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My 2013 Gen 3 Audio Upgrade

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by DJ Q, Jan 4, 2019.

  1. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    The Prius has no alternator. As previously mentioned, the DC/DC output of the inverter is 14V 100A to keep the 12V battery charged and run the electrical needs of the vehicle. If I was going to add to the stereo, I would get an ammeter and measure full load current with all installed accessories running to get a baseline. Then you will know the remaining amps the inverter can provide. If you exceed the output of the inverter, best case scenario, you will run down the 12V and the car will start acting strange. Worst case, you will cook the inverter.
     
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  2. Mohsin Afzal

    Mohsin Afzal Junior Member

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    Thank you for your reply cnc97. Just out of curiosity how much would a new inverter cost if I cook the current one?
     
  3. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    The inverter is several thousand dollars from Toyota, several hundred used.
     
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Following post #19 rule, you exceeded the max draw by 106 amps. I would look into additional batteries and caps. personally I would seek an alternative setup all together.
     
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  5. Mohsin Afzal

    Mohsin Afzal Junior Member

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    Thanks for your reply Grit. Do you know anyone who has an install in there Prius.if so what sort of setup do they have. If I was to add additional batteries and caps.. would this safeguard against damaging the inverter. Also do you know the maximum amount of amps my system should be pulling from the car..I.e so that the inverter can cope with the car and the system. I am completely new to upgrading audio especially in a Prius.. need help?
     
  6. DJ Q

    DJ Q Junior Member

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    Honestly, If you're new to upgraded audio, I'm 99% sure you won't need all of that power.
    You'd be surprised how loud you can get with just 200 watts and a single 10 or 12" sub.

    Also, even if you upgrade the battery or add more batteries... there is still a strain on the power source, i.e. the inverter, since it still has to charge them when they are depleted.

    My suggestion: Small mono amp with single 10 or 12" sub in a ported enclosure. 2400w in bass paired with stock speakers isn't going to make any sense anyway.
     
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  7. Ed Beaty

    Ed Beaty Active Member

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    Best reply in this thread, to date.... ^
     
  8. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    See post #19, then you'll know how 106 amps were calculated.
     
  9. Mohsin Afzal

    Mohsin Afzal Junior Member

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    Thanks for your reply.. I have decided to settle for 1 12 inch sub. The pioneer TS-W3003D4. This sub is rated at 600w rms.. if I was to add say a 300w rms amplifier to it.. would it sound decent in your opinion.. also if an amp has 2 40amp fuses on it. Does that mean that anything over 40amp pulled by the amp would blow the fuse to safeguard the amp.. I'm sorry if this is a silly question but I'm thinking if I have about 106a from the inverter then maybe best to have an amp tha pulls about 40amp n no more. This Is my last question before deciding on the install.
     
  10. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    40 amps puts you in the neighborhood of 480 watts. Half of that would probably be more then enough for your car. By the way, volts x amps = watts. That way you can be sure to have enough information to get you where you need to go.
     
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  11. MegaPrius101

    MegaPrius101 Junior Member

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    If you didn’t know already, JL audio makes a pretty good single and dual sub with built in amp.. just plug and play
     
  12. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Ideally you want to have the nominal wattage of amp output to match the speaker's nominal watt handling. Speaker won't be use to it's maximum potential with your setup.
     
  13. Mohsin Afzal

    Mohsin Afzal Junior Member

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    Thanks alot for the reply.. volts × Amps = watts. Got that.. but would that be watts rms or peak.
     
  14. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    Always use peak. It gives you a buffer zone that will keep you safe.
     
  15. DJ Q

    DJ Q Junior Member

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    ^Not necessarily.
    A lot of peak figures are highly exaggerated.
    Just follow the fuse rating on the amp. If it's higher than 60A, just put a 60A fuse at the battery so you don't accidentally mess things up.

    Easy to replace a fuse
     
  16. Mohsin Afzal

    Mohsin Afzal Junior Member

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    Thanks alot to all of you for your help.. I have finally decided on the set up I'm going to put in. I'm putting the pioneer tsw3003d4 sub in powered by the pioneer gmd9601 amp which I wanted originally. According to pioneers own website the amp will use a maximum power ampage of 39 amps. But let's just round that up to 40. I went to see an auto electrician who used to fit my bass in on my other cars. He said I should be fine with a larger battery and a power cap. Alot of you mentioned the optimal yellow top battery on this site. Can you please help with what ah I should be looking to get.. I found one from tayna batteries online which is 35ah however my current battery is 45ah. So I'm abit confused.. can someone please help on this. And also if I use a power cap would it still be better to put a 60amp fuse near the battery just to be safe. Thanks in advance.
     
  17. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    There is a guy in Priuschat with photos on how to add a battery!! He did it so he could keep a cooler running in the back. His setup keeps both batteries in a charging loop, thus, no extra load.
     
  18. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    https://priuschat.com/members/frodoz737.67749/ See Media. I ran 900 watts rms with no need for an additional battery or capacitor. Was crystal clear and you could hear it on the other side of the sub-division. A rear facing 10" sub has more than you will ever need in a Prius.
     
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  19. Mohsin Afzal

    Mohsin Afzal Junior Member

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    Hi Frodoz.. it wont let me open the link..
     
  20. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    You may still have the "new guy" restrictions. It's been a while, but someone may chime in on how many posts you need to lift this. The info isn't going anywhere...so be patient.