Making a 3000W amp push only 1500W? (same/same impedance)

[HiAmplidude 10+ year member]

I realize that the "gain" sensitivity is not a volume knob, nor is it a real way of increasing wattage past max un-clipped. But, I need to try to cover my bases to avoid damaging some subs that are rated to handle MUCH less power than the amp will deliver at full tilt.

Using a DVOM and maybe an old woofer or static resistor, I plan to adjust the gain down until I'm not getting more than 1500W (at 1 Ohm).

Is there anything else I need to pay attention to or consider? Is it a valid means of dropping Wattage safely (for the subs), or would I honestly be better off replacing the amp with a 1500W amp for those drivers?

I can't remember ever having to cut power output down on an amp such a long way without just doubling impedance load (which is not an option here). Input is appreciated.

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[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Is there anything else I need to pay attention to or consider? Is it a valid means of dropping Wattage safely (for the subs),

Sure...just apply Ohm's Law.

 

[HiAmplidude 10+ year member]

Sure...just apply Ohm's Law.

Thanks for verifying

 

[pwnt by pat 10+ year member]

The gain is an excellent way to limit the output of an amplifier. All you have to do is when following the gain guide, use the rms you want instead of the amp's max rms. You just can't use the gain as a volume knob when trying to get more power out of an amp.

 

[HiAmplidude 10+ year member]

Yes it is //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Editing orig' post. Folks trying to push up the gain for more than unclipped max should not assume that the gain knob is how to do it. *hehe*

 

[theCybe 5,000+ posts]

Add a resistor //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[req 5,000+ posts]

Add a resistor //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

it would explode very quickly. thats not the best way to do it in the least.

see how little wattage you can get by gain'in back. dont forget, there is somthing called impedance rise, after the subs have been on for a few minutes, and have heated up, the resistance of the coils will rise and lower the wattage the amp will deliver, ect ect.

but yea, try the gain thing.

 

[PhatTonyDeMarco 5,000+ posts]

What amp do you have, and what is the coil config of your subs? Anyway to wire it to a high load so that the amp will put out half of its max RMS?

 

[HiAmplidude 10+ year member]

What amp do you have, and what is the coil config of your subs? Anyway to wire it to a high load so that the amp will put out half of its max RMS?

I wish that were possible.

My only option on the subs is dual 4 Ohm each. Mmats D3000.1 is WAY too powerful for a pair of 750W subs at 1 Ohm, and at 4 Ohm, the 750W shared is not enough. My only option, is to get a different amp or try to gain down enough to limit to around 1500W @1 Ohm total (about half output).

 

[BassAddictJ 5,000+ posts]

great amp...god i wish i had one....... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

ya just since it's 1 ohm your working with then ur gonna want to get ur voltage somewhere close to 38.729833462074168851792653997824 volts.... lol

since 38.729833462074168851792653997824 squared is 1500....all divided by 1 ohm....which does nothing.......lol love ohms law at 1 ohm.....

since this doesnt take into account imp. rise just tune it a lil higher like around 40 or 41 volts to take into account some imp rise... that probly the best simple way to do it without finding a multimeter that'll handle high amperage.....