HackAbuse

Ok, I'm looking into getting a new amp for my car, now I need something with significantly more power than what I have (Underpowering Current subs). Unfortunately, I have no room in the trunk for anything larger than what I currently have.

What does everyone think about putting an amp on the rear deck? I know it will probably scream "steal me" but I literally have no room left anywhere else.

I took some pictures with a small amp with similar dimensions.

The amp I want to get is an MA Audio HK802SX, its 2.7" x 12.4" x 27.3"


The amp I used in the mock-up is roughly 8" x 12" x 3", so basically the 802SX is 3.5x longer.


Here the amp is sitting on the rear deck, the 802SX would span from the left child-restraint to the right child restraint (because of this, I could use them to bolt down the amp)

Here are a couple of more pictures from the outside (sorry, the glare sucked)



With the amp up there, I would simply run the wires down to the seat and into the trunk.

What does everyone think?

MAJIN

I say by putting it up there, you are advertising to everyone that looks into your car. It screams TAKE ME! I would not lkeave shtie out like that because it causes attention.

HackAbuse

True, but the more I think about it, the more I realize I really don't have any other way.

The best I can do is tint the window as best I can (~10%), and secure it down as best I can.

RedEcotecSS

bad idea.
1) Someone will be tempted to steal it.
2) it will get directly BAKED by the sun. Don't know if excess heat will hurt it or not, but it can't be good for it.

HackAbuse

Read post #3

MAJIN

You can't do a custom mount in the trunk..?? Even if you want it highly accessable I would still utilize the trunk,

tsunam1

Hang it underneath.

RedEcotecSS

I mounted mine to the back of my back seats. That way, when you wanna show it off, just lay the seats down. This makes your subs sound louder also. When you park somewhere in public, you can just fold the seats back up and noone will ever know.

tsunam1

only problem with mounting on the back of the seat is if you play while the seat is up, you do not get proper air flow inside the amp. Small amp maybe ok, larger one will over heat and start clipping or fault protect and cut off.



hope thats bigger

fr33k

Most of the newer high powered amps have built in fans. It shouldn't hurt them by mounting them sideways or upsidedown.

tsunam1

You can try it, personal experience I wouldn't recommend it for long term, could shorten the lifespan, or make it work harder than it has to. Amplifiers are designed to sit at no more than a 15 to 20 degree angle. It makes maximum use of the heatsink (top), if it has built in fans, it is because the amp puts off sufficient heat that the heatsink alone is not sufficient to cool it. Look in the manual that came with the amplifier and it will give you the maximum mounting angle.

FuriouS

it will get stolen.

I was going to suggest the same as that pic ^^ you can save some room and just bolt the amp up there without the board.

jschatte

mounting an amp upside down is a big no-no with any kind of amp

tsunam1

Neon, capacitor, & power distribution is mounted to it, so thats why I used the board. It has a vertical piece too, which I removed for the pic, so you could get an idea of how it is suspended. Two all-thread rods in front (covered in shrink tube) and nylon straps in the back, so I can unscrew the rods and swing it down to work on it, or swap amps, etc.

halfj99

you know putting it there is a bad idea, so do what you want...you seem pretty set on mounting it there to make sure whoever wants it can access is easly..so have fun

justin04

are you mounting it against the lid? it needs to have space below it let the heat disipate.

HackAbuse

Okay the reason I want to mount this thing on the deck is because the trunk is full!

I have four 12's and 8 cubic feet of boxes, this is NOT a small amp, people.

The boxes take up almost every square inch of the trunk, I can BARELY fit the current 14" x 8" x 2" amp thats already back there, and it overheats like a BITCH and kicks into thermal protection after 15 minutes.

Mounting it anywhere near the trunk is a no-no, I need somewhere to mount it inside the cabin where it will get sufficient cooling.

Does anyone have a better idea?

hoosierguy4life

why would you want to sit it right on the left speaker. you would loose sound quality out of the speaker. i would personaly go with mounting it to the seat for easy access

HackAbuse

I checked the mounting of the speaker and it only covers a small portion of it, and doesn't interfere with the tweeter at all.

Again, there is no space behind the seat

tricky1

Maybe mount it under the passenger or driver seats and run the wire under the carpet?(Depending on power/ground gauge)

HackAbuse

haha, dude, this amp is over two feet long, unless I fold it in two, it's not going to fit under any of the seats.

Bumpin Balt

Here's a better idea... Take out 2 of your subs so you don't go entirely deaf! I know your into spl, so you could put 2 in the back seat for competitions and only run 2 subs the rest of the time. 2 12's should be more than enough for listening to tunes while cruising! Oh, and as a bonus for removing 2 of your subs (aside from having room for an amp!), you will be able to hear more midrange because they won't be canceled out by excessive bass, lol!

HackAbuse

hahaha, i'm actually going to be upgrading to two Ported 15" Kicker L7's soon.

7 cubic feet ported and tuned to 33hz, baby!

Bumpin Balt

I think you need a straight jacket! Don't forget to add about 200 sq. ft. of sound damping, your going to need it! Layers of it!

Bandit2941

So why not wait until you do this to get your new amp, and take the big amp into consideration when you build the box(s) for the 15's ?

You seem to be pretty dead set on putting the amp on the rear deck judging by your replies to everyone who's answered your post. If you've already decided on it, why did you even bother making a thread?