Gain....And i even used the SEARCH button

[PartyInThRanger 10+ year member]

Ok i understand how to use a DMM to set the gain but how do i know what voltage to get it to?

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[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

V=sqrt(watts*impedence)

V = volts to set the gain to

sqrt = Squart root

Watts = RMS Wattage output of your amplifier

Impedence = The final impedence that your amplifier will see

So, for example, if you have a 600w mono amp running into a 2ohm load, the gain would be set to sqrt(600*2) = 34.6V

http://forums.caraudio.com/vb/showthread.php?t=63933

 

[sumone 10+ year member]

^ what he said...just in case....

P = Power in Watts

I = Current in Amps

V = EMF in Volts

R = Resistance (or Nominal Impedance) in Ohms

Power: P = I x V

Current: I = V / R

Power in terms of Voltage & Resistance:

P = V/R x V

P = (V^2)/R

 

[Scarenius 10+ year member]

To get pink noise to use:

http://www.moshier.net/pink.html

My theory is this would be an easier way to determine the voltage, since with normal music voltage can change very drastically very quickly.

 

[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

ok my question is, is the voltage equal to the impedance of the subs or the final impedance? b/c i'm running a kicker kx1200.1@1ohm w/ 2 dual 4ohm subs and i'm supposedly sposed to set it to like 32volts? if it's the impedence of the subs itself then i'd set it to like 70..someone clarify for me?

 

[dkguitarist 5,000+ posts]

ok yeah mine was refurbished but rated at 1478 or 1487. can't remember. so it'd be sqrt(1478*1)=38volts. thanks alot for clarifying it jmac. first thing tomorrow i'll go reset it. originally we had it set to 60 or 70. it's all still new to me. heh.

 

[dan7532 10+ year member]

If I have an amp that puts out say, 1000w but I only want to run 800w to my sub, can I just plug 800 into the "wattage" variable when setting my gain?

 

[g30ffr3y 10+ year member]

yes... the gain setting isnt just for taking the

absolute most power out of your amp... its

for getting the right power to your subs...

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

To get pink noise to use:http://www.moshier.net/pink.html

My theory is this would be an easier way to determine the voltage, since with normal music voltage can change very drastically very quickly.

Pink noise is used for checking frequency response or power bandwidth with a spectrum analyzer, but it's a lousy choice for power or gain checking with a DMM. Use a fixed frequency sine wave on a CD, 50 Hz for sub amps or 400 Hz for speaker amps.

 

[dan7532 10+ year member]

yes... the gain setting isnt just for taking the absolute most power out of your amp... its

for getting the right power to your subs...

Yup, just use 800 watts ...
800@4 ohms = 56.6 volts

800@2 ohms = 40 volts

800@1 ohm = 28.3 volts

Thanks dudes.