Kicker ZX2500.1 help

[Crazy4CarAudio 10+ year member]

I'm having a problem with my ZX2500.1 amp and also the ZX650.4.

I'll start with the 2500.1.

Here's my hook up... I'm gonna start from the Alt.

300A alt - 1/0 wire to 300A fuse to wire - Battery (+) ---- Battery (-) 1/0 wire to chassis & 1/0 wire from engine to chassis. From Battery (+) 1/0 wire to 300A fuse to wire then into conduit running along underside of body up through rear trunk area. then wire going into distribution block within 18" of amp. On other side of block 1/0 wire to 300A fuse then into ZX2500.1 amp. Grounded at rear trunk area at 2 places. 1/0 to body and tie down bolt

Battery up front is a 34/78 Optima Red Top. Settings on amp are only 1/4 turn for gain and all others are at zero.

With stereo playing at half the volume, the bass is strong for about 3 minutes, then will go into protection. This is where I would hope you guys could answer why?!!!

I have had a orion amp (currently using until figured out) and had a MTX hooked up without any problems, but with this Kicker amp, it goes into protect. The sound is then muffled and scared not to leave volume up cause *last time, it some how burnt the caps in the amp. So I had to send it to Kicker for repairs.* Now it seems like almost the same thing is about to happen. Reason sent to Kicker: Bought new, powered up amp, both green and red lights were on. doesn't say anything about both lights being on together in the manual. Smoke appeared - caps fried.

Also my 4 channel amp goes into protect before my sub amp, but comes back on with in a min.

So I'm lost. I have checked everything I could think of. DMM on battery, wires both - & + both volts and ohms. all connections. With sub amp on, I only see down to 13.2V but peaks around 15.3 for recharge on battery. Load tested battery and they said its better than normal.

I was thinking maybe its the remote wire, not giving the amp enough power? it read like 12.?V Remote wire is hooked to back of radio.

Also I know I need another battery or 2, which I will be getting soon. But not needing the extra power to figure this out!

Also subs are 2ohm into amp, so amp is seeing that - well, after ohmming it out before the amp, it sees 1.8 ohms, but not thinking it would be the problem. Tried wiring the subs to 4 and 8 ohm. same thing happens.

I have read a couple of the other "going into protect mode issues" but you all tell them get bigger wire and better grounds, I don't think this is my problem, but idk.

PLEASE HELP //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

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[tapout 5,000+ posts]

history of the amp? Brand new? Just get it from someone used? Had it for a while and its worked fine?

 

[Crazy4CarAudio 10+ year member]

Amp was purchased straight from Kicker Jan 2, 2007. Hooked it up first time at the end of June. "Had to upgrade alt and wiring first." Had problem then sent it in, just recieved it like 2 weeks ago. Having issues again.

 

[Crazy4CarAudio 10+ year member]

Ok, had to X10 check the system voltage, just to have exact numbers here to explain to you what has happened.

Measuring with DMM, Fluke 23, I took readings at input of power/ground connections. And heres the results....

Truck OFF - 12.56V

Truck Started and system going for at least 2 minutes - 14.32V

ZX Amp goes into protect mode(both green and red LED are on) 14.20V

By turning radio ON/OFF # of times, still in protect mode after 3 minutes.

With engine off again - to pissed by now, lol 12.81V

Truck Started gains set to 2nd line, not even half way, all others at zero.

After in protect, switched all knobs to zero and no change.

 

[DRCKISS 10+ year member]

sounds like something is wrong with the amp. just at first glance at your threads

 

[Gianotti 10+ year member]

make sure your subs arent trying to run anything lower then a 2ohm load, to throw it into protect mode. ZX amps cant hold a 1ohm load. but like DRCKISS said its probably your amp, i would call kicker back and complain, and make them send you a new amp. good luck

 

[Crazy4CarAudio 10+ year member]

well, i'm gonna take the subs out and measure the ohms on each voice coil. Look at temp. adding another battery from somewhere that will add a extra 2000 CCA, lol. and try getting a better ground position.

I hope Kicker would give me a NEW amp for this. I was thinking of sending them pics of my wiring to ensure them, that I know what I'm doing! If I need to send it back. Cause it stays in protect mode after I return the system on //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/verymad.gif.3f39c5c2fd57527b671fad3efdfac756.gif

If anyone has and other ideas, please speak out.

 

[Crazy4CarAudio 10+ year member]

well so far checked the ohms on each voise coil and both VC are reading 1.9 ohms.

Still haven't had time to check grounds and adding another battery

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

make sure your subs arent trying to run anything lower then a 2ohm load, to throw it into protect mode. ZX amps cant hold a 1ohm load.

ORLY?

I run mine at 1 ohm daily and burp it at 1 ohm.

 

[15nissen 10+ year member]

make sure your subs arent trying to run anything lower then a 2ohm load, to throw it into protect mode. ZX amps cant hold a 1ohm load. but like DRCKISS said its probably your amp, i would call kicker back and complain, and make them send you a new amp. good luck

what about @ .7 like many my teammates run them at?

 

[15nissen 10+ year member]

my last post gave no advice, id say if possible to swap amp out and if no sign of problem, then theres your answer. Thats the simplest way to determine problem.

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

my last post gave no advice, id say if possible to swap amp out and if no sign of problem, then theres your answer. Thats the simplest way to determine problem.

yea i would see if its possible to swap the amp out for another. to me it just sounds like the amp is the problem.

btw 15nissen: how do the 2500.1 handle the .7 load? pretty hard on the electrical as well, or are they still somewhat efficient?