How To Strap 2 Amplifiers (3 Simple Steps)
“Strapping amplifiers” is a familiar word to car audio enthusiasts as it helps enhance their listening experience to the next level. Why don’t you try it to enjoy your favorite music?
You can strap two separate amps, which are the exact same models and have a built-in strapping function. The task is also about working with the power output, making it more complicated.
If you don’t know where to start, we can help. This guide will show you how to strap 2 amplifiers in a car audio system correctly.
Let’s scroll down to discover!
How To Strap 2 Amps Together in 3 Steps?
To learn how to strap amplifiers, you should start by exploring the benefit of this process and how it works.
The main purpose of strapping often referred to as bridging, is to drive a voice coil with multiple amps. This system has two identical amplifiers, but they serve different tasks. They are:
- Primary amp (or master amp)
- Secondary amp (or slave amp)
When you strap identical amplifiers in a car audio system, you only tune the master because the slave will have the same settings as the master. In other words, once strapped, one amp’s preamp settings control two amplifiers.
Instead of using one bigger amp, using two smaller ones helps you swap out one of them if any problem occurs. You may have to replace your entire system when you only have one more powerful and costly amplifier.
If you want to improve your system, strapping can be beneficial. Simply get an additional amp and connect it if you use a single amplifier and wish to make it a bit bigger. You’ll gain the necessary power required for an upgrade.
Remember that when you strap amplifiers, you will get greater power output and increase their ability to handle low impedances. We will break the process of strapping two amplifiers in a car sound system into three steps. Take notes so you will get an ideal outcome.
Step 1: Gather the necessary tools
First, prepare two identical amplifiers. Not simply amps with similar specifications; they must be the same models. Moreover, they should be “trappable” as well.
To strap amplifiers, you also need some tools required for installing an amp in your automobile, such as:
- RCA cables
- Speaker wire
- Head unit
After gathering the tools, move to the main process of strapping your amplifiers.
Step 2: Set up the state of each amplifier
The first step when strapping amplifiers is connecting the head unit to the amp you’ll be using as the master.
Next, check the RCA connectors that link the two amps. You should look for RCA connectors with the labels “slave in,” “master out,” or a variation.
Some amps have an RCA connector for strapping that you can control by pressing the master/slave switch. Hence, the switch’s position will determine the RCA connector’s purpose.
Set the switch on the master amplifier (attached to the head unit’s RCAs) to “master.” The RCA connector can then function as an output connection.
Then, set the secondary amplifier’s switch to “slave.” As a result, the RCA connection will transform into an input connection. It’s now ready to receive a signal from your primary amplifier.
You can link one RCA patch cable between the two amps using the RCA connection made to join the amps once you have turned them to their correct designations.
Step 3: Run power wires
You can use the same installation process as wiring amplifiers at this stage. It involves running power cables to the two amplifiers. Here is how to do it:
- Start with the negative terminal on the master amp, and connect a jumper wire to the negative terminal on the slave amp.
- Connect the positive terminal on the master amp with the positive subwoofer lead.
- Insert the negative subwoofer lead in the slave amp’s positive terminal.
- Use a jumper wire to link the remote terminals from both amps together after attaching the remote wire to the master amp.
- Simply connect the ethernet cable to the connector on the master amp if you use one of the trappable AT Series amps.
- Attach the two amps to the power source or the car battery. It would be best to connect each amp to the battery separately so they can get enough power.
Now, you can start tuning the primary amplifier in your setup. It’s easier if you have a single amplifier. You won’t need to modify the settings on the secondary amplifier since they will be the same as the changes you have made on the primary amplifier.
FAQs
Instead of using one bigger amplifier, you can strap amplifiers when they are smaller. This method allows you to place the amps where a larger amp can’t fit. Strapping will make it simpler to swap out an amp when it malfunctions. Additionally, replacing and repairing a single amplifier is more cost-effective than doing it with a larger one.
A power distribution block is the most effective way to connect multiple amps to one power connection in your car’s audio system. The block makes it easy for you to use a cable for different components. It helps you run the wire to the critical section that goes through the firewall. You can also use shorter cables to link to an amplifier then.
Yes. This process involves connecting multiple amplifiers to one audio source. It helps extend the audio signal to all amps you join in the chain.
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