Amplifier going into protection mode

[emmyedge]

This seems to be a common issue that I have had over my past two cars I've owned plus the past two Amps that I have owned. I do not remember the brand and info on the last amplifier due to how long ago I had it, but I currently have a Pyramid PB918 2,000-Watt 2-Channel running two Sony Xplod 12 inch 1200w subs off of it. When they have been on for about a 1/2 hour or if they music is up too loud the Amp goes into protection mode. This happened with my last amp as well as my last car I owned. I currently own a 09 Jetta TDI running a basic 12v battery, which is brand new plus a brand new alternator. (I will note that after installing my brand new battery, the fuse that is connected to the battery wire to the amp actually caught fire after the amplifier did not, for once, go into power protection mode, I have since replaced that fuse holder and a 60amp fuse) I have the settings on the Amp basically as low as they can possibly go without turning everything off but that didn't seem to help. It seems if I actually want the bass to hit the amp is going to go into protection mode. Ground is fine, all wires are fine. (trust me, I've made sure of this several times) I just need a suggestion of what to do. Have run both amp and subs, with settings applied to a much higher point, in my boyfriends truck and have not come across this issue. Why does it do this in just my cars? (p.s. old car was a 2000 nissan altima)

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[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

please take the time to read this article: Series Parallel Speaker Impedance

you will get flamed because the equipment you're using is not high quality, it is cheap (no offense to you, everyone starts somewhere). boss and pyramid are shat on by nearly everyone here - but its with good reason because they truly do suck.

the likely reason why you're going into protect is from wiring your amplifier to too low of a final ohm load. the first article will explain why in detail and educate you a little bit on the requirements for properly wiring your amp.

I highly recommend you consider a better amp and sub set up, what you have is not going to give you anywhere near what is real bass and that amp is probably not putting out any more than 200w.

 

[emmyedge]

Yes but as I have stated, same wiring, same set up has been put into a different vehicle for no problem.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Yes but as I have stated, same wiring, same set up has been put into a different vehicle for no problem.

Same head unit? Gain is meant to match the pre out voltage of the head unit

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

that just means that their car is able to provide enough current for that amp to put up with the amp being wired too low. you need to verify the ohm load, as I have stated. Wiring too low can cause excessive current draw causing the amp to protect from low voltage.

if we don't know whether your amp is wired properly to the right load, we can't help diagnose why this is happening.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Bad ground also can case this

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

Get a DMM and do some basic test...too many variables ...A basic volt meter can be bought at Wal-Mart for $20 it will; do the job just fine

 

[emmyedge]

that just means that their car is able to provide enough current for that amp to put up with the amp being wired too low. you need to verify the ohm load, as I have stated. Wiring too low can cause excessive current draw causing the amp to protect from low voltage.
if we don't know whether your amp is wired properly to the right load, we can't help diagnose why this is happening.

I have a test meter. How do I test it? How do I know if the levels are right or wrong?

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

you dont really need the meter. if you read the article I asked you politely to read earlier you would be able to check the final load of your amp easily.

some people here will hold your hand through it, but you're plenty capable of researching with the resources i provided //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif