i have two clarion 12" dual 4 ohm subs and im trying to hook it up to my alpine 4 channel 4 ohm amp.... been trying but seems when i turn up the volume the subs cut out when they are hooked up, making me think its not stable can u help me out?
Replies (10)
swez on 03/22/2006 07:11:49
There is a way, but need to know about how this amp is being used. Are all 4 channels available for sub use only, or just the rear 2 channels? Which model Alpine amp is this?
Swez
ttocs on 03/22/2006 10:26:37
you would probably be better wiring the subs in parallel and bridging the amp. Does the amp turn off, or does it go into protection?
superbali on 03/22/2006 14:41:40
it never shuts the light off just the bass kicks out, its an alpine v power 4 channel amp..... i wanted to use it all 4 channels, but right now i have it wired series wiring to a bridged channels 3 and 4 but at certain bass notes it still cuts out, could it be that im simply over loading the amp?
swez on 03/22/2006 14:43:57
Sounds like the amp as wired now, is going into overload protection. This causes many amps to shut down or go into protect mode, when pushed to higher putput levels.
Another item that will cause this problem, is gain settings on amp channels are too sensitive. At peak bass hits, the amp runs out of gas and shuts down. (protect mode)
Depending on how the amp is used, have a few work around plans to help things along.
Swez
superbali on 03/22/2006 14:54:45
the subs are DVC dual 4ohm so what kind of amp should i purchase since this one cant take it ? the subs max at 750 each
can i run a class d amp? 2ohms i thought wouldnt work for these subs.......
swez on 03/22/2006 16:35:10
Are these the Clarion SWR 1285 subs? If yes, these are rated at 375 watts (RMS) and are 4+4 DVC's.
Have 2 main options if you want to get these puppies a bumpin:
1. Class D amp, 1 ohm stable, ~600 watts RMS @ 1 ohm. HiFonics and perhaps MA Audio can help with that.
2. Use a 2 channel amp rated @ 2 x 300 watts (RMS) @ 2 ohms/ch. JBL, Infinity, Kicker, HiFonics, RF and a few other brands come to mind, that can deliver that kind of punch.
Hit the search engines and look for amps that spec as noted above. Once you find a few, come back and let us have a look at them, before you dive in and buy OK?
Comments?
Swez
superbali on 03/22/2006 19:17:13
thanx alot swez, well i went back to where i purchased the subs, yes they are 1285s so i bout a Clarion APX640.2 640W 2/1 channel amp and it pounds like no tommorrow but it seems when i hit certain bass notes my fuse under my hood goes, the one for the amps power wiring...... its a 30amp fuse i was thinking mayhaps its not the best one and i should purchase another..... any thoughts?
swez on 03/22/2006 20:51:43
Yes, the fuse is under powered for this amp. However, it also depends on the power feed line wire gage used. A single #8 wire is barely adequate for this amp at full power. The max fuse to use on a #8 wire is 50A.
If you are using the 4 channel Alpine for Mids and Highs, we need to know what model # or fuses in that amp as well. Most likely, a #4 power feed line is adequate up to 100A.
Here, we use a #4 lead off the BAT +, to fuse block, 12-18" from the BAT. Then, feed out to the amp location and add a D-block that accepts 1 x #4 input and 2 x #8 outputs. Keep the #8 wire you have now to feed from the D-block to each amp. Grounds for each amp are #8 wire as well.
With this new Clarion amp, (nice amp) use it in 2 channel mode. One sub to each channel. Each sub coil set in parallel for a net 2 ohms. The amp will deliver at least 250 watts RMS per channel. Not bad at all.
What HU are you using now? (Make & model #) Knowing the RCA output voltage, we can dial in your gain properly. (IVS setting range)
Also, set your Low Pass Filter (PFS) between 80-100 Hz., for now. Depending on the other speakers used in this system, more tweaking may be considered as you build and do final tweaks.
If you did not get a manual, here's a link to the manual for this amp. Just follow the instructions and print out a copy for future references.
Questions?
Swez
superbali on 03/22/2006 20:59:13
ive decided to give up on the alpine for now... im jsut running the clarion to the subs i have the subs wired like on ur chart i believe series is the wiring?? and the wiring im using to power the amp may be a little thin for it.... is thre a way to just make it stable, should i go get a fuse rated for the 2 fuses added together from the amp.... u kno the fuses on the amp do i add them to find what i should stick under the hood? my HU is a pioneer DH??4400 i have it set on the 2v-8v setting since my rcas are 4v yes the low pass is set and i have the mode switch on 2 channel bridged... getting the 50amp fuse might make it stable?? the fuse i have is like a car fuse, should i get one in the glass tube? could i have the gain setting too high?
swez on 03/22/2006 23:57:27
About the fuse... it depends on the wire gage used and how much current the amp will draw at peak hits. I hope you have at least #8 power and ground. Anything less than #8, can overheat and cause real problems. (Like a major short or melting jacket that starts a fire in your car.)
You can get 40A fuses and maybe a 50A one in the same style as used in the fuse panel of most cars. Just hop over to Auto Zone, Pep Boys or similar and pick up a few that have the same prong spacing as the 30A in there now. I don't think you'll blow a 40-45A fuse very easily with this amp. It probably draws just under 50A's when the amp is really working hard.
Good luck,
Swez
PS That 30A fuse will blow frequently with this new amp. It'll be fine if you go easy on the HU volume, but it will blow when you stand on it hard.
Replies (10)
swez on 03/22/2006 07:11:49
There is a way, but need to know about how this amp is being used. Are all 4 channels available for sub use only, or just the rear 2 channels? Which model Alpine amp is this?
Swez
ttocs on 03/22/2006 10:26:37
you would probably be better wiring the subs in parallel and bridging the amp. Does the amp turn off, or does it go into protection?
superbali on 03/22/2006 14:41:40
it never shuts the light off just the bass kicks out, its an alpine v power 4 channel amp..... i wanted to use it all 4 channels, but right now i have it wired series wiring to a bridged channels 3 and 4 but at certain bass notes it still cuts out, could it be that im simply over loading the amp?
swez on 03/22/2006 14:43:57
Sounds like the amp as wired now, is going into overload protection. This causes many amps to shut down or go into protect mode, when pushed to higher putput levels.
Another item that will cause this problem, is gain settings on amp channels are too sensitive. At peak bass hits, the amp runs out of gas and shuts down. (protect mode)
Depending on how the amp is used, have a few work around plans to help things along.
Swez
superbali on 03/22/2006 14:54:45
the subs are DVC dual 4ohm so what kind of amp should i purchase since this one cant take it ? the subs max at 750 each
can i run a class d amp? 2ohms i thought wouldnt work for these subs.......
swez on 03/22/2006 16:35:10
Are these the Clarion SWR 1285 subs? If yes, these are rated at 375 watts (RMS) and are 4+4 DVC's.
Have 2 main options if you want to get these puppies a bumpin:
1. Class D amp, 1 ohm stable, ~600 watts RMS @ 1 ohm. HiFonics and perhaps MA Audio can help with that.
2. Use a 2 channel amp rated @ 2 x 300 watts (RMS) @ 2 ohms/ch. JBL, Infinity, Kicker, HiFonics, RF and a few other brands come to mind, that can deliver that kind of punch.
Hit the search engines and look for amps that spec as noted above. Once you find a few, come back and let us have a look at them, before you dive in and buy OK?
Comments?
Swez
superbali on 03/22/2006 19:17:13
thanx alot swez, well i went back to where i purchased the subs, yes they are 1285s so i bout a Clarion APX640.2 640W 2/1 channel amp and it pounds like no tommorrow but it seems when i hit certain bass notes my fuse under my hood goes, the one for the amps power wiring...... its a 30amp fuse i was thinking mayhaps its not the best one and i should purchase another..... any thoughts?
swez on 03/22/2006 20:51:43
Yes, the fuse is under powered for this amp. However, it also depends on the power feed line wire gage used. A single #8 wire is barely adequate for this amp at full power. The max fuse to use on a #8 wire is 50A.
If you are using the 4 channel Alpine for Mids and Highs, we need to know what model # or fuses in that amp as well. Most likely, a #4 power feed line is adequate up to 100A.
Here, we use a #4 lead off the BAT +, to fuse block, 12-18" from the BAT. Then, feed out to the amp location and add a D-block that accepts 1 x #4 input and 2 x #8 outputs. Keep the #8 wire you have now to feed from the D-block to each amp. Grounds for each amp are #8 wire as well.
With this new Clarion amp, (nice amp) use it in 2 channel mode. One sub to each channel. Each sub coil set in parallel for a net 2 ohms. The amp will deliver at least 250 watts RMS per channel. Not bad at all.
What HU are you using now? (Make & model #) Knowing the RCA output voltage, we can dial in your gain properly. (IVS setting range)
Also, set your Low Pass Filter (PFS) between 80-100 Hz., for now. Depending on the other speakers used in this system, more tweaking may be considered as you build and do final tweaks.
If you did not get a manual, here's a link to the manual for this amp. Just follow the instructions and print out a copy for future references.
Questions?
Swez
superbali on 03/22/2006 20:59:13
ive decided to give up on the alpine for now... im jsut running the clarion to the subs i have the subs wired like on ur chart i believe series is the wiring?? and the wiring im using to power the amp may be a little thin for it.... is thre a way to just make it stable, should i go get a fuse rated for the 2 fuses added together from the amp.... u kno the fuses on the amp do i add them to find what i should stick under the hood? my HU is a pioneer DH??4400 i have it set on the 2v-8v setting since my rcas are 4v yes the low pass is set and i have the mode switch on 2 channel bridged... getting the 50amp fuse might make it stable?? the fuse i have is like a car fuse, should i get one in the glass tube? could i have the gain setting too high?
swez on 03/22/2006 23:57:27
About the fuse... it depends on the wire gage used and how much current the amp will draw at peak hits. I hope you have at least #8 power and ground. Anything less than #8, can overheat and cause real problems. (Like a major short or melting jacket that starts a fire in your car.)
You can get 40A fuses and maybe a 50A one in the same style as used in the fuse panel of most cars. Just hop over to Auto Zone, Pep Boys or similar and pick up a few that have the same prong spacing as the 30A in there now. I don't think you'll blow a 40-45A fuse very easily with this amp. It probably draws just under 50A's when the amp is really working hard.
Good luck,
Swez
PS That 30A fuse will blow frequently with this new amp. It'll be fine if you go easy on the HU volume, but it will blow when you stand on it hard.
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