places ir is that my best option?

 

[509lifted]

if u have carpet lift it up and sand down to the metal and use a aelf taping screw thats what i do and it works great but if u do that use an eye connector that the screw goes thru instead of a u connector that slides under the head of the screwand make sure its tight

 

[kcm1582]

I ended up with a bolt through a tab on the back wall of the cab. The seat bolts resistance was through the roof, but the tab was nice and low.