Why install the amp on MDF board?

eliminates ground loop.

 

i think the jbl is held in by metal brackets... screwed into a plastic casing... or plastic bushing.. i looked at it a few times.. don't recall details.

about that ground loop. made me curious about the same question and i start to wonder if the radio's poor performance can somehow be because of an oversight in the original design... highly unlikely.

also about the ground loop.. a question of sorts... does the amp ever get grounded by the casing (proper method?) or should casing never contact ground therefore that's why people use mdf? in a sense, it's shorting out with that ground loop through the casing then? because heat sinks and such contact the outer casing so therefore i would think some sort of current is getting grounded out wrong?

i burnt up my amp a few months back so i'm wondering a little more than normal...

 

Good point. I've never seen an amplifier mounted on a board grounded via separate wire - the only ground wire is the one used to power it.



I decided to measure the resistance between the amplifier's housing and ground terminal - there is no connection so the amp housing on JL 900/5 is totally separated from the board inside. Which now make me think how should I install mine...I don't like the idea of putting something in that is not required (the MDF board). I don't think it will help with cooling either.


Did you guys with an amp installed on the board screw it directly to the car's body?

 

how about a couple strips of heavy duty velcro to the carpet?

 

Sometimes it's just easier to mount an amp to a board. It allows you to sink screws in more convenient places (than the amp flanges might otherwise allow)...it also can keep the amp from sliding around. In some cases, ground loop is an issue and board mounting can help. Sometimes it's just a cosmetic thing. The factory amp is elevated over the floor under the seat with metal brackets....I think it's more to expose it all to air for cooling and to keep it away from accidental spills...there is a plastic cover that snaps over it and it's probably there to prevent feet or stowed objects from contacting the wiring harnesses or to keep the sliding seat from catching on anything.

 

I alot of cases you can slide the mdf under carpet then screw the amp into the mdf and through the carpet. This keeps the amps from moving and ensures you won't have any noise due to screws connecting the amps to the car body.