How can I test my Amp's Output?

[iLL Ridge 10+ year member]

I want to test and see what wattage my amp is actually making. I have tested at the spkr outputs using a dmm running test tones. Got a max 75 volts ac at the terminals.

amp in question is a pg 1200.1 rsd. I'm running 4 ga wire with a battery in the rear and one under the hood, stock altenator. I have no dimming whatsoever.

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[snoop562 10+ year member]

try this DDAudio.com | Digital Designs : Speakers Made in the USA

 

[SpeedEuphoria 10+ year member]

for 1200 watts at 2 ohm you set the amp for 49VAC with a 50hz or 60hz test tone. You can go with a -3db tone or even -5db and should be fine

@75 volts your clipping

If you want to see how much power it puts out before clipping you need an oscilloscope

 

[SpiderX1016 10+ year member]

for 1200 watts at 2 ohm you set the amp for 49VAC with a 50hz or 60hz test tone. You can go with a -3db tone or even -5db and should be fine
@75 volts your clipping

If you want to see how much power it puts out before clipping you need an oscilloscope

I know how to get the Voltage Desired but I was wondering, lets say its 2 ohms with 2 subwoofers connected. Would you do 1,200 watts x (2 ohms or the total resistance with box rise)?

 

[benzmansl65amg 10+ year member]

Dmm

 

[TrlcKed_OuT 10+ year member]

yes you go watts x ohm squared...example 1200 watts at 2ohms = 2400watts square root would be 49ac volts for max 1200 watts but that wont tell you if its a clean signal or if its clipping...using an oscilliscope you can just turn the gains up until you see the clipping and then whatever volts your at say you got 52volts before clipping then 52x52 would be 2704 and then divide that by your 2ohm load and you would have a clean output of 1352watts on your 1200 watt amp....

 

[Shinju 10+ year member]

You will need a clamp meter and dummy load, There was a great video on Googletube that had a really good tutorial on doing this. Do a search for it, might still be up.

 

[TrlcKed_OuT 10+ year member]

you dont need a dummy load to set your gains...you set it for max power on an open curcuit and...but you do set it for the load your are using....

 

[Shinju 10+ year member]

I want to test and see what wattage my amp is actually making. I have tested at the spkr outputs using a dmm running test tones. Got a max 75 volts ac at the terminals.amp in question is a pg 1200.1 rsd. I'm running 4 ga wire with a battery in the rear and one under the hood, stock altenator. I have no dimming whatsoever.

re read the bold please.

you dont need a dummy load to set your gains...you set it for max power on an open curcuit and...but you do set it for the load your are using....

 

[TrlcKed_OuT 10+ year member]

ok well heck you can proably make it put out 2000+ watts, you need a oscilliscope to chec what it will actually put out cleanly

 

[Shinju 10+ year member]

ok well heck you can proably make it put out 2000+ watts, you need a oscilliscope to chec what it will actually put out cleanly

Yep O-scope is a must for a clean power test //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif, the op's question is quite vague lol.

 

[TrlcKed_OuT 10+ year member]

ok well if he has max volts at 75volts well at 2ohms thats 2812.5 watts...no way in heck that is clean non clipping power, only way to check is with an oscilliscope

 

[Shinju 10+ year member]

Ugh if thats the case he is going to melt the subs with all that square wave and ruin a pretty solid amp too.

 

[TrlcKed_OuT 10+ year member]

lol ya hopefully hes smart enough to just keep it at 38volts which is 1200watts at 2ohm until he can get it checked out..now if you set the gains with a 40hz -0db tone you will most likely always see less volts if you check it while playing music but you wont ever clip it...

 

[iLL Ridge 10+ year member]

Yeah on 40hz test tones with the subs hooked up I barely get 40-50v iirc. It's clean up to that point, amp power will decrease if you try to push the volume or gain level up any more- with a load attached.