First post need help please.. Amp draw for Prius - 2 amps?

I'd suggest reading this forum a bit - many have put in Pioneer AVICs (of various model). Many also run amps.

Some stereo shops are scared because they don't understand the Prius - it is like any other car - stereo runs on 12 VDC. It has nothing to do with the high voltage systems...

Many here run amps, other stereos (Pioneer etc), subwoofers, and large inverters (to plug in AC stuff). You won't have a problem....

 

stereos are tricky because they never really pull what they put out. a prius 12v system can handle 800 to 1000 watts being drawn, it can handle peaks around 1200.

i've blasted my bass and stereo to the max while inverting 600watts of a/c power (1000w inverter 1200 peak) without any problems...

i get this feeling you can put pretty much anything you want in.

btw, the stereo does run off of the hybrid battery in a way... and in a way the whole car does. there is no alternator.. just an inverter that steps hybrid high voltage to 12v... technically the only thing that runs solo off the battery is the smart key and entry lights. everything else draws power after the hybrid battery starts feeding the 12v at bootup...... you can disconnect the 12v while the car is on with no ill effects. on a normal car you would be 100% alternator at that point in which you may stall the car with a big enough load or crappy enough alternator.

 

stereos are tricky because they never really pull what they put out. a prius 12v system can handle 800 to 1000 watts being drawn, it can handle peaks around 1200.

i've blasted my bass and stereo to the max while inverting 600watts of a/c power (1000w inverter 1200 peak) without any problems...

i get this feeling you can put pretty much anything you want in.

btw, the stereo does run off of the hybrid battery in a way... and in a way the whole car does. there is no alternator.. just an inverter that steps hybrid high voltage to 12v... technically the only thing that runs solo off the battery is the smart key and entry lights. everything else draws power after the hybrid battery starts feeding the 12v at bootup...... you can disconnect the 12v while the car is on with no ill effects. on a normal car you would be 100% alternator at that point in which you may stall the car with a big enough load or crappy enough alternator.

 

Partially true, but if the car is parked and powered up in accessory mode (so the stereo works) then all the power is coming from the small 12V battery, as the inverter will be powered down.

The inverter is only powered up when the car is in ready mode and the hybrid systems are all powered up.

This probably isn't important, but it is worth noting that you could potentially run the small 12V battery down if you sat in the car for a long time with it switched to accessory mode and with a really powerful stereo running.

 

If you want to get freaky - you *can* clearly fit a larger 12 V battery (there is room - you need to be creative mounting - probably your best low cost bet - CostCo - $100) - add a massive expensive cap - but really - why? Guess it goes to whatever you think is fun - hey - people here spend thousands upgrading suspension and making the thing corner better....

No one has seen issues with power (at least that have posted here) - but I haven't seen anyone going too crazy either.... I run lots of stuff including powered sub, 1500 w inverter powering cell chargers, laptop etc etc.

I also leave my inverter on 100% (.4A draw with nothing plugged in - higher depending on whats plugged into the AC at any given moment)...

Adding *stuff* WILL mean that if you are sitting waiting for the kids, listening or playing while they are at the mall - you will see the battery go down more quickly - meaning the engine will pop on more frequently (charging the battery). In this case, I'd really just buy a big 'ole battery at Costco, and mount it as a replacement...

 

You're getting the batteries confused... The stereo will run off the 12V system. As long as the car is in "ready", the 12V battery is being charged from the HV battery, and the stereo is effectively running off the HV battery. When the HV battery drains, the engine will run to charge it. Replacing the 12V battery will do absolutely nothing in this case.

 

Like most cars, there are two "ignition on" states in the Prius.

Pressing the power button without pushing the brake pedal puts it into accessory mode, a bit like the first click on a conventional key. In this mode 12V power is provided to the radio and a few other things - it's a mode intended for when you're parked up for a while and don't want the engine cycling on and off. The risk is that you can run the 12V battery down eventually in this mode, as there's nothing keeping it charged up.

Pressing the power button with your foot on the brake pedal puts the car into ready mode, and is the equivalent of starting the engine on a conventional car. In this mode the engine will cycle on and off as required and the inverter and hybrid systems will all be powered up. The 12V battery will be charged by the inverter, so there is no risk of it going flat. It is this mode that most people will have the car in most of the time.

 

If the HU has 5V preouts, then use the JL HD900/5, a capacitor and set gains correctly. The stock battery is just fine. If your installer is scared, then find one that is familiar with Prius, or at least knows what they are doing. Make sure they also know how to tune the system to the car.

rrolff and ShawnB2 both have fine solutions for the front 3-way installation. For mine, I placed the 6.5" woofer in stock door location, 3" mid-tweet where squaker was and 1" tweeter in the A-Pillar. I use 6.5" coaxs in the rear and 10" sub in the back. Everything is 4 ohm. Don't forget to use some type dynamat in the doors and rear hatch. This works with no problems and puts out more sound than you will ever want. Good luck and enjoy your new car.:rockon:

 

It does put a drain on mpg (somewhat slightly)

Can someone tell me if the Kenwood DNX 6180 with 2v outputs is ok? Or should I go with the DNX6980 with the 5v outputs?

I cant remember whats the difference when it comes to the amp.


(I found out why it matters, The preamp output rating, measured in volts. Higher preamp output voltage can mean better sound from your amp(s), thanks to better noise resistance.)

But using the amp for subs, will it make a huge difference?