K so I've ordered another Orion 1200d amplifier...

Currently, I'm running one 1200d to a one ohm load, an Orion H2 12.2 (DVC, 2 ohms each).

When I get the new amp, first thing I'll try is one amp per voice coil. That increases resistance to 2 ohms per amp, each amp is rated 1200 @ 1 or 725 @ 2, so I should see an improvement, be it ever so slight.

I'll also harass my builder to build me a 200amp alternator to bolt into the van - I have a 140 in stock at my shop, but I'm gonna need 200.

Then I'll wanna try bridging the two amps together, and hooking them up to the sub at 1 ohm, which'll give me about 2400 @ 1.

How do I bridge them together? My 1200d manual doesn't show it, I wrote Directed, they're ignoring me again

I assume I just run a good wire/cable from the + on one amp's speaker output to the - on the other, hook my load to the remaining post on each, switch the output RCA's to "master" on one and "copy" on the other, and set the controls for the heart of the sun?

Also, what is "strapping" amps together? Same as bridging but they're actually connected together with bars rather than wire/cable, or something else?

 

I wouldn't connect the two amp's speaker outputs together, unless it's in the manual to do so.

Likely just need one connection to each amp....probably the output that's NOT grounded.

I put a request on the DirectTechs website for ya....should get an answer soon there.

[ October 01, 2005, 08:26 AM: Message edited by: Starterwiz ]

 

Usually you connect the negative terminals together on each of the seperate amps, then the positive lead from the 1st amp goes to the postive lead of the VC, then the positive lead on the 2nd amp goes to the negative of the VC. At least that hows the Digital Designs amps go.

When bridging the amps together it usually raises the safe load impedence. You might put your amp pairs into protection pretty quickly.

Safest bet is to get a sub that is a DVC 1 ohm.

 

Extracted from page 12 of the install manual:

Bridging
For bridging into a single speaker load, the Orion 600D and 1200D have the ability to be bridged with another amplifier of the same model.
To do this you must utilize the COPY/GAIN/MASTER switch settings.
For the MASTER amplifier, set the switch setting to MASTER.
This will route the signal through RCA to the other (slave) amplifier.
Refer to Auxiliary Output Configuration section of this guide.
To set the PHASE switch on the (slave) amp, move the phase switch from 0 to 180, exactly opposite of the master amp.
Refer to the Phase Switches section of this guide.

On the (slave) amplifier be sure to turn off all crossovers.
For the speaker connections, connect the positive (+) speaker lead from the speaker to the positive (+) speaker terminal of the master amplifier. On the negative (-) speaker connection, take the negative (-) speaker terminal of the master amplifier and connect it directly to the negative (-) speaker terminal of the (slave) amplifier.
The remaining positive (+) speaker terminal of the (slave) amplifier must be connected to the negative (-)speaker lead from the speaker.
The impedance of the speaker must not be less than 2 ohms.

NOTE: For best results, connect both negative speaker terminals on the master amp to both negative terminals on the slave amp using at least 12 AWG cable.

 

*slaps self*

I was all "Oh it's not in my manual!" and grabbed it and checked page 12...

*sheepish grin* Yep, it's all in there, in black and white.

Thanks man, appreciate it!

Edit: Hey wait a minute wait a minute...

Who the heck designed that? They're one ohm stable amps... Currently, I have my 2 ohm DVC sub connected to ONE of these amps at one ohm... If I bridge them, I can't connect a one ohm load?

Ah geez... It'll still be better SQ with one amp for one each coil, but I was wanting to run them together at one ohm for competition burping...

Hmmm Maybe my amp tech will be able to alter something in them for me...

[ October 05, 2005, 04:27 PM: Message edited by: GrizZz ]

 

Use 1 ohm. I'll be fine.

X

 

Get a second sub Grizz....Ya know ya wanna! [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]