Forum Discussion

sillsmws's avatar
sillsmws
Explorer
Jan 24, 2015

What is the proper way to hook up a stereo amp?

Hey guys i had my amp and subs hooked up in my old trailer using a ac to dc converter and it burnt something up and i lost all my electric.

What is the proper way to get power for the amp it is a 1000 watt amp ?
Do i run power straight from the battery to it? Or do i pig tail my power that i got going to the stereo and power it from there? i have already replaced the stereo that came with the travel trailer with the deck i used to use for my subs and that works fine. Just not sure where to get power from for the amp without burning something up. I would be running a 1000 watt amp a 600 watt amp and 2 15 inch subs and the tweeters and other speakers. Thank you all for your time.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Jan 24, 2015
    Look at your existing converter to see what make and model it is. See what the charging rate is.
    My first guess would be to but a battery charger in at least 50 amp or more. This would recharge the batteries while the radio and amp is off. The batteries would be drawn down quite a bit depending on use.
  • sillsmws's avatar
    sillsmws
    Explorer
    Jan 24, 2015
    Its ok KD4UPL lol. My camper is stationary out on my moms land. We dont have any neighbors besides my mom my brother and me for about 3 miles. So i will not be bothering anyone lol.
  • sillsmws's avatar
    sillsmws
    Explorer
    Jan 24, 2015
    Thanks for the reply. I got a few big marine batteries i can add to it but how would i go about keeping them charged? Thank you for your help.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Jan 24, 2015
    Straight off the battery. Large wire. Large fuses.
    I love loud music but I hope you never camp beside me.
  • wareagle30's avatar
    wareagle30
    Explorer
    Jan 24, 2015
    2 or 0 ga wire, off pos battery terminal. You'll want a 100amp inline fuse, then an appropriate capacitor.

    You might as well add a shutoff switch for the power to the sub too. If you aren't plugged in to shore power, she's gonna go dead mighty quick pulling that kind of amperage.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Jan 24, 2015
    Without reading the name plate on your 1000 watt amp, I would guess that it will need about 100 amps at 12 volts. The amp would need to be wired straight off the battery with large enough wire plus voltage drop to carry 100 amps. That would be about a #2 wire.
    My guess is that you overloaded your converter and either burnt it up or blew a fuse either in the converter or the 12 volt DC power distribution center.
    Don't forget to add a couple more batteries to run the amp!

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