I just installed 2 audiobahn 12's in my car and i'm wanting to know how hot my amp should get? it feels about 130-150 (guessing) and is hot to the touch after a while, but i can still hold a finger without getting burned. Bad or Ok?
Replies (7)
swez on 09/18/2005 16:51:56
What amp and subs are you using here, (make & model #'s) and how are the subs wired to this amp? (Series, parallel, series/parallel, other)
You can expect an amp to reach 120-130 degrees F (hot bath water) at the heat sinks, when it has been playing hard for 10-15 minutes or more. If the amp has a fan built in, the fan will cycle on/off as needed to cool the output transistors.
Most newer amps have thermal protection circuits. If they get too hot, they will shut down to cool and then fire back up after cooling.
Swez
Thingsdatgobumpindanight. on 09/18/2005 20:54:05
its a rockford fosgate punch 120 and 2 audiobahn 12w51 se's(12inch). The amp overheated on the way home, so i took the cover off and lowered the gain and it runs much cooler without the cover. thanks for the help.
ttocs on 09/19/2005 01:24:05
the gain should not be more the 2/3 max.
swez on 09/19/2005 11:19:08
Changing the gain settings will help keep the amp cooler and not work so hard. However, the covers (if they are metal) actually help disperse the heat over a wide area to help keep the amplifier circuits cooler. The covers are also there to protect the PC board from foreign objects, excess moisture and such, getting into the amp. I suggest you reinstall the covers to protect the PC board and help distribute the heat.
Swez
Thingsdatgobumpindanight. on 09/19/2005 19:59:26
Thingsdatgobumpindanight. on 09/19/2005 20:00:28
i mean the "covers" on the sides for show, i didn't know your supposed to take em off, nothing is exposed, and the gain is at 1/2. Still really really LOUD!! lol
swez on 09/21/2005 04:14:22
OK, side covers are mostly for show and such. As long as the amp has adequate air flow over the heat sinks, the amp will remain cool enough to operate. If the amp begins to cycle on and off, it usually means the amp circuits are getting too hot. The amp will shut off to cool, then come back on in a few seconds to a minute or two.
This is a pretty modest amp. To get the most from it, can either bridge both channels and use a 4 ohm load or run as a 2 channel, with 2 ohms per cahnnel. This amp when bridged, will deliver a solid 120 watts (RMS) to a 4 ohm load. If you run it bridged to a 2 ohm load, 150 watts (RMS) or more is possible.
NOTE: This Punch series is pretty robust. Some guys do run them at 2 ohms in bridged mode. It was not designed for that, but it seems to handle that load, but more heating. Not recommended to run this amp at below 4 ohms bridged. Yes, it may still work, but the life of the amp can be shortened by such practices.
Swez
PS Are these 4+4 DVC (dual coil) subs? How are they wired to your amp?
Replies (7)
swez on 09/18/2005 16:51:56
What amp and subs are you using here, (make & model #'s) and how are the subs wired to this amp? (Series, parallel, series/parallel, other)
You can expect an amp to reach 120-130 degrees F (hot bath water) at the heat sinks, when it has been playing hard for 10-15 minutes or more. If the amp has a fan built in, the fan will cycle on/off as needed to cool the output transistors.
Most newer amps have thermal protection circuits. If they get too hot, they will shut down to cool and then fire back up after cooling.
Swez
Thingsdatgobumpindanight. on 09/18/2005 20:54:05
its a rockford fosgate punch 120 and 2 audiobahn 12w51 se's(12inch). The amp overheated on the way home, so i took the cover off and lowered the gain and it runs much cooler without the cover. thanks for the help.
ttocs on 09/19/2005 01:24:05
the gain should not be more the 2/3 max.
swez on 09/19/2005 11:19:08
Changing the gain settings will help keep the amp cooler and not work so hard. However, the covers (if they are metal) actually help disperse the heat over a wide area to help keep the amplifier circuits cooler. The covers are also there to protect the PC board from foreign objects, excess moisture and such, getting into the amp. I suggest you reinstall the covers to protect the PC board and help distribute the heat.
Swez
Thingsdatgobumpindanight. on 09/19/2005 19:59:26
Thingsdatgobumpindanight. on 09/19/2005 20:00:28
i mean the "covers" on the sides for show, i didn't know your supposed to take em off, nothing is exposed, and the gain is at 1/2. Still really really LOUD!! lol
swez on 09/21/2005 04:14:22
OK, side covers are mostly for show and such. As long as the amp has adequate air flow over the heat sinks, the amp will remain cool enough to operate. If the amp begins to cycle on and off, it usually means the amp circuits are getting too hot. The amp will shut off to cool, then come back on in a few seconds to a minute or two.
This is a pretty modest amp. To get the most from it, can either bridge both channels and use a 4 ohm load or run as a 2 channel, with 2 ohms per cahnnel. This amp when bridged, will deliver a solid 120 watts (RMS) to a 4 ohm load. If you run it bridged to a 2 ohm load, 150 watts (RMS) or more is possible.
NOTE: This Punch series is pretty robust. Some guys do run them at 2 ohms in bridged mode. It was not designed for that, but it seems to handle that load, but more heating. Not recommended to run this amp at below 4 ohms bridged. Yes, it may still work, but the life of the amp can be shortened by such practices.
Swez
PS Are these 4+4 DVC (dual coil) subs? How are they wired to your amp?
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