Amp goes into protect mode with high bass

[JoeK 10+ year member]

Before i begin, please dont redicule me, im new and i **** at all this amplifier stuff. I have the Lanzar MXA 284 2chan amplifier. I am running 2 12" 400W RMS clarion subwoofers off of this, each on a channel.

I have an RCA converter tapped off my rear speakers since i do not want to upgrade my head deck. The gains on this converter are set all the way to +. If i have the bass on the stock HU over +1 (goes up to +6), the amp will trip within 2 minutes of riding. Also, if i turn up the bass boost to anything above 0dB, it will also trip. It wont trip during bass drops, usually during silent periods, seeing as i cant tell exactly when they cut out, but when the bass just doesnt sound like it should on certain music types.

With the bass at +1, i can turn the volume to 100% with no trip in the amplifier. The amp has sub-sonic and crossover, for which i have no idea how to properly use.

How could i rectify this and debug the issue?

---UPDATE: I did further testing, it ONLY cuts our when the bass suddenly stops, whether i change the track or if a bassline suddenly drops. If it eases out, its fine. A sudden stop in bass causes it to go into protect. If i pull out the RCA cables during bass, it does the same thing. If i pull the cables out when there is no bass, it stays green.

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[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

whats the model number of your subs?how big is your power feed also?8/4/2/0ga?

 

[JoeK 10+ year member]

whats the model number of your subs?how big is your power feed also?8/4/2/0ga?

I cannot find a model # on the subs anywhere on the unit itself, its an older model. Sorry i cannot find that, i do know they are 350W RMS/750W peak, Single VC 4 OHM each. Power from battery to amp is 4ga.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

you using stock hu, with a built in amplfier?what vehicle..

 

[JoeK 10+ year member]

No built in amplifier. Im running stock HU->RCA converter(Scosche SLC4)->Lanzar MXA 284 (Its a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville 2003 SSE standard audio package)

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

I cannot find a model # on the subs anywhere on the unit itself, its an older model. Sorry i cannot find that, i do know they are 350W RMS/750W peak, Single VC 4 OHM each. Power from battery to amp is 4ga.

as stated earlier..you are running ea. sub of ea amp ch, in which tells me you are running in stereo mode more than likely @4ohms, in which is fine/min other than 8ohms

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

No built in amplifier. Im running stock HU->RCA converter(Scosche SLC4)->Lanzar MXA 284 (Its a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville 2003 SSE standard audio package)

let me look some stuff up, and see what i can find out..//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[JoeK 10+ year member]

let me look some stuff up, and see what i can find out..//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

If i bridge both 4ohm speakers, what would the impedence be?

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

If i bridge both 4ohm speakers, what would the impedence be?

be 2ohms bridged....= + to +,- to -

 

[JoeK 10+ year member]

be 2ohms bridged....= + to +,- to -

My manual says 4ohms load MINIMUM, in which direction is minimum, would the 2ohm load be fine? I'll bridge these tomorrow to see if it works better with a lower load

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

well i looked your amp up, and the converter..seems to me that you need a better converter...it states its only 80watts max x4, and just being @4ohms stereo, you are at min of 300x2@4ohms stereo out of the 80x2 maxed. i dont feel that by looking at both the amp specs, and the converter specs, that they are compatable..the voltage should be fine for signal,its when you crank it up beyond the 80 max per ch, that the converter is not able to handle anymore of the wattage you are trying to feed through it.the specs on that amp look fantastic ..especially for the price paid.look for another converter is my opinion

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

My manual says 4ohms load MINIMUM, in which direction is minimum, would the 2ohm load be fine? I'll bridge these tomorrow to see if it works better with a lower load

2ohms bridged is going to draw more power...you will be in a mono mode rather than stereo, and drawing more juice...you coming out of the rear section of the converter or front? got it wired to speaker wires from front, or rear? i really think you need a different converter though by the reading ive done, and specs i looked at

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

i did have an issue with a 2000 camero that i hooked one of these up in the rear, and come to find out...the stock hu did have the built in amp, and to save a headache, i just bought a $60 sony and threw in there, and never had an issue now thinking back. some other than me may be able to pop in and know which converter to get that will work that i do not know offor that hu..if there were room to install that converter before the wiring went to the stock amp supply, would be ideal of course

 

[JoeK 10+ year member]

That would be great for a new converter, if the price is right. I cannot replace my HU due to requiring a dremel and onstar and steering wheel brackets and all that fun stuff. Ill get a pro to do that, but not for months.

 

[Haunz 10+ year member]

well i looked your amp up, and the converter..seems to me that you need a better converter...it states its only 80watts max x4, and just being @4ohms stereo, you are at min of 300x2@4ohms stereo out of the 80x2 maxed.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess the 80 watt rating of the converter is used to describe the maximum voltage you can put to its inputs... ie. assuming they are considering 80 'peak' watts into 4ohms then feeding it with more then 13v RMS may damage it...

OP check all your power and ground connections to make sure they are clean and tight, and that your cables are of sufficient size... If all is good there then you are simply asking too much of the amplifier and its shutting down because you are clipping it...