How Do You "Baby" Your Amp?

[tinmanchris217 10+ year member]

I just sent my AP15001d off for warranty, and they're sending me a brand new one Wednesday. Long story short, is I "murdered the crap out of it," during competitions ... and I don't want to do that again. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/graduate.gif.d982460be9f153bb54e5d4cb744f6ae8.gif

What are some good precautions for keeping an amp healthy?

1) Monitor input voltage

2) Mount on rubber bushings to prevent vibration

3) Maintain good air flow

4) Fuse properly

5) Tune for proper output voltage (gain setting)

What's your "rule of thumb" or advice to maximize amp life?

Click to read more...

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

Get more power than I need and I'll never ruin the amp, while at the same time be able to visually see if the sub is in danger...best of both worlds.

 

[jonny101abc 10+ year member]

I just sent my AP15001d off for warranty, and they're sending me a brand new one Wednesday. Long story short, is I "murdered the crap out of it," during competitions ... and I don't want to do that again. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/graduate.gif.d982460be9f153bb54e5d4cb744f6ae8.gif
What are some good precautions for keeping an amp healthy?

1) Monitor input voltage

2) Mount on rubber bushings to prevent vibration

3) Maintain good air flow

4) Fuse properly

5) Tune for proper output voltage (gain setting)

What's your "rule of thumb" or advice to maximize amp life?

D: All of the Above

Get more power than I need and I'll never ruin the amp, while at the same time be able to visually see if the sub is in danger...best of both worlds.

X2

 

[tinmanchris217 10+ year member]

One more time?

I missed the whole how-to portion, and just got the super awesome benefits.

BTW, have a friend who just bought a house in Carrollton. Cool city. She'll be teaching at a local middle school once the TX teaching license goes through.

 

[roarzorz 10+ year member]

I use amplifiers that can handle the abuse without blowing up on me.

 

[supermaxx123 10+ year member]

I usually push mine pretty hard, to the max. but i know when to stop i guess...

I just watch the temperature, by hand.

 

[nateberrier 10+ year member]

I get the ones with the Made in USA stamp and then I worry about what setup my kids are going to be using them for 20 years down the road

 

[Sir Swish 10+ year member]

I don't bench or burp them? I run them the way they are intended? I don't expect them to be 500 watts underrated?

 

[skmfkr 5,000+ posts]

I use amplifiers that can handle the abuse without blowing up on me.

lol x2

 

[tinmanchris217 10+ year member]

HA! This thread is knee-deep in sarcasm. Thanks guys.

New plan: Toss the new amp out the window, since it's too Asian to expect reliability. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wow.gif.23d729408e9177caa2a0ed6a2ba6588e.gif

In other news, the amp was stone cold when it caught fire. It did proceed to get smoldering hot for the next 15 minutes, tho. I'm guessing it was a vibration-based failure, that led to a short within the amp. Amp was mounted to the box (at the time). //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/blackeye.gif.66a1670f5aaf7f406e783a63e3387dc5.gif

Constructive tips, anyone? Like recommended gain setting tips or vibration damping tips? Gracias!

 

[skmfkr 5,000+ posts]

get a zenon amp and use rubber grommets at mounting points

 

[cleansoundzz 10+ year member]

Don't mount the amp on the box. Depending on how the mosfets are mounted they could have broken off from excessive vibration.

 

[SPLaudio 5,000+ posts]

most all amps are made in asia only a few arent and expect to pay atleast a dollar a watt or more. eather vibration or undervoltage killed it eather way wasnt a defect but user error...

 

[tinmanchris217 10+ year member]

That's the plan.

So, does the mounting style and angle of the FETs make a difference in reliability? I've seen models that range from flat horizontal, angled, vertical.... with spring clips, screws, bars. The AP15001D's angled, with screw mounts (and small heat sinks on the back of each FET.

What is the best style for vibration life?

 

[SPLaudio 5,000+ posts]

the best for vib is flat but most amps dont have the fets layin flat. it isnt just the fets that go from vibration its also the powersupply coils. double the mdf where ur amp mounts to the box and make sure ur box is well braced...