please help with running power

[peanutcrusher]

can anyone help me with this.
I'm trying to work out the wattage I'm going to be running once i've installed all my ICE. so i know which charger to add to the system in order to keep it running with main hook up when on site. the main problem i've come across is i can't find out the wattage of all the kit I'm installing the main thing i can't seem to find out is how many watts i need for the amps, I'm guessing i don't count the output wattage or do i

[francophile1947]

Surely it's on the amps or the boxes somewhere - it's not the output watts.
When you find out the wattage for all the kit, divide the total by 12 and that'll give you the amps required.

[scanner]

Surely it's on the amps or the boxes somewhere - it's not the output watts.
When you find out the wattage for all the kit, divide the total by 12 and that'll give you the amps required.

Yes it's current consumption you want to know, not output wattage. Power consumption should be on the rating plate - that's the plate with the serial number on it.

It should say 12volts and then either ??amps or ??watts on there somewhere

[peanutcrusher]

nope i've looked all over the kit all it say is the voltage i've looked in the manual only states the voltage now i'm looking online to find out some answers

[g8dhe]

Can you detail the kit ? If its serious output power into woofers and the like you can expect some surprising figures, but most sites will list the current drawn for 12 volt gear as it rapidly becomes the limiting factor!

[peanutcrusher]

The amps and the 5.1 system is what is the problem the two amps i currently have are,
Hifonics, apollo series son of bolts amp 500w output
JL audio g4500, 500w 4 channel amp
Alpine h-510 5.1 surround sound processor

[g8dhe]

Well each of those two amplifiers could take 8-12 Amps average each ( manuals Hifonics & JL Audio) using 4Ω speakers in normal stereo (non-bridged) mode if the volume was turned up. However I would suggest that you might need to wild camp if doing that - I can't see you being allowed to stay long on a normal site at those power levels!!! If you actually run at high to normal listening levels in the van then you can could draw an average of around 8-10 Amps for the pair of them. The Processor is unlikely to take more than about 1 Amp. So I would suggest a load from those 3 devices of about 10 Amps if played loudly and I would estimate about 6 Amps if played at normal levels (to my mind that means you can't here it outside the van when standing about 1-2 metres away with the doors closed).

You will need to allow for lighting in the Van as well so probably another 1 amp will go that way, making about 7 amps whilst playing music.

If you have any LCD TV like displays then allow another 1 Amp each.

By the way the Hifonics alone can draw up to 55Amps peak so your 12 volt wiring to the amplifiers will need to be short and very hefty.

[stilldesperate]

If you're running that kind of power, and you can get mains hookup, I think you'd be better using mains amps.

How about:

A smaller 12v amp for when driving / wild camping

A larger mains amp for when hooked up.

There are less losses (It's more efficient) running at higher voltages/lower currents.

SD

PS

As G8dhe mentioned - can you let us know which sites you'll be using the amps at, so we can avoid them!

[scanner]

If you're running that kind of power, and you can get mains hookup, I think you'd be better using mains amps.

How about:

A smaller 12v amp for when driving / wild camping

A larger mains amp for when hooked up.

There are less losses (It's more efficient) running at higher voltages/lower currents.

SD

PS

As G8dhe mentioned - can you let us know which sites you'll be using the amps at, so we can avoid them!

Just which counties they are in will do.......................