Upgrading JBL system, need advice on amp + Any recommendations for installers in PHX area?

You should be fine. My system is rated at about 2x the power of yours and although I don't normally listen to it at ear-damaging volume, I have played it that loud with no ill effects (to the car at least).

Whatever you do, don't bring a power wire from the engine compartment. The battery is eonveniently right there in back, just waiting for you to attach a power tap.

 

Don't even bother mentioning it. For the size you're talking about (400W RMS, 800 Max) you don't need to worry about a thing. Just hook it up to the battery and you'll be good to go (after, of course, running the other wires and splicing into the lines from the JBL amp, etc). Whoever you have do it, be very involved in the process, if possible. Make sure that they know to tap the 12V battery in the back of the car (located underneath the passenger side cubby, pretty much where the red power wire is going in the above picture) and you'll be fine. It's also really nice (speaking from experience here) to have a board like the one above to mount the amp on... it's then really easy to remove if you really need the extra space for something.

 

I can't remember off hand what the limit is...

Basically, there's a DC-DC converter that sits between the HV batteries and the 12V system, taking the place of the alternator in a traditional vehicle. It steps down the voltage, but is fused, so you'll blow the fuse before the converter. Of course, you don't want to blow a fuse, either, cause then you've got to replace it. Try searching the forum, i know the amount had been posted on here before.

 

The inverter to 12volt connection has a 120 amp fuse. So, an educated guess would be no more than 120 amps, maybe 100 amps factoring the 12 volt power to the rest of the vehicle accessories. Unless you want to a "blow-up the world" sound system. You shouldn't have to worry at all.

 

I think as long as you keep it under about 1000 watts total things should be ok. Since ratings are so varied though, just add up the amp rating of the fuse(s). Keep that under 100 and no problems should arise. In order for the amps to actally use their full rating, you would have to have the music at ear-bleeding levels. Well, that or a short circuit, but that's what all those fuses are for, aren't they.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Austin @ Sep 22 2006, 08:28 PM) [snapback]323673[/snapback]</div>

Finding a good shop is tough. I decided to my own installation, as I used to do this for fun, and it's beena while.

If you are concerned about loosing features, check my Stereo Mod thread. I'm building a system that gets great sound without loosing a single feature.

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=24633&hl=