first build ever need noob help

[nicko]

Hello fellow bass lovers,

I recently got some extra cash and ive always wanted a system so i put some money into one. I wanted to start off small so i recently bought 1 sa 12 d2, a shitty box(with plans to either hire someone to make it or build a nice ported box myself). I also picked up a hifonics brutus BRZ 1200.1 D watt mono amp + a knukoncept 4 gauge amp kit.(all on stock electrical)

So i put this all together with some help from my friends dad who has some experience wired it to 1 ohm.

So this is where i need help if anyone is willing. When i crank it to loud it smells like its burning, i did some research and apparently its because its clipping and if i am correct its because the amp is sending a signal to the sub woofer to play a note but doesn't give the sub enough power to follow through with that action. So i'm guessing that my stock electrical system cant keep up with my current setup so i have read things like it could be your gains that are fucked but i really don't think its that because all my lights dim when it hits. I'm pretty sure its either A. my voltage is dropping hard when it hits or B. my alt/battery combo just isn't keeping up with the amp at all.

Why i come here and not go to a local shop, I went to one they said "you are overpowering your sub woofer and you amp isn't stable at one ohm(I explained how it claimed to be right on the factory manual its stable at 1 ohm and they stated"they are lying to you") you must buy another amp with less power" walked out with a 500$ estimate. and i felt like an old woman at a used car lot. I tried talking with them about voltage drops and big 3, and how sa 12's were underrated for warranty reasons and they literally had no idea what i was talking about.

Now the question is what do i need to do? Big 3, better battery/ alt, second battery, or is the audio shop correct? Its just there are so many options and i don't have a shitload of money right now to mess around with it or get fucked by shops. If my goal is to get 14.4 volts what would i have to do to achieve this?

If i said anything dumb and stupid id like to apologize i amm new and i know pretty much nothing about car audio

[Maebros]

sa 12 are rated at 600rms 1200 would be riight at rms. if your light are dimming that bd you are def getting some voltage drop. first thing i would do is the upgrade your power wire then big 3. then upgrade your battery and if you have money an upgraded alt.

as far as clipping find someone near you with a DD-1 or an O scope. or just pick up a dd-1 yourself. and make sure you get your gains tuned propperly

[Swordlordboy1234]

Gains tuned properly is ASAP advise. Upgrading to big 3, is another almost ASAP. But clipping will kill faster then lower voltage. Don't want that pretty SA up in smoke right? Maybe a volt meter and don't let it dip below 12 volts

[Truconcept]

the brz amps are very power hungry

dont ever go in that shop again its def 1ohm stable (i have my brz1200.1 at .5ohms but i dont recommend that lol)

you def need to a big 3 with that amp

upgrading the wire from the alternator and adding a bigger wire to your battery negative should help alot

but i must say i dont think a standard battery is good enough for that amp i have a yellow optima+standard batt and it needs more power

[Truconcept]

oh and i dont know how you have the amp set but never ever use the bass boost on that amplifier

[JamieHoward]

^^^ Solid advice. Big 3 (preferably in 1/0, as you will undoubtedly want to upgrade later), then an upgraded batt under the hood, and possibly another in the trunk. I think your stock alt will be fine for 1200 watts, but you will need some battery reserve. When you have the money, a high output alt is very nice to have. And as far as being a noob, everyone is at some point, but you seem to have a fairly solid knowledge base going into your first system. I think you will be ok with some guidance Grasshopper.

[bighossf150]

Where do you live? I'm sure there is someone local to you.that will help you set your gains the rigbt way. You are more than likely clipping the hell out of your sub.

[nicko]

Where do you live? I'm sure there is someone local to you.that will help you set your gains the rigbt way. You are more than likely clipping the hell out of your sub.

Wow, Thank you everyone for the quick response! I live in New Smyrna Beach, Florida

[Maebros]

welcome to the forum btw.

[severancej]

Go turn your gain down now I bet its up a little too high, your woofer shouldn't get too warm in the center, he has potential to cook that SA clipping@1 ohm right?