Help: Noob, may have messed up...

[zjohnson1]

I got my system all wired up (Stock 1994 Acura Legend HU with LOC, 4ga Knukonceptz power wire to USX-4085 amp, CDT CL-62 components, and a Nakamichi 10" subwoofer) Headunit is temporary. All my wiring looked good so I went to check the front components before I connected the sub. The amp didn't come on so I turned everything off and started checking my wires with a multimeter. Ground and power were good, switched power was fine as well. Hooked it all up to try again, power cable last. Genius me forgot to disconnect the battery this time, sparks and smoke ensued when I began to connect and I freaked. Immediately stopped and turned everything off. Opened up the amp to find this:

View attachment 26527742

View attachment 26527743

Saw stuff coated in that black soot. I started brushing it off and pretty much everything looks fine except for those few resistors that popped up in the corner. What are those? Did I totally mess up my amp? 30a plug in fuses are still good. Just for grins I tried power again and the 80a AGU in line fuse blew.

Any idea what my issue could be? (Obviously those blown resistors now in addition to what it was before...) Would new resistors from radio shack or something work for those or do I need something special? I feel so stupid right now.lol

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[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

I hate to be the one to tell you but you just toasted that amp and judging by your questions you do not have the skills necessary to repair it. You can either pay someone to fix it or sell it as "blown."

 

[zjohnson1]

What exactly caused it to blow though, so I can prevent that from happening again? I've wired multiple setups before this and never had any issues

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

the magic smoke has been released!!

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[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

What exactly caused it to blow though, so I can prevent that from happening again? I've wired multiple setups before this and never had any issues

Read your original post, the answer should be obvious. Trying to stick a live 12V wire into an amplifier is a no-no.

 

[zjohnson1]

Read your original post, the answer should be obvious. Trying to stick a live 12V wire into an amplifier is a no-no.

Thats what I thought... Stupidity on my end. I'll either give repairing the amp a go, or have someone else do it. Should just be those few resistors I assume. FML. I am semi competent with boards seeing as I'm a Georgia Tech engineering student though. But I still don't know the original issue.

 

[ColterDC 10+ year member]

But I still don't know the original issue.

Possible that the amp was dead before you electrocuted it??

 

[zjohnson1]

Think I found the problem. The grounds on the board were very weak at best, also found a shorted mosfet on the other side of the board in additon to the ones I blew. This thing was destined to fail. Just glad I caught it like this rather than see my car go up in flames

 

[Ronny 10+ year member]

When repairing amplifiers you will find that there is 2x more components that might need replacement than just what you see as being charred.

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

When repairing amplifiers you will find that there is 2x more components that might need replacement than just what you see as being charred.

that^^

don't disappoint yourself trying to fix it by yourself.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

OP as others have said there will be more components damaged then just the visible ones. The circuit was damaged, and even if you're competent with a soldering iron I doubt you have the necessary electrical knowledge to properly troubleshoot the amp. If your looking for a project you can try but just know from the beginning there's a good chance the amplifier will be worse off when you're done with it (possibly a total loss if you screw up too bad).

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

Bummer:\ I've made the mistake of hooking up my amps with a live wire multiple times and never had any such problem.

 

[ColterDC 10+ year member]

Interesting how this relates to the thread about disconnecting the battery when doing installs. Better safe than sorry.

OP, you can try to fix it yourself, but in my experience it's better in the long run to just get a new one and chaulk it up as a learning experience.