ok here is the deal. i have a chevy tahoe 1997. the sound system a friend and i just installed is, was, sick as hell. there are three twelve inch subwoofers, vizonix, and a 1000 watt legacy amp. for the first week it worked very well. now the amp keeps shutting off....if i leave the car off for a while it turns back on for a few minutes but then shuts off agian. when it comes on it is very weak and not booming like it once was. the amplifier is bridged and the subs were wired by a professional who said that the way he set it up we had to bridge the amp to get maximum sound. we have checked all of the wiring and cannot figure out what the problem is. i cannot contact the original bulider of the subs for he no longer lives where i live. What is the problem and what can i do to fix it? any help is appreciated.
Replies (1)
swez on 02/2/2006 19:29:01
Sounds like the amp is overheating and shuts down to cool off.
If the amp is much weaker than originally installed, probably have a few blown output transistors by now and the remaining ones are just not handling the load well.
Define "Professional Install"? A guy was paid money to do something. Nothing more, nothing less... but there is a huge difference between paid installers and highly skilled ones. This site has several outstanding Professional Installers. They wince at stories like this one.
OK, a few basic questions for you:
1. What make and model subs and amp do you have now?
2. Can you measure the DC voltage at the supply side of the amp with the car running?
3. Have an ohmeter handy as well? Measure the sub ohmic readings at the terminal wires to the box or amp (wires disconnected from amp)
Need a voltage number between 12.5 - 14.0 VDC to allow most amps to work at peak performance. Knowing these basic pieces of the puzzle, will help identify what's actually going on here.
Swez
PS Can get a low cost multimeter at Wall-Mart for under $20.00. If one is to dabble in electronic circuits and troubleshooting, this is a must have tool.
Replies (1)
swez on 02/2/2006 19:29:01
Sounds like the amp is overheating and shuts down to cool off.
If the amp is much weaker than originally installed, probably have a few blown output transistors by now and the remaining ones are just not handling the load well.
Define "Professional Install"? A guy was paid money to do something. Nothing more, nothing less... but there is a huge difference between paid installers and highly skilled ones. This site has several outstanding Professional Installers. They wince at stories like this one.
OK, a few basic questions for you:
1. What make and model subs and amp do you have now?
2. Can you measure the DC voltage at the supply side of the amp with the car running?
3. Have an ohmeter handy as well? Measure the sub ohmic readings at the terminal wires to the box or amp (wires disconnected from amp)
Need a voltage number between 12.5 - 14.0 VDC to allow most amps to work at peak performance. Knowing these basic pieces of the puzzle, will help identify what's actually going on here.
Swez
PS Can get a low cost multimeter at Wall-Mart for under $20.00. If one is to dabble in electronic circuits and troubleshooting, this is a must have tool.
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