New to car audio. Need setup advice

[Sumthingmessy]

So I am still learning about all of this, and I'm loving it so far. I have a 2012 xB and am putting quite a bit of work into it. I have a kenwood DDX371 HU. I got an old Fosgate BD1000a for 100 bucks and just put in my brand new p-1 15's. I've been told this amp is known for putting out more than it's rated at and I'm worried about blowing my brand new subs. They bottom out pretty hard at times, and my subwoofer output is set at -9.... I want to crank it a bit from time to time but I'm worried put blowing the subs. I got them for $140 and I don't have the cash to drop on new 15's right now. Am I just being paranoid?

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[Sumthingmessy]

Right now I have pretty decent bass with kicks in my metal, but any time I try to play something with a sustained note, the subs cut in and out. Almost as if they cannot travel in and out fast enough. If that makes sense. If I turn the volume down to a reasonable level, it holds up fine, but then it defeats the purpose of the 2 15's.

 

[macsdad 10+ year member]

Prob too much power, back your gain down a lil. You can check the classifieds for some decent deals, if you don't have an affinity about used stuff. You would be suprised what 1 sub would do in the proper box on that amp.

 

[Sumthingmessy]

I'm hoping that does it. I have a pioneer 760w that I had on my rf r2d12. Maybe that will be a better option for the time being. Hoping to switch everything over to Fosgate. I've already ha a couple offers on the bd1000a and bd200.4 that would pay more than double what I bought them for. Maybe turning the freq all the way down on the amp would help too? That way it's just playing the lowest end.

I'm currently having stealth boxes for a couple 8's to go under the front seats just for that added surprise. Amp the doors and new component sets then I'll be set, for a bit. Gonna be fun when it's done

 

[CrossoverOre 10+ year member]

deffinately make sure crossovers are set to 80 or even a little less for the 15's. I would stick with the bd amp and not swap if for the pioneer. I would also set the gains appropriately sounds like you just have them maxed out.

 

[Sumthingmessy]

I thought that might have been it so I had a plan. First was to install the steering wheel control module for my new deck (just put it in about a week ago) and then set gains and everything else. Got the steering wheel module in and working then my next problem started.....

My subs are putting NOTHING out. I checked the ground, power, turn on, ground again, fuses, RCA, output to subs. And. I'm at a dead end. I have a bit of electrical knowledge, so I've been going over everything I can think of. Amp turns on. Subs either hum really low or grumble, which made me think of a ground or short issue. They also now "click" with my emergency flasher which my girlfriend turned on as a joke knowing I was visibly annoyed with this problem. If I crank the stereo, I get MAYBE a slight inkling of a thought of music output from them. I even tried switching to the pioneer, and that did nothing. Tried a new RCA (from a tv) and no dice. They click when I turn the car on and now nothing comes from them. I'm just. Lost. I've NEVER had this much trouble with any of the lights, horns, whatever wlse I've added in here.

 

[CrossoverOre 10+ year member]

did you have the key on and the radio running when you were installing the sw control?

 

[Sumthingmessy]

Keys are out of the ignition anytime I install anything electrical. Usually on the floor so there is NO possible way of an accidental startup. I'm going to put my old amp and sub in today to see if they work. Trying to narrow it down

 

[Sumthingmessy]

I may even put the stock deck back in to rule out the RCA outputs

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

Check ground continuity. Also run a aux/RCA cable from a iPod directly to the amps inputs see if the subs come on then you'll know it's the deck if not. Then either the amp or subs. Next get a dmm check ohm readings on the subs if they are where their supposed to be. Ie 4 or 2 ohms each coil then either the amps wiring or the amp

 

[Sumthingmessy]

I never thought of the iPod thing. Hoping it's jus the RCA cable. That's no big deal.