amp shuts down and then turns back up when I lower volume

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

system can keep up with draw? Please give me a bit more detai

your alternator makes power, battery stores power, wire lets power flow through. Your alt only makes a certain amount of power and most of it goes to your car, there's barely any left for audio and accessories. Amp does not get enough power, amp goes to protect and dies eventually. All of this you can just google up man.

 

---------- Post added at 09:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:24 AM ----------

 

whenever you have time, educate yourself.

Basic Car Audio Electronics

 

[mrpep]

your alternator makes power, battery stores power, wire lets power flow through. Your alt only makes a certain amount of power and most of it goes to your car, there's barely any left for audio and accessories. Amp does not get enough power, amp goes to protect and dies eventually. All of this you can just google up man. 

---------- Post added at 09:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:24 AM ----------

 

whenever you have time, educate yourself.

Basic Car Audio Electronics

I am starting to believe that it is the alternator because if my headlights are on the amp shuts off at 25 volume setting but if they are off I can get 30. I have not tested the terminals with multi-meter , I don't like to turn up sound in my neighborhood, its like saying " hey rob me". I called auto-zone and it turns out that the biggest alternator they sell is 145 amps. I have no clue what my alternator is but I will be researching this. A called a local audio shop and they told me that I need a second battery , its little thing but Im still researching to see what the ideal and economical way to fix this will be. Any more suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

Don't buy anything until you know what the problem is. follow the steps given by those in here. Don't be a fool and go spend hundreds of dollars on something that isn't a sure fix. I would get voltage drops into the low 11s and sometimes 10s (lol) and my amp wouldnt shut off, but then again - kicker isn't alpine. You didn't even check to see if the amp was hot and that's why it turned off nor have you checked your voltage drop at the amp terminals.

 

[mrpep]

The van is overloaded with electronics since it is a conversion van and I added a 24'' lcd and a bluray player but lets test as you all suggested. Once I do test and lets say that I am not getting a consistent 12volts, what would that mean ? Alternator?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I am starting to believe that it is the alternator because if my headlights are on the amp shuts off at 25 volume setting but if they are off I can get 30. I have not tested the terminals with multi-meter , I don't like to turn up sound in my neighborhood, its like saying " hey rob me". I called auto-zone and it turns out that the biggest alternator they sell is 145 amps. I have no clue what my alternator is but I will be researching this. A called a local audio shop and they told me that I need a second battery , its little thing but Im still researching to see what the ideal and economical way to fix this will be. Any more suggestions will be appreciated.

Singer, dc power, mechman, ohio generator, js ultimate alts, excessive amperage are your go to sources for alts. Autozone alts are a joke. Check the voltages at the amp before investing in a high output alt. It does sound like you are running a lot of accessories.

 

[mrpep]

Singer, dc power, mechman, ohio generator, js ultimate alts, excessive amperage are your go to sources for alts. Autozone alts are a joke. Check the voltages at the amp before investing in a high output alt. It does sound like you are running a lot of accessories.

Do i test at he alternator with sound up loud? And yes, there is a lot going on, there are two stereos, my HU and there is a separate wall stereo for the kids in back section with headphone jacks at seats in rear, there are lights on ceilings and walls and I am using a converter to power the tv and bluray player. Then I have my 2 amps and things...

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

Your problem is with the amp, test your voltage drop at the amp with EVERYTHING running on max.

 

[mstockt1]

I was having the same issue with an amp last week. (This post will do nothing for you if there is not both level and gain). In the description of the amplifier it says there is a input sensitivity level and a speaker level adjustment. have you stride tuning the speaker level all the way down, and turning the input level all the way down, turn you head unit to you listening level. Then use the input sensitivity level to adjust it, leaving the speaker level alone. I bought an original big bang zetar planet audio amp, it has the gain and level. It wouldn't shut off, but the sound would become very minimal and some times a click from the speakers due to the input sensitivity not being set properly.

 

[negolien]

Might as well do a big three upgrade not that expensive and it helps a lot even with stock alt and batteries.

 

[mrpep]

So I bought a yellow optima battery and no more dimming and it holds over 14 volts even when iPod d on the amp. I will still do the big 3 but plan on using 4 gage since I have some laying around . Hope it's ok and hope I can get just a bit more performance out of it. Thanks all and I will post