Class A/B amp in summer months?

[Chrisrizzy]

Obviously, Class A/B amplifiers run warmer than a Class D due to a lack of efficiency. In normal conditions I would figure that's not an issue, but what about when it hits the mid 80s to high 90s? Will the amp then get too hot causing damage over time or are they made for that? I'd prefer not to ruin an amp...

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[shredder1 10+ year member]

Watch your minimum impedance and you should be fine... This is a sure way to kill your amp in any conditions... by exceeding the minimum impedance... you can get away with it for awhile in some applications but this is why there are impedance guidelines for any amplifier... best to not play around with your amplifiers life...

Especially old school A/B amps... I've been told that most of those limit output as part of their protection anyways. A 2 ch 2 ohm minimum stereo amp may endure a 2 ohm mono load for awhile but will probably be on borrowed time. I live in Phoenix and I've never had an issue with thermal shutdown. I've also paid special attention to how my amps are loaded as well. I never want to smell that in my ride... as I am sure you don't either!

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

itll be fine, many ran class a/b amps for years before class d without issues..

 

[ChaseinBass]

Watch your minimum impedance and you should be fine... This is a sure way to kill your amp in any conditions... by exceeding the minimum impedance... you can get away with it for awhile in some applications but this is why there are impedance guidelines for any amplifier... best to not play around with your amplifiers life...Especially old school A/B amps... I've been told that most of those limit output as part of their protection anyways. A 2 ch 2 ohm minimum stereo amp may endure a 2 ohm mono load for awhile but will probably be on borrowed time. I live in Phoenix and I've never had an issue with thermal shutdown. I've also paid special attention to how my amps are loaded as well. I never want to smell that in my ride... as I am sure you don't either!

LOL i still get an occasional whiff of my 7k that went up in smoke in my truck and your right its an awful smell.

 

[Chrisrizzy]

Watch your minimum impedance and you should be fine... This is a sure way to kill your amp in any conditions... by exceeding the minimum impedance... you can get away with it for awhile in some applications but this is why there are impedance guidelines for any amplifier... best to not play around with your amplifiers life...Especially old school A/B amps... I've been told that most of those limit output as part of their protection anyways. A 2 ch 2 ohm minimum stereo amp may endure a 2 ohm mono load for awhile but will probably be on borrowed time. I live in Phoenix and I've never had an issue with thermal shutdown. I've also paid special attention to how my amps are loaded as well. I never want to smell that in my ride... as I am sure you don't either!

Well my amp is minimum 2 ohm, but I am not running it for a mono load, instead powering a pair of components (don't worry it is a fully range amp). Is that better or worse than running it mono? I have gains set properly, actually less than necessary, HPF set at 80 and I rarely go past 1/2 volume so hopefully that helps keep it on the right track. I actually had to return it a couple weeks after it was installed for a replacement because where the RCAs connect went to crap somehow lol

 

[shredder1 10+ year member]

2 ohm stereo is 4 ohm mono... you're using 4 ohm stereo so don't sweat it... just don't go lower than 2 ohms stereo and it'll be just like everyone else's...

Doin' just fine... 90 outside is not hot... I've demo'd a UHC 150 db system in 110 degree heat for hours and still pushed it to the limit in the lanes... put up decent #'s and

never blinked twice... Go by your amps ratings and you'll do fine... Don't overthink this or buy trouble... if you're at 4 ohm stereo... You're good to go!

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Plenty of air circulation and don't go below it's impedance loads, and should be fine.

 

[Chrisrizzy]

Thanks guys. I understand 90 outside isn't super hot, but in the trunk of a car versus an SUV it is worse lol. It's Velcroed to the floor, but hopefully mounting it to the sides other some painted MDF will prove to keep it cooler

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

If the amp has enough heat sink it will be fine. Heat sinks are supposed to get hot.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Thanks guys. I understand 90 outside isn't super hot, but in the trunk of a car versus an SUV it is worse lol. It's Velcroed to the floor, but hopefully mounting it to the sides other some painted MDF will prove to keep it cooler

It will help to place 4-6 washers or a 1/2" rubber grommet under each foot mount to raise the amplifier off the surface to get some air circulation underneath a little bit,keeps from getting heated less from a flatt surface.Ive used A/B amps for years, and still do in most cases,and this has worked for me for years,and my ams are still performing just fine for 15+ years.if it still seems too hot for you and you still think you would like to keep them running a bit cooler.Being raised, Ive always place a scroll fan to keep air moving at all times. Easy to install and worth the $15-30 bucks..Ground to ground, and + to remote so when your system On/Off so does the fan along with the amps.Try the washers or some rubber grommets first, may be all you need

 

[Chrisrizzy]

Thanks for the tip man. I have heard of using rubber washers before but definitely overlooked that here.