How do I check if how many watts my amp is actually putting out?

[Mugen 10+ year member]

I have the BXi 1206D, and I've been told it's probably overrated. It doesn't really matter that much, but I'd like to see how much it's actually putting out //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Click to read more...

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

use a DMM and play a test tone like 50 hz or maybe 45 hz then put the head unit up just before it clips bass at +6 mids at 0 and highs at 0, bass boost off! then turn the gain up till you hear the amp clip like distortion in the sub you have to be up close to the sub like trunk open when you do the test then back off the gain till you hear the sound clean then read the number on the DMM then take that number times itself then divide by 3.8 the resistence of a 4 ohm sub usually, and you'll get your watts. you'll be surprised how overrated some amps are

 

[Mugen 10+ year member]

What setting will that be on the DMM? I just set my gains and everything (using Jmac's awesome guide up there with -3 dB test tones). Which setting is for watts on it though (like AV volt is the ~, what's watts symbol).

 

[ramos 5,000+ posts]

You need a true rms clamp meter , and a dmm to find out how much power your amp is putting out . Dmm goes on the pos neg speaker terminals for Voltage . Clamp the positive speaker leads for Amperage . Burp a test tone, and either read the meters while burping or have someone read them while you burp it . Then multiply V*A for power in watts . If you divide V by A you will get your impedence //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif