My Z has a 300 watt Kicker amp powering the sub currently installed. I am adding an Alpine PDX 2.150 amp to power the components. As far as installing the 2nd amp, can I just run the power line in line with the first amp or do I need to run a new power line from the battery? Thanks

 

First question before we can help.....what guage wire do you have from the battery to the amp now?

If it's at least a 4awg wire, you can pick up a distribution block to split into two 8awg wires to feed each amp and then ground the two amps to the same ground point.

 

I would avoid using the same grounding point for both amps. That could introduce noise into your system. Besides, it so easy to make a new ground, why take the chance?
http://www.epanorama.net/documents/g...op/basics.html

Also if your running 4 awg to a distribution block, its ok to run 8 to the amp running your components, but maintain the 4 awg to the sub amp, it will thank you later.

 

Different grounding point - no prob.

Also, I cant tell what guage the power wire is.. Can you tell from the pics?
Assuming this is 4 awg wire, I need to get a distribution block, and from that I should run 4 awg wire to the sub amp and 8 awg wire to the component amp?

 

Wait a minute.

You understand that the source document that you pointed to actually says the exact opposite of what you suggested don't you?

You actually do want one ground source for everything. Typically a star ground is designed with one heavy gauge cable running directly to the battery post and out to the cabin to offer the lowest possible resistance to the power source. From that cable in a star-like fashion from a ground distribution block smaller cables run out to each of the active devices in the system - the headend, the amplifiers, the processors .... presenting one source of equal resistance to ground.

When equipment is grounded to different locations there exists the possibility of a difference in potential between the two which can develop a voltage across. Bad thing. If signal cables are a better ground between these two points the power will actually flow partially through the signal cables creating a loop where the power can come though the power wires or the signal wires. Bad thing.

 

Hard to tell from the pictures but the blue wire doesn't look nearly big enough to be 4 gauge. I would guess 8 gauge. It's printed every 12" along the length typically.

 

OK, I just ordered a 4 guage wiring kit from crutchfield. And a distribution block

I guess I'll rewire the system with the new wire if it's not 4 guage now, i gotta go look.. The distribution block says it requires in line fuses.. what size/type do I need???

 

I read the section a little lower:

Why ground loop is a problem ?

Ground loop is a common problem when connecting multiple audio-visual system components together, there is a good change of making a nasty ground loops. Ground loop problems are one of the most common noise problems in audio systems. Typical indication of the ground loop problem is audible 50 Hz or 60 Hz (depends on mains voltage frequency used in your country) noise in sound. Most common situation where you meet ground loop problems are when your system includes equipment connected to earthed elecric outlet and antenna network or equipments connected to different grounded outlets around the room.



Hmm maybe that part refers to Home audio equipment. Thanks for pointing that out, I hate giving bad advice (no sarcasm). I'll have to pick the FT installers brain a little bit about this subject. Maybe I'm thinking about not using the same ground for an amp and a cap..
Here's another link though, maybe I should just edit my link above
http://www.caraudiohelp.com/newslett...amplifiers.htm
"Ground Wire
I ground my components using separate ground points and I think others should too. I could go into all of the scientific reasons for this but it all boils down to noise. In my experience you have less chance for noise when you separate ground points as compared to using a single ground point. That's not to say that either way is a sure fire method to eliminate noise but it helps if they are separated by at least six inches or so I've found.
That being said, any grounding method that is both safe and effective while keeping out noise is a good method. I choose to separate the grounds but some installers choose to run them to the same point. If you choose to run your ground wires to one point you can also use a distribution block. If you do not use a distribution block then you will want to stack you ground wires so that the largest current carrying wire (usually from your largest amplifier) is on the bottom (closest to the ground point) and that your smallest current carrying wire is on the top (closest to the head of your grounding screw)."


But for now I guess I wouldnt change the grounds unless you have noise in the system when your all done

 

As for the fuse size just go to the kicker web site then the alpine web site and they will have the exact specs/fuse size for those amps.