Loud Bass, Low Voltage readings

[mightycrappy 10+ year member]

I finally got everything I needed to finish installing my Sub and Amp.

Got it hooked up, but when I try to set my gains with a DMM. I get low voltage readings.

50Hz 0db test tone

Running it at 1 Ohm (DVC 2ohm sub)

I turn HU up to about where I normally listen to music. All options off except my LPF so I don't mess up coaxial's.

The sub seems **** loud to me, but when I put Pos. lead of dmm on Pos. and Neg. on Neg. I only red 3-7V max. With my gain turned all the way up.

I have a Cadence ZRS-8 and a Custom TC-9.

The input level is the gain right?

Not sure what I am doing wrong.

Do I just leave it or not? I don't want to mess anything up.

Any suggestions?

Click to read more...

 

[azimuth 5,000+ posts]

I finally got everything I needed to finish installing my Sub and Amp.Got it hooked up, but when I try to set my gains with a DMM. I get low voltage readings.

50Hz 0db test tone

Running it at 1 Ohm (DVC 2ohm sub)

I turn HU up to about where I normally listen to music. All options off except my LPF so I don't mess up coaxial's.

The sub seems **** loud to me, but when I put Pos. lead of dmm on Pos. and Neg. on Neg. I only red 3-7V max. With my gain turned all the way up.

I have a Cadence ZRS-8 and a Custom TC-9.

The input level is the gain right?

Not sure what I am doing wrong.

Do I just leave it or not? I don't want to mess anything up.

Any suggestions?

you are talking about your power from battery and ground, correct?

 

[redeldog1 10+ year member]

make sure you dmm is set on ac not dc

 

[dantheman001 10+ year member]

make sure you dmm is set on ac not dc

x2, i did that the other day

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

also make sure the inputs are on the pos and neg of the amp's speaker terminals

 

[grassroots 10+ year member]

make sure you dmm is set on ac not dc

umm... you got that backwards...

 

[mightycrappy 10+ year member]

Trying to measure at Speaker Terms. trying to set my wattage of amp.

Had set to AC and even tried DC for the heck of it.

Pos on Pos speaker term. and Neg on Neg.

It's weird cause this should be easy as shit.

First tried with my cheapy DMM than with my Fluke.

Not sure what the deal is.

Going to have to use the Oscope to measure I guess. Used it to make sure I wasn't clipping, but that was it.

With the 50Hz 0db I could turn level input up all the way and it only reads about 7V with no clipping. When I put in a Bass CD, I can see clipping (well more like jagged mountain tops) on heavy bass hits. Is that normal or bad? I figured bad, but wasn't sure since it was tested with Oscope with 50Hz0db tone and no clip.

 

[ShakesAllDay 10+ year member]

umm... you got that backwards...

No, he is correct. Power from amp to speakers is AC, not DC.