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Audio amp when you’ve only got a 30 or 38 amp generator?
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RocketA
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 30, 2020 2:53 pm    Post subject: Audio amp when you’ve only got a 30 or 38 amp generator? Reply with quote

My buddy and I don’t know much about sound systems but like my title says, I’ve got a stock 30 amp generator and he’s got 38 amps in his bus.

We’re both looking to juice up the sound systems a bit. I’ve got a Retrosound radio, he’s got some other modern looking thing.

When you’re shopping for an amp what kind of wattage and power do you look for when you’ve only got 30 or 38 amps to spare system wide?

The sound system world doesn’t really talk about classic cars and low amp generators much!
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mukluk
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 30, 2020 3:42 pm    Post subject: Re: Audio amp when you’ve only got a 30 or 38 amp generator? Reply with quote

You're better off in the long run focusing on improving the vehicle's sound insulation and stereo output quality. Hearing loss sucks.
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Lingwendil
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 30, 2020 7:21 pm    Post subject: Re: Audio amp when you’ve only got a 30 or 38 amp generator? Reply with quote

I would focus on class D "all digital" amplifiers as they are the most efficient available, although a typical car stereo of the 4x50W mosfet output is plenty powerful and won't be too much for the original generator. Look at more efficient speakers from real name brands to make the most out of your available power. All of them will be rated in db, something like 88db per watt, 91db per watt, etc. Higher DB/watt number means better efficiency.

I had a 12 volt generator on my 61 Baja, and never had issues running a pioneer 8700BT 4x50w stereo, even at night with headlights on and music fairly loud to drown out the road noise on the freeway.

What car is this for? What are your plans for speakers and mounting them? That will make a big difference in what will be best for you. It also depends on your budget, and how you plan to put sound in. Running just an amplifier versus a stereo, etc. Sound deadener and insulation makes a difference too, but it's easy to hit diminishing returns quickly there.
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RocketA
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2020 4:38 pm    Post subject: Re: Audio amp when you’ve only got a 30 or 38 amp generator? Reply with quote

Lingwendil wrote:
I would focus on class D "all digital" amplifiers as they are the most efficient available, although a typical car stereo of the 4x50W mosfet output is plenty powerful and won't be too much for the original generator. Look at more efficient speakers from real name brands to make the most out of your available power. All of them will be rated in db, something like 88db per watt, 91db per watt, etc. Higher DB/watt number means better efficiency.

I had a 12 volt generator on my 61 Baja, and never had issues running a pioneer 8700BT 4x50w stereo, even at night with headlights on and music fairly loud to drown out the road noise on the freeway.

What car is this for? What are your plans for speakers and mounting them? That will make a big difference in what will be best for you. It also depends on your budget, and how you plan to put sound in. Running just an amplifier versus a stereo, etc. Sound deadener and insulation makes a difference too, but it's easy to hit diminishing returns quickly there.


Thanks for your input!!

This is for a 71 bus. I still don’t have the 38 amp generator only the 30 but I want to get the bigger one.

I have a RetroSound radio for a “head unit”. It only puts out 25W per channel so it’s not too strong on its own.

I have a center speaker in the dash of the bus, a dual cone one. I was going to put a pair in the kick panels because I don’t want to mess up my door cards. I might put one speaker in the back of the bus and then maybe a small sub.

I’ll look for an amplifier that’s not too crazy. I don’t want to make my hearing any worse than it already is!
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busdaddy
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2020 4:48 pm    Post subject: Re: Audio amp when you’ve only got a 30 or 38 amp generator? Reply with quote

You might be better off installing a second battery to run the system, it'll also be handy for camping or other activities when parked, and if you choose a good isolator system (blue sea for example) it'll spread out the recharging in a way that won't melt the generator down immediately.

In the long term you really want an alternator if you plan on using big wattage. Also make sure that voltage regulator that's in there now is for a 30A generator, if it's the original 38A unit it'll push your 30A generator to an early smoky death.

None of this will be cheap, but changing a generator on a bus is a big pain too, spend now or spend later. Wink
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marklaken
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2020 7:13 pm    Post subject: Re: Audio amp when you’ve only got a 30 or 38 amp generator? Reply with quote

Upgrade your speakers first, then see if your retrosound unit is having trouble powering them. Larger diameter and not "shallow" mount speakers are generally better sounding. It may be all you need.

Buses do tend to be large and are also noisy, so getting much sound to carry from the rear to the front is pretty hard. I'd concentrate on upgrading the front speakers (assuming you don't haul passengers).

I have a '67 bus, with an upgraded audio system and even with a beefed up 60 amp alternator, 5 channel amp, 10" subwoofer, four 6.5" component speakers, and a middle of the road head unit, it still doesn't sound all that amazing when driving since the interior noise is so high. It can really crank, but there is only so much sound my eardrums can manage before I just turn down the radio to power the front speakers and subwoofer.
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 22, 2020 5:33 am    Post subject: Re: Audio amp when you’ve only got a 30 or 38 amp generator? Reply with quote

Ill tend to agree with the above.
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My noise floor is 80db and even with 2 12” subs and 4 front and 4 rear speakers with all this amplification, I still have to crank it up to hear it properly.

BTW I have a 90 amp alternator as well as a huge capacitor so the lights don’t dim when the bass drum kicks.
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 7:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Audio amp when you’ve only got a 30 or 38 amp generator? Reply with quote

I ran 2000w total between three amps and 5.1 with (somewhat) generic Pioneer amps and an active crossover, modern deck. 1 500w for the two fronts, one 500w for the two rears and one 1000w for the 12" sub in back.

Never had battery or charging issues or headlight dimming with stock everything including VR.
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