posted
Hey guys, ive been wanting to flush mount anywhere from 2 to 4 amps into my ceiling for some time now. I have a sunroof so that is a limiting factor space-wise.
Im pretty sure i can pull it off without much help/incident besides maybe someone spot weld some tabs to the ceiling to mount them on (thats what I'd need to do, right?)
And in order to flush-mount them I will need to build the ceiling downward with foam and reupholster the ceiling right? or possibly use fiberglass but that may get a little messy, im porbly going to use foam n such.
And also, with the amps upside down Im worried about heat being an issue (though i dont take very long trips or push my subs/speakers to the limit very often makin the amps hot)....and wondering about putting some fans hooked up to switches/the remote turn on leads of each amp to help with cooling.
So im just looking for some good sites/links to a tutorial that may help me along with this. And personal advice is also greatly appreciated. Ill be sure to have tons of pics of this one. Thanks in advance. Peace
-------------------- Creator-Ohio Bass Society
First and only dual-alternator 'real' Saturn (pre 2002) on the planet (2) 18" Omegas fed by a SoundStream XXX10000 12.75 cubes net @ 30.5Hz, 200 sq inches of port Replaced AC with 250 amp alt 225 amp alternator in stock location (custom bracket) (2) XS Power D3100's 4 power+4 ground 1/0-gauge runs Posts: 1280 | From: OH | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
Well, i know itll be a potential problem...but they wont be sub amps or anything...just 4-channel amps probably...and as i said, i dont crank it too bad and i dont take long trips over 20 minutes too often...so.......any more opinions..thanks
-------------------- Creator-Ohio Bass Society
First and only dual-alternator 'real' Saturn (pre 2002) on the planet (2) 18" Omegas fed by a SoundStream XXX10000 12.75 cubes net @ 30.5Hz, 200 sq inches of port Replaced AC with 250 amp alt 225 amp alternator in stock location (custom bracket) (2) XS Power D3100's 4 power+4 ground 1/0-gauge runs Posts: 1280 | From: OH | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
Heat is what causes electronic components to fail and will reduce the life of said components. Heat rises. If an amp is mounted upside down, the heat stays pooled around the electronics and does not get dissapated by the heat sink. The only way this can be avoided would be if the amps have internal fan cooling.
Hottest place in a vehicle is the roof.
Those heat sinks couldn't dissapate heat on a cold day in Ohio.
posted
Hmmm, even with 2 fans per amp u guys think itll actually be to the point id be harming them?
-------------------- Creator-Ohio Bass Society
First and only dual-alternator 'real' Saturn (pre 2002) on the planet (2) 18" Omegas fed by a SoundStream XXX10000 12.75 cubes net @ 30.5Hz, 200 sq inches of port Replaced AC with 250 amp alt 225 amp alternator in stock location (custom bracket) (2) XS Power D3100's 4 power+4 ground 1/0-gauge runs Posts: 1280 | From: OH | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
Why mount amps to the ceiling and go through the trouble when you can just install them elsewhere? But since you seem spirited...
Fans blowing on the amps is not gonna help as the heat will be trapped INSIDE the amp, you could bore two holes somewhere on the amp and mount two micro DC fans to each amps, one intake and one exhaust. Make sure the fans are installed where it'll circulate air efficiently like a typical PC fan cooling system.
...or you can just mount the amps in the trunk or under/behind the rear seats and not worry about it
-------------------- 98 Cadillac Deville
Premier TS-C504s Cadence SeAqua amps 12" Kicker L7
posted
Thanks. Good idea with the enter/exit fans....and mounting them elsewhere....thats boring and average, not going for that. But this install probably wont be for another 2 months or so, so i have time to ponder..
-------------------- Creator-Ohio Bass Society
First and only dual-alternator 'real' Saturn (pre 2002) on the planet (2) 18" Omegas fed by a SoundStream XXX10000 12.75 cubes net @ 30.5Hz, 200 sq inches of port Replaced AC with 250 amp alt 225 amp alternator in stock location (custom bracket) (2) XS Power D3100's 4 power+4 ground 1/0-gauge runs Posts: 1280 | From: OH | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
what if the amp had a inch or so spaced between the roof and the top of the amp and you put your enter/exit fans to move the air through that area? yes we're talking alot more space need. also i seen it before i'll try to find a pic.
-------------------- two 15" l7s us amps 2000 Posts: 323 | From: detroit | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
Yea, i was going to have space between the roof and the amp anyways with atleast one fan per amp to circulate air around um (i should have mentioned this before...my bad...its probably going to be about an inch or so).....and would this be enough?...or will I still need an enter-exit fan setup pulling/pushing air inside the amps?
-------------------- Creator-Ohio Bass Society
First and only dual-alternator 'real' Saturn (pre 2002) on the planet (2) 18" Omegas fed by a SoundStream XXX10000 12.75 cubes net @ 30.5Hz, 200 sq inches of port Replaced AC with 250 amp alt 225 amp alternator in stock location (custom bracket) (2) XS Power D3100's 4 power+4 ground 1/0-gauge runs Posts: 1280 | From: OH | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
usally(in a trunk or under a seat) that would be enough but like said above that is the hottest place in the car, so more fans the better, remember on a hot summer day your car can get like 150+ degrees so that space between the roof and amps could sore way above that.
-------------------- two 15" l7s us amps 2000 Posts: 323 | From: detroit | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
I really dont think that this is a good idea for ya. i mean think about it. what if you hit someone in the rear or git hit by another car. the amp breaks loose and hits you in the back of the neck. now u are dead just cause u wanted to do something different. this would be fine if in a show car that always got trailered but not in something you drive on the road.
-------------------- Had a 98 chevy s-10 with a single re 18" sub and two autotek mx-3000's running it but i lost that truck and now i have a 2002 volkswagen gti that im just starting to work on lets see how it goes
JVC Double Din dvd/cd player PDR1000.1 2 memphis mclass 12s kicker 350x4 memphis pr components two rear loading horns. Posts: 918 | From: jacksonville, nc | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Im going to have tabs spot-welded into the ceiling.....they are going to be mounted pretty solidly into the ceiling....and ill probably have an mdf cutout around it to hold it steady and will be attached to the drivers side and pasenger side pillar between the front and rear doors (and the topic of the thread is 'flush mounted'....it will be surrounded by stuff and flush with the ceiling....worst case scenario, it breaks loose and lands on the seat/floor)
-------------------- Creator-Ohio Bass Society
First and only dual-alternator 'real' Saturn (pre 2002) on the planet (2) 18" Omegas fed by a SoundStream XXX10000 12.75 cubes net @ 30.5Hz, 200 sq inches of port Replaced AC with 250 amp alt 225 amp alternator in stock location (custom bracket) (2) XS Power D3100's 4 power+4 ground 1/0-gauge runs Posts: 1280 | From: OH | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
gonna suck to be you when they break loose and decapitate someone
-------------------- Team Devastation MMA Machado Brazilian Jiujitsu
Once I lock it on there is no escape I dont train to make you tap, I train to tear your arm, leg, or head off. Its your job to tap before I can do that
A boxer is a Lion, the best predator on land.....Im a shark and the ground is my ocean...put the lion in the sea where it can't swim and it becomes just another meal
Pain is only weakness leaving the body, its kill or be killed and only the strong survive
"I just drove by" Posts: 21946 | From: 107 Hoover | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
one thing to think about. i am not sure about ohio, but here in the south the sun bearing down on that roof. it is going to be very hot in the roof compartment even without amps there. something to think about.
-------------------- ga loan & pawn 2419 a stuart ave. albany ga. 31707 phone # 229 432 1130 Posts: 559 | From: Albany, GA | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Most of the time I would assume you are listening while driving not sitting in the parking lot or driveway. If this is the case the heat may not be as much of an issue as some are suggesting. Opening your windows and sunroof should provide good air circulation.
Fans are always a plus and if you are using mdf you could build a tunnel with a acrylic or plexi cover for each amp with an intake fan at one end and an exhaust at the other to force the air to flow over the amp.
As far as safety concerns, some very good points were made. If you plan to do this make sure those welds are good and use some quality hardware to mount the amp and mdf.
posted
I'll be heavily supporting them, and i wont skimp at all...ill probably over do it for the most part and weld multiple tabs for each corner of the amp to be mounted to...I think itll be ok unless i get broad-sided by a train, which ofcourse in that case, it wont really matter where the amps r mounted....and for the heat coming through the ceiling...there will be enough space between the amp and the ceiling and enough air moving in there that I couldnt imagine it doing damage. Thanks for the replies, keep um comin
-------------------- Creator-Ohio Bass Society
First and only dual-alternator 'real' Saturn (pre 2002) on the planet (2) 18" Omegas fed by a SoundStream XXX10000 12.75 cubes net @ 30.5Hz, 200 sq inches of port Replaced AC with 250 amp alt 225 amp alternator in stock location (custom bracket) (2) XS Power D3100's 4 power+4 ground 1/0-gauge runs Posts: 1280 | From: OH | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
i would weld the heck out of them if those spot welds brake it aint gonna be pretty i would make the brackets bigger so that is spreads the load out on the ceiling i mean alot bigger you aint gonna see them anyway
Posts: 40 | From: saginaw,mi | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Yes, the welds will be done in an overkill fashion and the mdf will also be supporting them (runnnig from both side pillars of the car)
-------------------- Creator-Ohio Bass Society
First and only dual-alternator 'real' Saturn (pre 2002) on the planet (2) 18" Omegas fed by a SoundStream XXX10000 12.75 cubes net @ 30.5Hz, 200 sq inches of port Replaced AC with 250 amp alt 225 amp alternator in stock location (custom bracket) (2) XS Power D3100's 4 power+4 ground 1/0-gauge runs Posts: 1280 | From: OH | Registered: Apr 2007
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quote:Originally posted by chris gomez: it should work just make sure there is s**t tons of air moving around them
i was gonna fiberglass amps in the ceiling of an ext cab cehvy truck but the guy ended up buying a chevy suburban instead
Posts: 40 | From: saginaw,mi | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
I mounted my friends to his celling. but 2 weeks later the sob melted his headliner to his roof and it eventually caught fire. big amps=big heat
-------------------- Team Extreme Sound Amercian Bass T3 Audio Posts: 28 | From: Pasadena, MD | Registered: May 2007
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posted
Uuuuuh....im not just going to mount them to the headliner...im gunna strip the headliner....and leav about an inch between the ceiling and the amp (i will still have a ceiling, but its just going to be about 3 inches or so lower to flush mount them)
-------------------- Creator-Ohio Bass Society
First and only dual-alternator 'real' Saturn (pre 2002) on the planet (2) 18" Omegas fed by a SoundStream XXX10000 12.75 cubes net @ 30.5Hz, 200 sq inches of port Replaced AC with 250 amp alt 225 amp alternator in stock location (custom bracket) (2) XS Power D3100's 4 power+4 ground 1/0-gauge runs Posts: 1280 | From: OH | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
is it the most funcutional place, no but i say go for it. heck you can even pipe an ac vent up there if your going all out. it's not something you see every day and will definetly draw attention. ohh and they make flame retardant materials anyway
-------------------- two 15" l7s us amps 2000 Posts: 323 | From: detroit | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
yeah, i was thinkin about routing some vents up into them, but that probably wont happen, and im definitely going to be lookin for some good fire-proofing for the surrounding areas
-------------------- Creator-Ohio Bass Society
First and only dual-alternator 'real' Saturn (pre 2002) on the planet (2) 18" Omegas fed by a SoundStream XXX10000 12.75 cubes net @ 30.5Hz, 200 sq inches of port Replaced AC with 250 amp alt 225 amp alternator in stock location (custom bracket) (2) XS Power D3100's 4 power+4 ground 1/0-gauge runs Posts: 1280 | From: OH | Registered: Apr 2007
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