Amp Rack

So I just wanted to show everybody the Amp Rack I built this weekend. I have to give credit to jonyb for the idea. I was having some issues figuring out how to mount my amp to the inside of the hull. Here are some pictures.

What it looked like before. (My ghetto amp rack)

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...t/DSC07242.jpg

I cut holes in the carpet along the hull

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...t/DSC07253.jpg

Gorilla glued small blocks I cut from a 2x6

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...t/DSC07256.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...t/DSC07261.jpg

Cut out a piece of 1/2" MDF for the rack

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...t/DSC07260.jpg

Used spray adhesive and staples for the carpet

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...t/DSC07264.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...t/DSC07265.jpg

Mounted Amp to the rack

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...t/DSC07269.jpg

Mounted Amp and Rack in the boat and screwed the rack to the blocks that glued in.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...t/DSC07274.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...t/DSC07272.jpg

I am now in the process of moving my batteries where you see them in the pictures and cleaning up all of the wiring.

Looks great, want to come to VA and do my amp ramp - which broke in half? Did you coat the MDF in anything before you glued the carpet down? How strong of a bond is the wood to the glass?

Looks good. I'm looking to do something similar when mine is put back together. That looks like the KX700.5, is that what it is? I'm going to get that amp, although it might be next year. I'm planning on getting the KX450.2 to drive my tower speakers for sure. I'm going to try to build a rack like you did and make enough room for the KX450.2 and my current sub amp, but allow enough room for the future change to the KX700.5.

I love the "clamps" you used to hold the blocks in place. ;)

Good Job
Jony is the one I would take advice from.

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Originally Posted by WadsworthSunsport22V

Looks great, want to come to VA and do my amp ramp - which broke in half? Did you coat the MDF in anything before you glued the carpet down? How strong of a bond is the wood to the glass?

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I didn't coat the MDF in anything. I dont really plan on it getting wet back there. I guess, to be safe you could coat it in a primer/sealer or something like that. The bond between the blocks and glass is pretty good. I had to redo two of the because I didn't have enough direct pressure. That is key.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Okie Boarder

Looks good. I'm looking to do something similar when mine is put back together. That looks like the KX700.5, is that what it is? I'm going to get that amp, although it might be next year. I'm planning on getting the KX450.2 to drive my tower speakers for sure. I'm going to try to build a rack like you did and make enough room for the KX450.2 and my current sub amp, but allow enough room for the future change to the KX700.5.

I love the "clamps" you used to hold the blocks in place. ;)

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That is the 700.5. I got it online for a pretty resonable price I think. It does what I need. I have the four channels bridged for the tower speakers and then the sub. The other amp I have on the other side is the 400.4 I think. It may be 350.4, I dont really remember. It was hard to figure out the best way to put pressure on those blocks so I figured the battery is pretty heavy. It worked pretty good.

Looks great TayTay. Looks like you could have also screwe the amp right to the blocks and skipped the backer board you made, it wouldnt look as clean, but still an option!

Ya, that is another option. The backer board was cheap, $9 for the wood, $10 for the carpet so it was worth the money and little extra time for that. Plus the wood is actually sitting on the floor and then screwed into the blocks so there really isn't any pressure due to gravity effecting the blocks which is nice. When we are out and the boat is pounding over the waves, the floor is what is going to be supporting the amp. The blocks keep it from tipping pretty much.

Great work and thanks for posting the pictorial and thread. Thanks to Jonyb for helping out.

Looks great, where did you get the carpet? Looks like it matches almost perfectly.

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Originally Posted by jaywidhalm

Looks great, where did you get the carpet? Looks like it matches almost perfectly.

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I got it from a local upholstery shop called Final Touch Upholstery in Kennewick, WA. It is almost a perfect match. I just always keep a scrap of it and I can go back there and if they dont have any in stock, they can order it.

Even water from your swim trunks will seep to that amp rack. It will swell on bottom and bulge. Then it will dry and start to crumble. I would take it out and coat with resin. Youll be glad you did.

I agree on the waterproofing. It would be worth doing. I'd recommend using CPES...it will penetrate the wood better.

I used marine ply. No messy coating.

I appreciate the heads up. I will probably go ahead and do that.

I'm not going to say that it won't get wet, but it's kind of far-fetched being so far under the console. Then again, my friends and riders are trained that they dry themselves off before entering the boat. THe little water that's left on their trunks isn't enough to drip down to the console. It is a good idea to coat it with something though.

Looks good TayTay! That's exactly what I had in mind when I talked to you. When cleaning up those wires, use the loops that you screw down to keep the wires in place. If the loops are too small for all the wires, loop what you can and wire tie the other wires to them. Don't pull them too tight from the amp in case the amp rack comes off it won't jerk the wires out.

That was my plan. I bought some of the black plastic sheathing to go around some of the wires. I'll post pics when I get all of the organizing done.

Anxious to see it finished, looks good so far. Dont forget some leds to light it all up.

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Originally Posted by 87SunSportMikeyD

I used marine ply. No messy coating.

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Even with marine ply I think I'd be inclined to put a little CPES on.

I really like how you moved the batteries...mine sit right there when you open it, in battery boxes (plastic). This really gives you a lot more storage! I have 3 blue top optimas, but I think I could put two where you did and get down to just one battery box on the side....Great Job!

Okie, is your boat apart??

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Originally Posted by jet

Okie, is your boat apart??

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Whatchya talkin bout Willis?

On the 1st page of this thread, you said "as soon as I get my boat back together". Is that from the throttle breakage?? It just sounded like your boat was torn apart. ??

I see what you're saying. Go back and look at the date of that post. My boat was still apart back then.

Am I ever glad you posted the pics of that amp rack. I sat and stared at my boat yesterday trying to decide how I wanted to do my amp rack. Now I atleast have one good option