Amp is Acting Weird
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 871
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From: Coleman, Wisconsin
Amp is Acting Weird
Every now and then when I'm listening to music my amp will pound on one beat, but the next beat will sound like I have no amp at all and will continue this pattern for several minutes. I also don't think my system (600watt amp, 2-10'' mtx's) pounds enough compared to my friends which pounds twice as much.(400watt amp, 2-10'' lightning audio) But once in a blue moon the bass will be amazing even with the loud button off, but other times with the loud button on high it seems like its struggling for bass like there's some kind of restriction on the speakers or not enough power. I hope I explained myself well enough so it makes sence. One more thing... I have a homemade box, will cutting hole in it for air movement be worth a shot or is that only needed on seeled boxes?? Thanks alot!!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
Have the altenator check for output. They can see how much amp draw is under load. Also have them check your Voltage regulator too.
Make sure your system is on at the same volume while they do this. I have a DC meter clamp that I use to check all systems that can record voltage, Amp, Resistance at all RPMs. I see alot of systems that are under powered, And no cap is going to fix it either.
Make sure your system is on at the same volume while they do this. I have a DC meter clamp that I use to check all systems that can record voltage, Amp, Resistance at all RPMs. I see alot of systems that are under powered, And no cap is going to fix it either.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,665
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From: B/CS, Texas!!
Sounds like your amp is clipping. Get thicker wires. I'd recommend at LEAST 4 gauge for your setup.
While playing your music, watch your amp's Power light and Protection light. If the Power one dims or turns off, its not getting enough juice.
EDIT:
Don't cut a hole in your box unless you really know what you're doing. Cutting a 'random' hole is just gonna sound like crap.(air "whooshing" sound)
While playing your music, watch your amp's Power light and Protection light. If the Power one dims or turns off, its not getting enough juice.
EDIT:
Don't cut a hole in your box unless you really know what you're doing. Cutting a 'random' hole is just gonna sound like crap.(air "whooshing" sound)
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 1
From: Bixby, OK
Sounds like the amp's not getting fed enough power. Also why run 4 guage wiring from your battery to your amp, without running wires from your alt. to your battery? This may be a problem too, even if you have 4 guage wiring from battery to fuse to amp. I would recommend getting on google.com and searching for the Big 3 upgrade. It helps a lot with all of your electrical needs.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 235
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From: Indiana
make sure all of the connections are good, and look to see if when you get a hard hit that the powerlight stays on. Sometimes with too much resistance is in your wiring the thermal protector will kick in and until it cools down will stay off. Also check to make sure the subs are good, a friends amp was shutting off after being played a while, and it turned out one sub was fried.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 871
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From: Coleman, Wisconsin
How would I check if the subs are good or not? I just bought them used and aren't very familiar with them. I'm not sure the size of my power wire from the battery but its rated for 1000watt amp. I flooded my truck awhile ago and maybe my wires have corrosion on them. I'll have to start at one end and work to the other trying all the things you told me to. This is going to be a pain.....
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 235
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From: Indiana
first make sure that the amp is getting the power it needs, if not, look into getting a capacitor, or possibly a new battery. Second if the amp is getting enought power, listen to both of the subs and make sure they hit about the same, if one hits light and the other hits hard its most likely the one that hit light is the one with the most resistance, or has a short in it. Unplug the sub if you think one is much quieter than the other. If you have no problems for a while, while the "bad" one is unpluged, then you just had a bad sub, also take the subs out the boxs) and see if they are all getting good connections. The one sub test will not require as much power, so make sure thats not your problem first.
Possibly quick tests, if your lights dim a good amout then your not getting enough power, if the power light flickers off and on a consistant rate then thats the thermal overload protector kicking in.
good luck
Possibly quick tests, if your lights dim a good amout then your not getting enough power, if the power light flickers off and on a consistant rate then thats the thermal overload protector kicking in.
good luck
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Bixby, OK
You would hear if your subs are good or not. Your wires may have corrosion on them so I would start by checking them.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Indiana
My friends' sub that went out was still working, but was much quieter than the good one, when i took it out of the box there was a little smoke that came out, thats the main way i found out it was bad, i was amazed that that could happen, the sub still play smoothly but quietly and be busted. It was the wiring on the sub that was shorting out somewhere. His was also purchased used.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
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From: Bixby, OK
How is a capacitator going to give the power a vehicle needs? All it does is store a small amount of energy for a peak on an bass hit like a bass drum. The alternator is what powers a vehicle, and the battery acts as a reservoir, a cap gives out little amounts of energy, and it gives the power faster than a battery because it's right by the amp, and the power doesn't have to go through your wiring so far. If you're having this much of a problem, upgrade your wiring from your alternator to your battery, from your engine block to the body, and clean all the connections. If you're still having a problem of not getting enough power then upgrade alternator, and if then not, install an isolator and a battery fully devoted to the sound system.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 235
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From: Indiana
BOSS50 what kind of vehicle do you have, and do your lights dim whenever you have a hard hit, sometimes you can also tell whenever your stereo will turnoff when your amp tries to hit hard and sucks all the power. Found out quick just how crappy my old battery was when i couldnt play my sound system with the vehicle turned off. Caps will help your electrical system from having so much fluctuating voltage and will put less stress on your whole electrical system, but cant store enough volts to actualy power the amp.