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Old 03-08-2017, 04:52 PM   #1
IndyLane
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Default Stereo Amplifier Question

Disclaimer - I really know nothing about batteries and amplifiers.

My question is that I am going to buy the JL Audio MHX280/4 amplifier.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_136984....html?tp=61752

It says its rated at 14.4V

If I'm connecting this through a voltage reducer that is a 48v to 12v, I would assume that means the amplifier is only getting 12 volts.

What are the ramifications to only getting 12 volts. Am I wasting my money on adding the amplifier and maybe should just run the speakers from the radio head unit?

Thanks!
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Old 03-08-2017, 05:40 PM   #2
Gearhead1956
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Default Re: Stereo Amplifier Question

NO, all amps are rated at 14.4 volts. Its a sales gimmick.

Amps put out more when driven with 14.4 so they can advertise more watts!
So looks at the out put driven @ 12volts. A good amp will give both spec's

When looking at amps look at

RMS- that's the continues power. Most amps advertise hi power but thats only peak power that only happens for a split sec!

If you want clear sound at hi levels you need to look at the THD- total harmonic distortion and compare. Don't get fooled by a THD of .05 that looks good but sound sucks!

My 2 amps are .001 TDH with 750 watts RMS. But I did have to put 2 tractor trailer batteries in it and up grade my alt. to 130 amps to keep it from killing my 502 in my boat!
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Old 03-08-2017, 06:56 PM   #3
cgtech
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Default Re: Stereo Amplifier Question

When a cars engine is running, the alternator is charging & holding the battery and electrical system to a higher voltage than 12 (13.6 or more), so an amp would have to be built with components capable of higher voltage than that so it doesn't fry when you start the engine. Keep in mind, an amp still works without the engine running so you don't really need to worry about the amp running on 12v. What you do have to worry about is finding a voltage reducer that can run all your accessories, your stereo and your amp at the same time.
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Old 03-08-2017, 07:00 PM   #4
orangeman6
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Default Re: Stereo Amplifier Question

Gearhead, I'd love to hear the system in your boat. That sounds like you put some thought and $ into it.

Indy, gearhead obviously knows what he's talking about, so listen to his advice. I would add that you need to consider your whole plan, and what you're trying to get out of your system.

-What head unit are you running, and how many watts does it put out?
-what speakers, and what are they rated for?
-what's the output of your reducer?

At 50 watts rms x 4, you'd be pulling 30+ amps, I believe. (Someone smarter check me on that if needed) Usually, you want to double that number as a safety factor, but maybe you'd never max out the system.

Most good head units can drive 4 decent 6 1/2's. I've got 2 6 1/2's and 2 8's in the headliner of my cart and I can't turn it up even close to full, unless I'm well away from the cart. Typically, unless you're running a sub, or have some omg system like gearhead, a good head unit is all you'll need in a cart.

I saw your link was to Crutchfield. Their customer service is excellent. Figure out exactly what you want out of your setup, get the specs for what you already have and give them a call.
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Old 03-08-2017, 07:28 PM   #5
Gearhead1956
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Default Re: Stereo Amplifier Question

Thanks Orangeman6

I had to learn!! My first audio pro shop installed $ 2500 system sounded like S--T
But to be fair they had no idea of what it takes to have good tunes over 75mph wind and open headers!

A good small amp ( THD is very important here ) 200-300 watts will make any system sound better and loud and clear!

Just watch the amp hour draw on the unit, you don't want to run your batteries dead!

The first day I installed my system in the boat I was running 75mph at 5100 rpms and the engine died, batteries dead with in 10 min. So in a electric cart with no alternator you need to be mind full of the draw.

Oh and Crutchfield does provide good spec's and good price. A lot of there stuff is last years stuff but who cares!
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Old 03-09-2017, 11:37 AM   #6
IndyLane
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Default Re: Stereo Amplifier Question

Thanks for the help guys!
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Old 03-09-2017, 02:44 PM   #7
IndyLane
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Default Re: Stereo Amplifier Question

How will the amp affect the run time of my batteries? Is it a big drain? I see you say it's probably pulling something like 30 amps...is that a lot?
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Old 03-09-2017, 03:55 PM   #8
orangeman6
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Default Re: Stereo Amplifier Question

Indy, I messed up and doubled your potential amps. Yours is 4x50w, correct? 200w total/12v is 16.66 amps. That's without the "doubleit" safety factor and doesn't take into account the inefficiency level of the amp, so it's ballpark. Not being any kind of expert, I like to fudge a bit to the safe side.

Johnnieb has a bunch of stuff on this forum about batteries and what you can get out of them. Maybe he will see this and respond. I know it's above my pay grade. I'd click on his handle and scroll through his recent posts. He posts a lot but he's got some recent stuff on battery capabilities that is real educational, and you should be able to learn what you need from it.

Fwiw, my voltage reducer puts out 30 amps. You never mentioned the specs on yours or your head unit and speakers. Imho opinion, a good head unit should be all you need, but depending on the size of its internal amp, will have a certain draw as well. Mine, rated at 4x40 says it's max would be 15 amps at 12v, if that helps give you some idea.

You never really said either what you're after with your stereo. I think that when you're picking components, it's a good idea to remember how difficult it is to get truly great sound out of a golf cart when you consider speaker placement limitations and an open air environment. Are you sure you need the amp?
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Old 03-10-2017, 07:45 AM   #9
Conradconrad
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Default Re: Stereo Amplifier Question

I'm also interested in this.

Let's says you have a reducer running you accessories - How does accessory amp draw affect battery S.o.C. And how much distance do you loose by having a lot of accessories- the ratio that is?

I'm used to cars with alternators so I never worried about it.
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Old 03-10-2017, 10:17 AM   #10
Gearhead1956
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Default Re: Stereo Amplifier Question

All batteries have a spec called AMP HOURS, That is the number of amps for a amount of time the batt. can produce with out being charged.

Everything you run off the batt. has a amp draw, If you dig into the spec's of most anything it will show you the amp draw.

When running an amplified stereo system the more volume, the more amps used. The larger the amplifier ( watts per channel ) the more amps it will pull.
Every system is different! Most of the time its not an issue, but since carts have no onboard charging system it could be an issue. Just depend on the size of your system and how loud you play it!

Never had an electric cart, but I would think a moderate system ( 200-300 ) watts played at a normal volume would not have a huge impact on the batt. run time. But if your going to play it a normal volume why not just buy a good head unit with a built in small amp and skip all the headache!

In my case on the boat I was trying to overcome 75 mph wind noise and a big block with open headers. It took a lot of juice! But in my drive way the people 4 blocks away the there was a live concert going on!
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