I have a 4 channel JVC amp and a 4 channel kenwood amp. They both get hot extremely fast. The JVC is running my highs and mids and the Kenwood is running a MA audio dual voice coil 10" sub. They keep over heating and shutting off. I have a fan on the Kenwood but that only works for a short period of time. Please shed some light on this problem.
Thank you.
Replies (18)
ttocs on 05/8/2006 18:36:12
overheating is normally caused by having too low of an impedence load on the amps, causing them to get hot fast. You can also try kicking the gain down a bit....
What kind of speakers?
JayMizzel76 on 05/9/2006 08:05:02
MA Audio dual voice coil 10" sub. I have it wired in series I think. Right now its not getting hot as long as I have a fan on it. Why would the amp on the highs and mids overheat? They aren't bridged or anything. Just a question...
swez on 05/9/2006 10:38:20
Good chance your gains are set too high on the full range amp. They may also not be geeting enough voltage either. If you have a DC voltmeter, check the voltage at the BAT terminals and then check the power at both amp terminals. If you see a voltage drop of more than 0.5 volts, this may be an issue to address with a larger main feed line.
These subs, what are the coil ratings? (2+2 or 4+4 DVC's) The ideal setup, is a net 4 ohms per sub. (2+2 DVC's in series per bridged channel) Do you understand how to bridge a 4 channel amp to a stronger 2 channel configuration?
If you have a pair of 4+4 DVC's, the best you can do here, is to wire each sub coil in series, (8 ohms) and 1 sub per bridged channel off that amp.
If you can budget for a Class D sub amp, this would be a more efficient setup for them. The key here, is to know what subs (Make and Model #) you have now. From there, we can pass on same amp recommendations to consider later.
Swez
JayMizzel76 on 05/9/2006 10:44:57
Well, I only have one sub. Let me look up the actual model number and everything and get back to you. How do you bridge a 4 channel amp to a stronger 2 channel config? i want to make sure we are on the same page.
swez on 05/9/2006 12:14:41
I hope you have a 4+4 DVC here. That makes a perfect 4 ohms per each bridged amp grouping: 1&2; 3&4 are bridged and you get a strong 2 channel amp. Each channel powers 1 coil of your DVC sub. The key is getting the same signal voltage to each coil. This is done with a test tone CD and adjusting gains to get the target voltage to each coil.
Have a look at this:
http://www.bcae1.com/bridging.htm
Diagram D is what you want to concentrate on. It shows a 2 channel amp, bridged to MONO and one 4 ohm sub coil. In your case, that 4 channel amp will basically be used as dual MONO amps. Each MONO amp, drives one sub coil.
Comments?
Swez
JayMizzel76 on 05/9/2006 12:25:25
No disrespect but that link lost me when they started talking about waves. My eyes began to cross. LOL
JayMizzel76 on 05/9/2006 12:33:02
• 350W Rms
• 700W Max
• Dual 4-Ohm Voice Coils
• 180 Oz. Double Stacked Magnets
• Mounting Depth: 5.6”
• Mounting Diameter: 9.3’
Here is the link of the amp that's pushing it.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=14872
Here is the link that may provide you with more info on the sub
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=14944
MrBrownstone on 05/9/2006 13:02:13
The Kenwood amp is 200Wx1 @ 4ohms. That AB class amp is probably overheating because you are using the maximum amount of power it was ever intended to provide.
Also, let's look at WHERE you have your amps installed. Where are they physically located in the car? Strapped to the subbox? under the seat, etc.
That may be why they are shuttin down as well.
JayMizzel76 on 05/9/2006 13:51:51
It is currently located on the floor of the trunk. It used to be mounted on the top of the sub box.
Victor on 05/9/2006 15:20:57
its simple a wiring mishap.....
That sub is 4ohm DVC,
The amp can take loads only upto 4Omhs in bridged mode,
What I see here is the subs Voice coils wired in parallel to the bridged channel @ 2ohms,,,
This is making your amp heat up..
Victor..
MrBrownstone on 05/9/2006 17:46:13
I mistakenly thought he has 2 subs. Nice Catch Victor.
swez on 05/9/2006 18:59:24
Glad you provided the amp specs. I read this post thinking both amps are 4 channels. But after looking at the link and specs, this amp is really pretty small for this sub.
The best you can do right now, is run each coil to its own channel. Then set gain to get the most clean bass possible, w/o overheating the amp. A Class D sub amp would be a better choice in the future. If you plan on using dual subs at a later point, make sure your new amp is 1 ohm stable.
Got all that?
Swez
JayMizzel76 on 05/10/2006 08:16:34
Thanks. Yeah, it was a temporary amp until I could afford better.
Which one of these would be the best fit?
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=14032
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=16895
swez on 05/10/2006 09:04:44
This amp is best suited for your sub. It's a bit on the strong side, so your set up of this amp will be key to getting plenty of bass power to the sub, but not fry the sub.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=14933
This amp can produce 500 watts RMS @ 2 ohms. Your sub is rated at 350 RMS. This will give you a noticable boost in bass output over what you have now. Proper care in gain setting is important here, or you'll risk frying that sub.
Swez
JayMizzel76 on 05/10/2006 09:15:44
What would be better? The current sub with your suggested amp or this sub with one of the amps I suggested?
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=14951
swez on 05/10/2006 09:29:25
Stay with your present sub and suggested amp. It's not difficult to adjust amp gain setting to match the power of your present sub.
This amp has again control range of 0.2 -5.0 volts. If your HU voltage is 4 volts, set amp gain between 4.0 - 5.0 volts and you should be OK.
Swez
JayMizzel76 on 05/10/2006 09:43:02
Ok. Thanks. Now all I need is a good head unit.
Which one do you suggest. I usually stick to Kenwood or JVC but I spotted this one and it caught my eye.
Tell me what you think and if there is a better one I should be on the look out for.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=15596
swez on 05/10/2006 10:57:05
Very nice features here bud. The "music catcher" feature is kinda nice as you can build a nice playlist of favorites, stored in RAM. That 128MB Ram will net 20-30 stored songs, depending on bit rate (192 is CD quality) and length of cut.
Am curious about the EQ features here. It says 2 band parametric and 4 presets are available. It also has an AUX input for MP3/MD or other Aux audio inputs. Nice HU!!!
Swez
Thank you.
Replies (18)
ttocs on 05/8/2006 18:36:12
overheating is normally caused by having too low of an impedence load on the amps, causing them to get hot fast. You can also try kicking the gain down a bit....
What kind of speakers?
JayMizzel76 on 05/9/2006 08:05:02
MA Audio dual voice coil 10" sub. I have it wired in series I think. Right now its not getting hot as long as I have a fan on it. Why would the amp on the highs and mids overheat? They aren't bridged or anything. Just a question...
swez on 05/9/2006 10:38:20
Good chance your gains are set too high on the full range amp. They may also not be geeting enough voltage either. If you have a DC voltmeter, check the voltage at the BAT terminals and then check the power at both amp terminals. If you see a voltage drop of more than 0.5 volts, this may be an issue to address with a larger main feed line.
These subs, what are the coil ratings? (2+2 or 4+4 DVC's) The ideal setup, is a net 4 ohms per sub. (2+2 DVC's in series per bridged channel) Do you understand how to bridge a 4 channel amp to a stronger 2 channel configuration?
If you have a pair of 4+4 DVC's, the best you can do here, is to wire each sub coil in series, (8 ohms) and 1 sub per bridged channel off that amp.
If you can budget for a Class D sub amp, this would be a more efficient setup for them. The key here, is to know what subs (Make and Model #) you have now. From there, we can pass on same amp recommendations to consider later.
Swez
JayMizzel76 on 05/9/2006 10:44:57
Well, I only have one sub. Let me look up the actual model number and everything and get back to you. How do you bridge a 4 channel amp to a stronger 2 channel config? i want to make sure we are on the same page.
swez on 05/9/2006 12:14:41
I hope you have a 4+4 DVC here. That makes a perfect 4 ohms per each bridged amp grouping: 1&2; 3&4 are bridged and you get a strong 2 channel amp. Each channel powers 1 coil of your DVC sub. The key is getting the same signal voltage to each coil. This is done with a test tone CD and adjusting gains to get the target voltage to each coil.
Have a look at this:
http://www.bcae1.com/bridging.htm
Diagram D is what you want to concentrate on. It shows a 2 channel amp, bridged to MONO and one 4 ohm sub coil. In your case, that 4 channel amp will basically be used as dual MONO amps. Each MONO amp, drives one sub coil.
Comments?
Swez
JayMizzel76 on 05/9/2006 12:25:25
No disrespect but that link lost me when they started talking about waves. My eyes began to cross. LOL
JayMizzel76 on 05/9/2006 12:33:02
• 350W Rms
• 700W Max
• Dual 4-Ohm Voice Coils
• 180 Oz. Double Stacked Magnets
• Mounting Depth: 5.6”
• Mounting Diameter: 9.3’
Here is the link of the amp that's pushing it.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=14872
Here is the link that may provide you with more info on the sub
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=14944
MrBrownstone on 05/9/2006 13:02:13
The Kenwood amp is 200Wx1 @ 4ohms. That AB class amp is probably overheating because you are using the maximum amount of power it was ever intended to provide.
Also, let's look at WHERE you have your amps installed. Where are they physically located in the car? Strapped to the subbox? under the seat, etc.
That may be why they are shuttin down as well.
JayMizzel76 on 05/9/2006 13:51:51
It is currently located on the floor of the trunk. It used to be mounted on the top of the sub box.
Victor on 05/9/2006 15:20:57
its simple a wiring mishap.....
That sub is 4ohm DVC,
The amp can take loads only upto 4Omhs in bridged mode,
What I see here is the subs Voice coils wired in parallel to the bridged channel @ 2ohms,,,
This is making your amp heat up..
Victor..
MrBrownstone on 05/9/2006 17:46:13
I mistakenly thought he has 2 subs. Nice Catch Victor.
swez on 05/9/2006 18:59:24
Glad you provided the amp specs. I read this post thinking both amps are 4 channels. But after looking at the link and specs, this amp is really pretty small for this sub.
The best you can do right now, is run each coil to its own channel. Then set gain to get the most clean bass possible, w/o overheating the amp. A Class D sub amp would be a better choice in the future. If you plan on using dual subs at a later point, make sure your new amp is 1 ohm stable.
Got all that?
Swez
JayMizzel76 on 05/10/2006 08:16:34
Thanks. Yeah, it was a temporary amp until I could afford better.
Which one of these would be the best fit?
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=14032
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=16895
swez on 05/10/2006 09:04:44
This amp is best suited for your sub. It's a bit on the strong side, so your set up of this amp will be key to getting plenty of bass power to the sub, but not fry the sub.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=14933
This amp can produce 500 watts RMS @ 2 ohms. Your sub is rated at 350 RMS. This will give you a noticable boost in bass output over what you have now. Proper care in gain setting is important here, or you'll risk frying that sub.
Swez
JayMizzel76 on 05/10/2006 09:15:44
What would be better? The current sub with your suggested amp or this sub with one of the amps I suggested?
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=14951
swez on 05/10/2006 09:29:25
Stay with your present sub and suggested amp. It's not difficult to adjust amp gain setting to match the power of your present sub.
This amp has again control range of 0.2 -5.0 volts. If your HU voltage is 4 volts, set amp gain between 4.0 - 5.0 volts and you should be OK.
Swez
JayMizzel76 on 05/10/2006 09:43:02
Ok. Thanks. Now all I need is a good head unit.
Which one do you suggest. I usually stick to Kenwood or JVC but I spotted this one and it caught my eye.
Tell me what you think and if there is a better one I should be on the look out for.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=15596
swez on 05/10/2006 10:57:05
Very nice features here bud. The "music catcher" feature is kinda nice as you can build a nice playlist of favorites, stored in RAM. That 128MB Ram will net 20-30 stored songs, depending on bit rate (192 is CD quality) and length of cut.
Am curious about the EQ features here. It says 2 band parametric and 4 presets are available. It also has an AUX input for MP3/MD or other Aux audio inputs. Nice HU!!!
Swez
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