Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifiers.

Have a cool car stereo? Post your install pictures here! No PG? No problem! Competition grade or sub-in-box setups: ALL are welcome!
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aifresno
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Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:14 am

Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifiers.

Post by aifresno »

Headunit:
Mac Mini, digital out
17" touchscreen in dash.


Amplification:
(4) Phoenix Gold Elite.1 ( 4,500w x 1 @ 1ohm ) (Subs, 1 amp for each Fi SP4)
(2) Phoenix Gold Elite.4 ( 150w x 4 @ 4ohm )


Sound Processing:
(1) Audison BitOne, digital in


Front/Rear stage:
(8) Phoenix Gold Elite 6.5 component sets in-cab.


Subwoofers:
(4) 15" Fi SP4 w/cooling, spaced spider


Enclosure:
11.0cu^ft after displacement. 6th order, tuned @ 36.0Hz.


Interconnects:
Stinger & custom made RCA's by us.


Wiring:
(4) runs of 4/0 from alts to batteries for power
(2) runs of 4/0 from alt bracket to batteries for ground
(4) 2/0 frame grounds in rear
(4) 2/0 frame grounds in front


Charging:
(8) Shuriken BT-120 battiers (960 aH total)
(4) DC Power 320amp Alternators, powdercoated charcoal
MechMan Adjustable Voltage Boost Module set @ 14.9v
CUstom Toolmaker Buss bars for batteries
CUstom Toolmaker 4/0 fuse block
Custom Toolmaker 4/0 to 1/0 reducers for the amplifiers


Misc.
150+ Sq^ft of Stingers Roadkill Expert Series sound deading material



This build was a team effort. I'd like to thank the entire AI crew for all their dedication.

Technicians responsible for the build.

Ryan, enclosure & overall design of build.
Shawn, enclosure fabrication.
David, TV in dash
David, wire tuck in engine
Matt/James/Ryan/Ray, upholstery.
Matt/James/Ryan, amp rack fab
Matt/James/Ryan, wiring.
Matt/James, mids/highs.
Matt, battery rack





Well, it all started here. April 2003. Yes, this build log is over 10 years long...
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The first deck, a Clarion 845 w/Audio Control Three.1
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Enclosure build. The details in this enclosure was to ensure a long life. All the panels were designed to be removed over and over just in-case of sub failure.
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It was easier to build the enclosure with the bed off the truck.
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We cut the bed with a plasma to make room for the new air pump/tank setup.
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Start of the front panel in the interior
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Here is a brace we made for the window that didn't make it into the final build. We dubbed it the whale penis.
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panel made for the LED lights
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We welded 1x1" square tubing around the cut to strengthen the back wall.
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By now you can really see the enclosure taking form.
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our original 13.3" LCD in the dash.
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We wanted to clean up the engine bay. So we did a little wire tuck. relocated the fuse block and ecu into the cab.
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Dash out. Here you can see the ECU and block no inside.
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Engine bay before.
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Engine bay after.
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One of the first amp racks we put in here. (4) Alpine MRP-2000 amplifiers
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Enclosure shot from the same day as the Alpine amplifiers.
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This amp setup was interesting. We ended up throwing 7 batteries, 8 Massive DB8000 amplifier and 4 Ascendant Audio Mayhem woofers into the truck. Sure, it was a mess, but damn loud.
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We took the back plate off the amplifiers and made them out of 1/4" MDF while adding a 100mm fan to each amplifier forcing cool are across the boards.
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We decided to try an wiring these amplifier down to .17 each. We had two amplifiers for each woofer. So, a minimum of 8,000rms to each woofer. We tested one woofer only and as you can see from the screen, 153.4@38Hz with only one woofer. Yes, a 153.4@38HZ!!!! But, it didn't work.:(
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the woofer did not like 8k rms @ 38hz. It launched the cone into the front seat.
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We had to wire the a amplifiers up and replace that cone. We clamped roughly 4,000rms per woofer. This was more manageable for our 2,500rms woofers.
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I'm sure you all what to know what it did on the meter at this point?

This is a term-lab score in the MECA legal headrest position @ 30hz.
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This is a term-lab score in the MECA legal headrest position @ 38hz. 158.0 was a huge number for our truck. We didn't think it would do such a number off 16,000rms. But it did.
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So, new woofers? Why? Because the Mayhem's couldn't take the 4k rms on a daily basis. We had two woofers catch fire after long demo's. So we replaced the woofer with some old RE SX 15's we had in the back room. Since we just got out Elite amplifiers in, we thought it would be a perfect match off the 6,400rms that the Elite.1's are rated at.
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This was a Glorious day. We were extremely excited to have these amplifiers in our possession.
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Started building the amp rack design that we're currently using. This is housing the two Elite.1's and Elite.4's. We never planned on adding more power than this. So we finalized the amp rack.
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So, what did it do off one single Elite.1 and (4) SX 15's?

153.7 @ 34Hz at the Headrest (MECA)
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152.1 @ 30Hz at the Headrest (MECA)
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150.1 @ 25Hz at the Headrest (MECA)
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We tidied up the wiring under the Elite amp rack, since this was going to be our FINAL build in this truck.
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Here is the final amp covering.
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What's this? New woofers again? Yup! The SX's didn't like both Elite.1's. They all burned... all of them. :(
So after finding out these Elite amplifiers put out close to 6,000watts, clipped. We had to get a woofer that could handle 3,000 on a daily basis? So we picked Fi SP4's. We love the large 10" spaced spiders and 4" coils.
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So, how loud is it on the two Elite.1's and (4) SP4's?

156.8@38Hz at the headrest (MECA)
Sure, we're down from 158 with the 8 massives and mayhem woofers. But I'm confident we could play it all day long.
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Some clamp results of the Elite.1's. 4,300rms unclipped @ 1.15ohm @ only 10.6v :0
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here we started changing the interior from Tan to Dark Grey. We installed black carpet and charcoal suede on the headliner.
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Started wrapping interior panels.
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Center Console is in and getting wrapped.
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The dash was a challenge, but went well.
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Here are a couple pictures of our truck at a recent show. This truck draws a huge crowd.
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The expression on this girl tells it all.
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Our newest build for 2013... wait? A new build? I know, I said the above build was our "final" build. But it only lasted about 10 months until we wanted more.

Here is the 4/0 wire we bought in comparison to Stingers HPM 1/0, 4ga, and 8ga.
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Here are the 4 Alts and the six runs of 4/0 wire. Our goal was to keep the wiring as tucked and cleanly ran as possible. All the wire is wrapped in Techflex and then heat shrinked.
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Toolmaker 4/0 - 1/0 reducers for our Elite.1's
We noticed the Elite's are power hungry. Pulling close to 460A of current. From what we all know, 1/0 won't carry 450A of current efficiently. So we decided 4/0 was in-order.

Of course we need a fuse block that can house 4/0. Thanks again to Toolmaker for this work of art.

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So, we start again. The easiest way to start a new amp rack and build is start with a clean slate.
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While we were cleaning up the wiring. We completely rewired the air bag wiring in techflex and heatshrink.
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Battery Rack all welded up.
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Buss bars installed.
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Found a nice spot for the fuse block.
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6 Elite Amplifiers. :o
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new amp rack base.
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The most recent amp rack. Notice the fans? We have to keep the Elites cool under long demos.
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Wiring up the four Elite.1's on the top amp rack. All the wiring techflexed and shrinked.
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July 4th I was at my brothers pool party thinking about our newest build. The only thing I didn't like about it was the amp base. When we made it last year, it was functional. But not built to our standards. So I drew what I would like to build when we get back to the shop.
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Out with the old. I knew we could stream line this base. But I wanted to make the push/pull cooling system more efficient.
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started with two pieces of 3/4" MDF.
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Laying out the cut lines.
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cutting.
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Notice the relief for the air flow?
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Bottom board with the Fans. We rounded over the wood for better flow.
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Here is the relief channel for the air flow.
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Fans all wired up and wires wrapped in techflex.
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New amp rack wrapped in vinyl.
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Custom made RCA's
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We re-wrapped the top amp cover in Vinyl. Please just say no to suede.
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The 4 elites on the top amp rack. We added LED on the underside so you could see the work under the amps.
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This is one of my favorite parts of this current build. We use Speakon connectors for all our signal, remote, bass know, remote voltage, fan power/ground, etc. When we need to take the amp rack off, it's very modular. Just unplug the speakons, remove power/ground and it's off.
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mmm, 4/0! Lots of it.
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Underneath the top amp rack.
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THAT'S WHERE THAT ALLEN WRENCH WENT!
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Subwoofer speaker wire. All Stinger 8ga.
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4/0 reducers made by Toolmaker.
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Remote, RMD, and Bass Knob wiring behind the amps.
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Our custom made RCA's.
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Here you can see the Allen Bolts at the back of the amp rack. This is where we terminate the sub wires. Either wired down to .17ohm per amp or wired up @ .70ohm per amp.
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here we start the Elite.4 install on the rear.
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wrapped.
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Here we sit today. I'll keep this thread updated.
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The truck plugged in keeping the batteries @ 13.0v with a 100a power supply.
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This is where all the Magic happens. Our install bay. Our fabrication room is to the right.
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Ryan Autry, on 05 Aug 2013 - 11:02 AM, said:

We did some early testing on our truck after the amplifiers were set with the DD1 and scope.
Unfortunately we had to wire them up to 1.4 strapped. So each amplifier is seeing .7ohm nominal. They're rising up to 1.8ohms each @ 39Hz. So we're only seeing 5,149w @ 3.6ohms per pair. With that said, it's roughly 10,300 unclipped. Now, 10,300 is better than the 9,000 we were seeing before with only the two Elite's. So we're happy to see that. But disappointed we were not able to see the 18,000 we were expecting. We tried to wire the Elites down to .175 each but the amplifiers did not like it. They were only rising to .5ohm per amp. These amplifiers are 1ohm stable, not .5

Clamp Results for a pair of the strapped Elite1's.
A/C Volt: 135.5 (TPI 440 True RMS Scope)
A/C Amp: 38.0 (TPI 183a True RMS DMM w/A296 clamp)
DC Volt: 11.5 (TPI 183a True RMS DMM)
DC Amp: 313.5 (per amplifier) (TPI 183a True RMS DMM w/A296 clamp)
Unclipped power: 5,149.00
OHM: 3.57
Term-Lab score on the 158.4

We also tested it at the headrest with a 157.0 at the legal MECA position. I think we'll try MOD 3 or 4 fusing soon!


Here are some video's for you viewing pleasure.

Here we play with the Term-Lab on Music.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVdKO_sjATc[/youtube]

Term-Lab on a 39Hz burp. (On the glass, opened)
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBvKr3rlNyQ[/youtube]
Last edited by aifresno on Thu Sep 26, 2013 4:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by ttocs »

very nice thanks for sharing!
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
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AVICJR
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by AVICJR »

Great work!
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stipud
Voltage Ohms
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by stipud »

Hooooly shit! That is pretty legit ;)
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MW3
Morgan @ PG
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by MW3 »

Fantastic work. Love the power terminals.
Morgan West
Phoenix Gold Product Manager
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paulmichelsen
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by paulmichelsen »

Took me two days to get through the post, awesome work!
aifresno
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Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:14 am

Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by aifresno »

paulmichelsen wrote:Took me two days to get through the post, awesome work!
Thank you.

I hope I explained the entire build so it was easy to understand?
dbjury
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by dbjury »

I have just looked for first time at pics. Love the fan setup. Didn't know that was under there.
BMW 2006 530D E60
(yet to fit) Alpine 9887 CD/Ipod/Reciever: Boston Acoustics ZX6: Boston Acoustics SPG-555: Phoenix Gold ELITE .5
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onecrazy95civic
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by onecrazy95civic »

This install has by far some of the nicest wiring layout I've ever seen!!! And I though I was crazy with mine!!!
PHOENIX GOLD
1.Reactor x3 #109, #407 & #496
2.Ti EQ30 x2
3.TiBasscube
4.TiDD10
5.TiPowercore 20
6.TLD66
7.Ti15 DVC x2
8.Ti5 Elite x4
9.Ti9 Elite
10.R-Link boxes x6 w/digital guages x12
11. Ti Distribution blocks (Power x4 & Ground x1)
ALPINE
1.TME-M750a x5
2.TMX-R1000 x3
OTHERS
1. IPAD 2
2. 32" LED Screen
3. PS3
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zztunnell
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by zztunnell »

Every time I see the pic of inside the sub box and see that design with the 2 triangles I cant help but think "Thieves Guild" lolol
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Stryker
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by Stryker »

WOW!!! For me this is easily the most detailed, and impressive install from top to bottom that I've seen on this forum and there have been a select few.


Thk you for putting it in our space and sharing your work. Very easy to look through, understand, and digest what the truck has had done to it.
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
screw car audio, I'd rather go fast....errr, wait a minute.
PureDynamics
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by PureDynamics »

Great work, love the detailed post showing all the hard work.
stuartyp
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by stuartyp »

That is fantastic i am speechless :salut:
Alpine F#1 headunit
Alpine F#1 processor
Alpine F#1 screen
Morel supremos
Morel cdm 88 mids
Phoenix gold ti 9s
Phoenix gold ti 900.7
Phoenix gold ti 1000.2
aifresno
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by aifresno »

We did some early testing on our truck after the amplifiers were set with the DD1 and scope.
Unfortunately we had to wire them up to 1.4 strapped. So each amplifier is seeing .7ohm nominal. They're rising up to 1.8ohms each @ 39Hz. So we're only seeing 5,149w @ 3.6ohms per pair. With that said, it's roughly 10,300 unclipped. Now, 10,300 is better than the 9,000 we were seeing before with only the two Elite's. So we're happy to see that. But disappointed we were not able to see the 18,000 we were expecting. We tried to wire the Elites down to .175 each but the amplifiers did not like it. They were only rising to .5ohm per amp. These amplifiers are 1ohm stable, not .5


Clamp Results for a pair of the strapped Elite1's wired @ 1.4ohm strapped, so .7ohm each before rise.
A/C Volt: 135.5 (TPI 440 True RMS Scope)
A/C Amp: 38.0 (TPI 183a True RMS DMM w/A296 clamp)
DC Volt: 11.5 (TPI 183a True RMS DMM)
DC Amp: 313.5 (per amplifier) (TPI 183a True RMS DMM w/A296 clamp)
FINAL OHM READING @ 39Hz: 3.57
Unclipped power: 5,149.00
Term-Lab score on the 158.4

Image

We also tested it at the headrest with a 157.0 at the legal MECA position. I think we'll try MOD 3 or 4 fusing soon!


Here are some video's for you viewing pleasure.

Here we play with the Term-Lab on Music.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVdKO_sjATc[/youtube]


Term-Lab on a 39Hz burp. (On the glass, opened)
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBvKr3rlNyQ[/youtube]
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Drock
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by Drock »

Nice work. I've been dreaming of a build like this for 20 years. I love the wiring, every cable is perfect. The wire covering and custom ends are amazing. I didn't even know you could get 4/0 cable. The blow through is something I want to do, but to chicken shit to follow through with it.
Those alts are bad ass, and look just as clean as every other detail in this build.
The pic with the truck charging in the shop is my favorite. That is one sexy looking truck.
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freshkryp69
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by freshkryp69 »

what is MOD 3 or 4 fusing?
Square 1
aifresno
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by aifresno »

freshkryp69 wrote:what is MOD 3 or 4 fusing?
MECA is the Mobile Electronics Competition Association that does SPL and SQ across the US.

Mod 3 and 4 are classes I could compete in if the fusing would hold. In these classes we have to put fuses inline within 18" from the amplifiers.
In Mod 3 we have a total of 229A worth of fusing. We can use up to 3 fuses in this class.
In Mod 4 we have a total of 329A worth of fusing. We can use up to 4 fuses in this class.

Currently we compete in the Mod 2 class with only (1) Elite.1 and a single 125A fuse before it. We do 152.9 at the headrest.
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by ttocs »

damn looks good as usual. Out of curiosity did you test the fans too see if that is enough space between them and the amps to push/pull the air? I did a similar system years ago and found if I didn't have at least 1-2" space in front of the fan it would not work. In testing I would turn it on and then move the piece of wood close to it until you could hear it start to speed up a big from the lack of air moving.
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
aifresno
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by aifresno »

ttocs wrote:damn looks good as usual. Out of curiosity did you test the fans too see if that is enough space between them and the amps to push/pull the air? I did a similar system years ago and found if I didn't have at least 1-2" space in front of the fan it would not work. In testing I would turn it on and then move the piece of wood close to it until you could hear it start to speed up a big from the lack of air moving.
Yes, we did do some testing before. There is a "shit ton" of air being passed through that channel.
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freshkryp69
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by freshkryp69 »

I love this truck! Killer... The only thing I would change is how all those beautiful amplifiers are displayed.. They need to be shown, French'd in. Change the array.. I know there not loots of room but that battery bank could be a lot different/smaller.. make room for the amp's.. Some kind of motorized rack would be wicked 8)
Square 1
aifresno
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by aifresno »

A lot of the amp is shown, the battery bank cannot be smaller for what this is used for, and at times I think all of us wish it was even bigger
Drboomvw
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by Drboomvw »

What version of the tech flex did you use they have a wide variety of flex covers
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Drock
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by Drock »

Yes, I want go get a pile of it as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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captainobvious
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

Post by captainobvious »

Looks like the standard black expandable sleeving. Check out ebay seller id: furryletters. I get all of mine from him, great product and price.
aifresno
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Re: Audio Innovations PG build. (4) 15's, (6) Elite amplifie

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