PG Xenon Amp Mod Trick

[jdub486 10+ year member]

I have always heard that you can modify the Xenon 600.1 and Xenon 400.1 amps to produce more power at lower ohm loads by bypassing the xe.load system. Anyone know how to do this? I cant find much info by searching.

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[prodgod 10+ year member]

A friend told me about this and I believe he said (don't quote me on this) that you have to start up the amp with the subs disconnected, then connect them after it is on. I'm not positive though.

 

[Kold_Killa 10+ year member]

A friend told me about this and I believe he said (don't quote me on this) that you have to start up the amp with the subs disconnected, then connect them after it is on. I'm not positive though.

Don't quote me on this, but I terribly doubt it.

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

x2

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

The story goes that the xe.load "sets" the regulated outputs of the amplifier based upon the load connected to it at start up. So if at start up it "sees" no connected load, then the xe.load regulation is bypassed and the amplifier functions essentially like a "normal" amplifier (i.e. without regulated outputs). And since the regulated outputs essentially limit the power output from increasing as impedance decreases, by bypassing the xe.load regulation at lower impedance the amplifier will provide increased power output just like a "normal" amplifier would. It was claimed the x600.1 was capable of over 2kw with under 1% THD and around 3kw just before smoke rolled. To achieve this you supposedly use a DEI 528T timer relay wired into the outputs of the amp and the subs, so that when the amplifier turned on the relay would stay "open" for a certain period of time (3 seconds or so) so that the amplifier did not "see" the connected subs when it started up.

Now, I've not heard of anyone actually trying this other than the one person who started circulating the information. Second, assuming it did work, how long the amplifier lasts depends upon 1) whether the internals were designed to actually handle that level of sustained power output and 2) whether the heatsink & other heat dissipation features were designed to properly dissipate that level of heat.

In short; IMO if you need that much power, buy an amplifier specifically designed to do so rather than jerryrigging a PG Xenon to do it.

 

[Kold_Killa 10+ year member]

The story goes that the xe.load "sets" the regulated outputs of the amplifier based upon the load connected to it at start up. So if at start up it "sees" no connected load, then the xe.load regulation is bypassed and the amplifier functions essentially like a "normal" amplifier (i.e. without regulated outputs). And since the regulated outputs essentially limit the power output from increasing as impedance decreases, by bypassing the xe.load regulation at lower impedance the amplifier will provide increased power output just like a "normal" amplifier would. It was claimed the x600.1 was capable of over 2kw with under 1% THD and around 3kw just before smoke rolled. To achieve this you supposedly use a DEI 528T timer relay wired into the outputs of the amp and the subs, so that when the amplifier turned on the relay would stay "open" for a certain period of time (3 seconds or so) so that the amplifier did not "see" the connected subs when it started up.
Now, I've not heard of anyone actually trying this other than the one person who started circulating the information. Second, assuming it did work, how long the amplifier lasts depends upon 1) whether the internals were designed to actually handle that level of sustained power output and 2) whether the heatsink & other heat dissipation features were designed to properly dissipate that level of heat.

Nice post.. thanks.

 

[jdub486 10+ year member]

ttt

Squeek, thanks for your very helpful post. If I do try hooking up the subs after the amp, what tips would you have for keeping the amp alive? I assume setting the gains pretty low? I would run it at 2 ohms, not 1, which I assume would help. I have found the Xenon amps to be real workhorses- overbuilt and solid. Also, how would I wire the DEI timer? Thanks for your help-

 

[Ge0 10+ year member]

In short; IMO if you need that much power, buy an amplifier specifically designed to do so rather than jerryrigging a PG Xenon to do it.

Well said Squeak. I know I'm newer here but have been contributing to car audio forums / usenet groups for 15+ years. I'm starting to feel like my input around here is not required. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crying.gif.ec0ebefe590df0251476573bc49e46d8.gif You have the basses covered.

Ge0

 

[sqhertz 5,000+ posts]

xluben has done this trick to the x600.1. i have the amp he did it to , and it still works fine over a year later.

iirc , he hooked a relay to the speaker wires , turned the amp on first then connected the speakers to the amp. it can only be done at a 4 ohm load or youll get heating problems. i belive this can be done on the x600.1 only.

i would not suggest it. as squeak said , if you need that much power , buy an amp that makes it.

ill try to find the PM he sent me saying exactly what he did.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

ttt
Squeek, thanks for your very helpful post. If I do try hooking up the subs after the amp, what tips would you have for keeping the amp alive? I assume setting the gains pretty low? I would run it at 2 ohms, not 1, which I assume would help. I have found the Xenon amps to be real workhorses- overbuilt and solid. Also, how would I wire the DEI timer? Thanks for your help-

Here is the original thread, which includes a wiring diagram (I am not responsible for it's content or accuracy);

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124912&highlight=xe.load

But as I and many others have said; Not recommended. Try at your own risk.

 

[t-money 10+ year member]

Nice post.. thanks.

Funny, but thats what Prodgod said and you doubted him, now you hear it from Squeak and it all makes sense. All squeak did was explain how it can be done with a relay and went into it with a little more detail.

Moral of the story, don't doubt what anyone says unless you know different.

 

[Qbenjamin 10+ year member]

A friend told me about this and I believe he said (don't quote me on this) that you have to start up the amp with the subs disconnected, then connect them after it is on. I'm not positive though.

You are an idiot. Sigged!