Amp Location Advice for a 1995 Super Sport Nautique

[wesman]

Hi everyone, I am getting ready to install a Clarion APX480M Marine Amp in my 1995 Super Sport Nautique, and was wondering anyone can give me some advice for installation locations or lessons learned before I start. I am thinking about installing it on the starboard side of the boat either in front of the driver's seat (to the right of driver's legs) or a little further back either between the driver's seat back and hull or just behind the driver's seat. Any thoughts on that? Locating it there would make the wiring run much simpler, since that is near the head unit and on the same side of the boat as the battery, plus it would have much better air flow than locating it in a hidden location (such as on the port side behind the port passenger seating ). I am just concerned about the amount of heat that the amp will produce (will it burn the driver's bare legs if they touch the amp?). There seems to be enough room next to the driver's seat. Thoughts or recommendations? Thanks in advance! This is an awesome forum!! Wesley in Tx

[Sinkoumn]

RE: Amp Location Advice for a 1995 Super Sport Nautique

I really don't think you'll burn your legs on the amps unless you're really pushing them. But even then they shouldn't get that hot.

As for the mounting location, I installed mine on the port side under the passenger seat - the reason being is that it is an added sense of security from the goods being stolen. Under there they are out-of-sight, out-of-mind. For mounting them I just cut some wood ribs on the table-saw, then used a blade and basically traced the rib to cut out the carpet on the sidewall. Use liquid nails, or a hard curing epoxy and glue the ribs right up. From there just mount the amps.

Wake_Fun did an interesting setup for his amp mounting, look that up too for more idears.
edit:
here's wake_funs setup:
http://www.planetnautique.com/index....pic&t=3333

[wesman]

RE: Amp Location Advice for a 1995 Super Sport Nautique

Thanks for the advice Sinkoumn! I saw that pose by Wake_Fun, and I am actually thinking of using those mounting posts that he used. That is a very good point about keeping it out of sight for theft/security reasons...I didn't even think of that! Mercy, that would be a big bummer to have it stolen! It is just such a pain to have to buy/run such long wiring to that location, but I am now leaning towards installing it on the port side hull wall behing the seating like Wake_Fun did so it won't get stolen. There is not much ( or any) air flow in that location though, but if it doesn't get that hot, then it shouldn't be an issue.

One question though: Do I need to run a power line directly to the battery from the amp, and if so, what gauge wire do you recommend? Or can I tap into the same hot wire from the dash breakers that the head unit is connected to? Also, what gauge/type of wiring do you recommend for the speaker wiring? I will be connecting to 4 Polk MOMOs mounted in the port and starboard sides of the passenger area (the factory speaker locations).

Thank again for your help! Wesley in TX

[Sinkoumn]

RE: Amp Location Advice for a 1995 Super Sport Nautique

Usually when you upgrade any amp you want to run power directly from the battery. Make sure that you get a fuse as well (typically a Maxi fuse is the best bet, and for your setup I think a 50amp fuse would work out) and install that in between the battery and amp.

As for power wire from the battery to the amp, I would likely go with 4AWG power and ground wire (I buy all my power wire on ebay, and it's not too bad on the wallet). For the speaker wire, I'm guessing you'll set it up to be 80W × 4 Into 4 Ohms, so you'd could probably get away with standard 18awg or maybe 16awg.

[wesman]

RE: Amp Location Advice for a 1995 Super Sport Nautique

Hey, thanks again. That is great if I could get by with 16awg wire. I thought I was going to have to spring for 14 or 12awg wire for the speakers. A couple of final questions....what gauge wire would I need for the RCA cables that connect the amp to the head unit? Also, for both RCA and speaker wire, would you recommend the "twisted" pair speaker wire as opposed to the traditional "side by side" type wire? Seems like the twisted pair is better and eliminating interference from other sources.

Thanks again! Wesley from TX

[Sinkoumn]

RE: Amp Location Advice for a 1995 Super Sport Nautique

I just use some super basic RCA that I got from wally-world:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3371472

As for the wire type, I also just use the basic side-by-side wire. I don't get any interference or alternator whine, and I really can't tell the difference between my setup and someone that uses the more expensive cables. I'd guess though that you get what you pay for, but in all honesty it's hard to tell when you're in a boat.

[wesman]

RE: Amp Location Advice for a 1995 Super Sport Nautique

I totally get the part about being in a boat. The only reason for adding the amp is so I can at least HEAR my stereo when the boat is running/driving. I am hoping the amp solves the problem...with the basic Clarion head and Polk speakers, I couldn't turn it up very loud w/o getting a ton of distortion. Hopefully, the amp with fix that. I don't wan't to blast people out of other boats or let people hear my music from across the lake, but just want to hear it myself!

Thanks again for the advice! Wesley

[Sinkoumn]

RE: Amp Location Advice for a 1995 Super Sport Nautique

The amp should solve the problem, I was more referring to the more expensive RCA cable that you can buy (compared to the cheap stuff at Walmart the difference is minimal IMO, but if you're wiring up a car or your house the better cable is the way to go).

[wesman]

RE: Amp Location Advice for a 1995 Super Sport Nautique

I totally agree with you. With all the noise from the boat engine, water, other boats, wind, etc, I didn't think it would be worth it to pay big bucks for thick/expensive wire since any gain you would have in sound quality would be negated by the background noise. I am operating on a tight budget, since I saving to get my seats recovered and some engine/tranny leaks fixed. Take it easy! Wesley

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Amp Location Advice for a 1995 Super Sport Nautique

I have found a website that sells cabling etc really cheap. www.rite-av.com
I have bought a ton of stuff or my home theater from them. HDMI cables for like $6-7 Best Buy wants 10 times that. They have long stuff remote installations too.

[jroyal]

Another source for cheap cables.......

http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp

[wake_fun]

You could also mount it on the backside of a kick panel. You can make a new bigger kick panel like I did.

[wesman]

Thanks a bunch everyone! You guys are awesome!!!! I am going to start getting the cables and other stuff needed to install the amp, so when I tackle it, I can knock it out as quickly as possible (well, I can dream can't I??) hee hee

[tiqueman97]

I mounted one amp behind the kick panel, as wake_fun mentioned and also two under the raised deck for the front seating area (bow). I made an "amp rack" out of a piece of starboard and then covered it with matching carpet. I mounted the 2 amps and wired most of it up, including my power and ground distributions. I then slide it in through the front anchor storage (triangle area) and it is through bolted from above, under the largest of the 3 cusions. Kind of a pain to get to, but they are high and dry and out of the way. And really, once tuned, Ive only had to get to them once in 3 years.

[Rock_Toy]

I mounted my 2 new PDX amps behind the kick panel and then secured the kickpanel to the boat with hinges for easy access. These amps are super small and take less power than conventional amps. You should seriously look into them as an option.