How to Determine what I Fried?

[abqsean 10+ year member]

I'm pretty sure i fried my subs having them improperly wired. My buddy is coming over with his multimeter and we're gonna try to figure out exactly what's dead. What should i test? What would healthy readings look like for the various components (amp, speaker wire, connection on sub)?

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[Cadillac_02 10+ year member]

If it were the subs it'll smell inside the. Box push down on the speaker see if it moves or if it has restriction

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

depends on what ohm, ratings your subs are .2 ohm or 4 ohm,also dual or single voice coil.did you set the gains with a dmm ? this usually will cause subs to blow if not done properly.

 

[abqsean 10+ year member]

depends on what ohm, ratings your subs are .2 ohm or 4 ohm,also dual or single voice coil.did you set the gains with a dmm ? this usually will cause subs to blow if not done properly.

they are 4 ohm subs, DVC. I wired each channel directly instead of wiring it as a bridged connection (which is how it was before). It smelled like burning plastic/rubber. So i turned the gain way down, thought i was smelling the new speaker wire that i had put in, and drove for about 5 minutes. Amp cut off, i checked it - blown fuses. I rewired to how it was originally before i had replaced the wiring, replaced the fuses, no audio. Amp lights up like it is outputting a signal but i'm getting nothing from the subs. At this point i'm pretty sure i either fried the subs (the voice coils), shorted the wires, or possibly killed the amp. Just need help on how to narrow it down with a multimeter.

 

[Flex68 10+ year member]

Amp lights up like it is outputting a signal but i'm getting nothing from the subs. At this point i'm pretty sure i either fried the subs (the voice coils), shorted the wires, or possibly killed the amp.

Doubtful u killed both subs to such a degree that you'd get absolutely nothing outta them...more likely the amp, especially since you noted that you found blown fuses.

Check amp's DCV output with DMM. You can also switch out your amp for a friend's (after you verify correct wiring to your subs!) and see what your subs do.

Always a shame to read a fail post like this one...

 

[abqsean 10+ year member]

Check amp's DCV output with DMM.

And what should it read? Amp is Rockford p5002

 

[Flex68 10+ year member]

And what should it read? Amp is Rockford p5002

Based on that response, I'm betting you didn't initially set it up with a DMM... no wonder you had issues.

This advice could have been given earlier and prolly saved you a lot of headaches, but there are Stickies for setting gains, which will assist you in testing your amp. Also info to be had regarding properly wiring subs.

Not trying to be vague, but I would suggest you read these before you go any further, or you may do additional damage.

(Doesn't matter what brand of amp it is, btw.)

 

[Cadillac_02 10+ year member]

What's a DMm ??

 

[abqsean 10+ year member]

What's a DMm ??

Digital Multimeter

 

[Flex68 10+ year member]

digital multimeter

 

[Cadillac_02 10+ year member]

Digital multi meter

 

---------- Post added at 03:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:07 PM ----------

 

How would u set the gain with a DMm