Best AMPS

hi all,
I am just trying to find out what kind of amps everyone is running. I have to mount it in the engine compartment so I am trying to find the best amps for heat resistance. Thanks for any advise.

hi all,
I am just trying to find out what kind of amps everyone is running. I have to mount it in the engine compartment so I am trying to find the best amps for heat resistance. Thanks for any advise.
I run Performance Teknique in 100+ temps here and I am not nice to them. I have yet to have them cut out or shut off on me.

Haven't had mine all through the summer yet, but it's a fairly cheap Hifonics Zeus amp. Dollar for power is good though. Works great so far. 170w x 4 @ 2 ohm for $190 delivered.

I run Performance Teknique in 100+ temps here and I am not nice to them. I have yet to have them cut out or shut off on me.
Thanks I see you live in AZ. I live in prescott and usually end up in humbug on the weekends. I had a PPI pc4100 go up in smoke last sunday. What lake do you go to?

hi all,
I am just trying to find out what kind of amps everyone is running. I have to mount it in the engine compartment so I am trying to find the best amps for heat resistance. Thanks for any advise.
alpine pdx amps are one of the top amps i have used

I am a big fan of audiobahn. I have a 600w in my engine compartment and has been there for about 3-4 trouble free years. Also have ran thier 900w in the past in my old trucks with good luck.

Thanks I see you live in AZ. I live in prescott and usually end up in humbug on the weekends. I had a PPI pc4100 go up in smoke last sunday. What lake do you go to?
We go to pleasant every weekend. We will be there tommorow.

We go to pleasant every weekend. We will be there tommorow.
Cool not too sure if we are going this weekend due to a vacation coming up in two weeks and need to save some money. We just bought a new boat in OCT. and have been having a great time hanging out in humbug. We have a 21' Bayliner not great but it works. Will have to hook up sometime maybe tomorrow if we decide to go but not sure. I will have to convince the wife LOL.:eek:

McIntosh
Why woud you put them in the engine compartment??
If you really have to put them there, then buy cheap amps, because you will be replacing them often ;)

I dont have any room for them besides the engine compartment.

I dont have any room for them besides the engine compartment.
I haven't had any problems in almost 3 years with mine...do what you have to do:D

Apline PDX and JL for the subs. The Aplines are the bomb, small and clean output. :D

Xtant 604 going on 4 years.

Alpine PDX amps are great for boats. They are 85% efficient which means cooler operating and less battery usage.
If you want high end that can handle abuse then go with the TRU technologies Billet series amps. They have no less than 3 fans built into the heatsink and have less than 1% defect ratio. Still built in the US also!!

i will run mmats amps when i get my new boat. ive used them in my truck for yrs,no prob. they dont get hot, they dont need a ventilation, and they are a class d amp. these amps are VERY underrated in power.

3 Zapcos in the engine compartment and 8 more tucked away in the cockpit and never had any problems with a one of them. The boat is exposed to cold and hot temperatures all year as it stays under a covered boat dock on a lift. Image Dynamics speakers have taken the most abuse.....many of them getting wet and still thumping.

3 Zapcos in the engine compartment and 8 more tucked away in the cockpit and never had any problems with a one of them. The boat is exposed to cold and hot temperatures all year as it stays under a covered boat dock on a lift. Image Dynamics speakers have taken the most abuse.....many of them getting wet and still thumping.
You're running 11 amps? Lots of power, but doesn't sound like a real effecient design. I'd like to see more details, like how you power a system like that. Wow!!

McIntosh
Why woud you put them in the engine compartment??
If you really have to put them there, then buy cheap amps, because you will be replacing them often ;)
Agreed on the McIntosh. These amps are priced to be seen as well as heard.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...glow_large.jpg
Though I don't think Fidelity is as a major concern in most marine applications as SPL. I would go with a more cost effective alternative.
Alpine PDX seems to be a popular choice. However I am not sure of any amplifiers ability to withstand the harsh operating enviroment such as an Engine/Bilge area. There's alot of heat and moisture there, not something Most electronics are fond of.
With that said I believe most any mid end components Ie. Alpine , JL, Fosgate, Soundstream ( one of my favs) ect. should give satisfactory results. Stay away from the low end knock offs.
Good Luck.
C.T. :wink:

You're running 11 amps? Lots of power, but doesn't sound like a real effecient design. I'd like to see more details, like how you power a system like that. Wow!!
You used to be able to see the build on Image Dynamics website. I think they are reworking that section of the site though. We are powering 8 12's, 4 15's , 4 horns, 4 mid bass 8's , 6 mid bass 4's and 2 of Blaupunkts new Velocity series coaxial 6"inchers. Those are the odd guys out as everything else is Image Dynamics but they are the most powerful 6" speakers I could find. SOund Incredible. The system probably pushes 10,000 watts rms or there abouts as the Zapcos are rated generously. All of this fun stuff was powered by 2 Eagle Pitcher Horizon Big amp batteries. They turned out to be junk and for good reason.....you can't even buy them anymore. They were soposed to be latest and greatest. My new batteries are working AWSOME. NorthStar energy builds them and you can purchase them from Energy1.com I've got 2 and they will have that system thumping most of the day. I just plug the boat in at night and they are maintained. The batts are the slim design being all of 4" wide and look cool. Ohh they are a very dense AGM and have the best numbers out of any battery you will find. Believe me I've done my research. I will post some pics if the boat was taken of Dynamics website.

You used to be able to see the build on Image Dynamics website. I think they are reworking that section of the site though. We are powering 8 12's, 4 15's , 4 horns, 4 mid bass 8's , 6 mid bass 4's and 2 of Blaupunkts new Velocity series coaxial 6"inchers. Those are the odd guys out as everything else is Image Dynamics but they are the most powerful 6" speakers I could find. SOund Incredible. The system probably pushes 10,000 watts rms or there abouts as the Zapcos are rated generously. All of this fun stuff was powered by 2 Eagle Pitcher Horizon Big amp batteries. They turned out to be junk and for good reason.....you can't even buy them anymore. They were soposed to be latest and greatest. My new batteries are working AWSOME. NorthStar energy builds them and you can purchase them from Energy1.com I've got 2 and they will have that system thumping most of the day. I just plug the boat in at night and they are maintained. The batts are the slim design being all of 4" wide and look cool. Ohh they are a very dense AGM and have the best numbers out of any battery you will find. Believe me I've done my research. I will post some pics if the boat was taken of Dynamics website.
Wow...that system sounds like it kills..................................... fish! :)

Wow...that system sounds like it kills..................................... fish! :)
LOL:) it would probably Kill the Catfish at the bottom of the lake :eek: .
I looked at the alpine PDX line and they look pretty good. I have also been checking out MTX TA 7804 for mids,and TA7801 for sub. Anyone have any experience with the MTX's or are the Alpine's a better choice?

I dont have any room for them besides the engine compartment.
In the 10+ years I did audio and boat systems there was not a single boat where I was forced to put amps in the engine compartment. ;)

Agreed on the McIntosh. These amps are priced to be seen as well as heard.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/...glow_large.jpg
Though I don't think Fidelity is as a major concern in most marine applications as SPL. I would go with a more cost effective alternative.
Alpine PDX seems to be a popular choice. However I am not sure of any amplifiers ability to withstand the harsh operating enviroment such as an Engine/Bilge area. There's alot of heat and moisture there, not something Most electronics aren't fond of.
With that said I believe most any mid end components Ie. Alpine , JL, Fosgate, Soundstream ( one of my favs) ect. should give satisfactory results. Stay away from the low end knock offs.
Good Luck.
C.T. :wink:
He asked for the best ;)
I have seen MANY boats using the PDX amps with great success. I will be using the PDX amps in my upcoming truck system.

In the 10+ years I did audio and boat systems there was not a single boat where I was forced to put amps in the engine compartment. ;)
There is always room somewhere!

There is always room somewhere!
This is true but because of the subs and other speakers I am not willing to give up the only storage I have left. I have a 205 bayliner open bow and there is not much room for storage as is.

There is always room somewhere!
Yep.
If you're mounting the subs in a Ported, Bandpass, Slotted, enclosure then mount the amp inside it. The air moving in and out the enclosure will help keep it cool. Doesn't work so well with sealed enclosures.
C.T. :wink:

I am running two Orion HCCA's in my engine compartment, no problems. My engine compartment stays very cool, probably cooler then if I trapped them behind the interior with no air flow like alot of people do.

I am running two Orion HCCA's in my engine compartment, no problems. My engine compartment stays very cool, probably cooler then if I trapped them behind the interior with no air flow like alot of people do.
I was thinking the same thing. every time i open the engine compartment it is not very hot. I believe my amp was just too tired and took a crap. it was a 1992 model i think. I am probably going to pull the plug on the alpine PDX.

I am running two Orion HCCA's in my engine compartment, no problems. My engine compartment stays very cool, probably cooler then if I trapped them behind the interior with no air flow like alot of people do.
somebody is thinking (cooler then if I trapped them behind the interior with no air flow)
It is the biggest most vented area in most boats (after cockpit)
Dont get me wrong most times its a last resort(because of the stigma) to go there but done it many times.With no probs

This is true but because of the subs and other speakers I am not willing to give up the only storage I have left. I have a 205 bayliner open bow and there is not much room for storage as is.
What r u running for an engine? A six? That thing probably doesn't cause the engine compartment to get as hot so you might be alright.

It has a small block v8 but i think i will be ok with the alpine stackable amps due to their internal fans. Man i need a bigger boat :D

I've got a 175 searay and I'm fittin a kicker 5 channel anmd a 10 inch sub under the dashes....
not taking up any of my storage space, I'll post pics this week hopfully