New sub and amp install not right

[panteramatt 10+ year member]

I just got done installing a Helix 5 channel amp and 2 sundown sd3 10's. They each have 1 cuft space and the the subs are wired at 1 ohm. The amp IS 1 ohm stable and the subs are wired correctly as I checked with an ohm meter. They just arent hitting hard at all. Im sure its my tuning as Im a novice. Heres my settings:

Bass eq set to 0

Gain level set to 4v as that what my pioneer headunit puts out.

phase-0

subsonic filter-20hz

LPF- 60hz

The only way it hits hard is if I turn th egain or the bass eq up but then it goes into protect mode. What am I doing wrong here?

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[garychoffmann 10+ year member]

Which 5 channel helix?

 

[panteramatt 10+ year member]

Dark Blue 5 - Helix 5 Ch 700 Watt Amplifier with digital woofer channel

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Ugly amp imo. Thought it was the older Helix.

Amps usually go into protect one of 2 reasons. Settings on the amp or your electrical is suffering.

Could also very well be a defective amp. Just because it's new doesn't mean you don't know what could be wrong inside it. It happens from time to time.

Have you tried another amp see if it does the same thing?

 

[panteramatt 10+ year member]

No I havent. Who cares what it looks like do you sit there and stare at your amp all day? Its hidden under my seat anyway and this amp came highly recommended.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Woah. With that attitude, good luck getting help.

 

[giltyler]

Ugly amp imo. Thought it was the older Helix.
Amps usually go into protect one of 2 reasons. Settings on the amp or your electrical is suffering.

Could also very well be a defective amp. Just because it's new doesn't mean you don't know what could be wrong inside it. It happens from time to time.

Have you tried another amp see if it does the same thing?

That ugly amp comment was harsh on a guy dealing with system issues and does nothing to help his situation

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

That ugly amp comment was harsh on a guy dealing with system issues and does nothing to help his situation

Seriously, it was my opinion. He could have overlooked it and went on with the problem/issue he was having. Instead, he got butthurt.

You think that's harsh? that's nothin' compared to what I've seen/read.

 

[panteramatt 10+ year member]

That ugly amp comment was harsh on a guy dealing with system issues and does nothing to help his situation

Exactly

 

[Beentown]

For some a 60 hertz LPF is normal if you have an excellent front stage that can get down to 60 hertz to make up the difference.

With the limited amount of info I am guessing part of the issue is the x-over frequency being so low.

Also, what do you have for wiring? What are the other channels powering? Which HU? Did you try setting the gains with a DMM?

Details will help...

 

[panteramatt 10+ year member]

Itll only go into protect when a heavy bass note hits and I have it turned up. I used the 4 gauge wiring the previous owner had already in it and its grounded to the seat frame. I did take a dmm and it dives to about 11.5 volts when a heavy note hits. I figured it was because I was playing music without the truck running but it does it while Im running also and my alternator is good.

 

[panteramatt 10+ year member]

Im wondering if its a bad ground. I have it grounded to the seat frame and I did clean it up very well before hand. Ill try to move the ground and see if that works.

 

[panteramatt 10+ year member]

Ok Ive tried several things and the amp still goes into protect mode. This is what Ive done:

Big 3 wiring upgrade

250 amp alternator

Moved the ground

Checked and rechecked all my wiring

I have the gain set at 26v AC using my dmm which is where the gain should be at. With the volume turned half way itll play but the bass isnt that good and if it hits a heavy note itll go into protect again. Im out of ideas unless the new amp is bad.