Protect Mode/Run correctly?

[aakburns]

I have a PSR-x342 Amp. I recently got a set of Polk Audio Comp. speakers for the front of my truck which run at 4 ohms. I've also added a kicker enclosure with 2 12" subs. It runs at 2ohms. Everything runs off the one amp and sounds excellent. The sub box is wired in such a way that it only has one set of inputs.

I have the subs ran bridged to channel A. My components are on channel B.

My gains are both set to 'normal'. When I turn the volume up to the point that the air is really moving, everything shaking, and sounding excellent, the amp tends to turn off(protect mode I assume). There is a red light in the top center of this amp that is lit when everything is fine. When it cuts out suddenly, the light goes off. Most of the time if I wait a minute it comes back on and all is well... till I turn it up like crazy again. Twice I've had to pull the fuse under my hood and reconnect it, no the fuse was not blown, but this made the amp come back on.

I'm really wondering if I'm running my subs incorrectly or if I'm just drawing to much power for the amp to handle.

As I can recall here, the amp is set to 80hz gain at normal set to low pass and 'low'(see info on that in manual). The components are running on a high pass filter also with the gain at 'normal'. I'm wondering if perhaps the subs should be on the 'B' channel and comps on 'A" as there is a bit of a difference in the controls on each channel.

I feel I've given as much information as possible here.

Here are links to all of the products I'm using.

http://support.alpine-usa.com/products/documents/IDA-X001%20QUICK%20GUIDE.PDF

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Polk+Audio+-+6-1/2%22+Component+Loudspeakers+with+Poly-Mica+Composite+Cones+(Pair)/1003299.p?id=1218207304890&skuId=1003299&st=polk%20audio&contract_desc=null

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Kicker+-+12%22+Dual+2-Ohm+Subwoofers+with+Enclosure/9894213.p?id=1218190971670&skuId=9894213

The amp manual can be found here. Just enter the image code and click download.

http://www.nodevice.com/user_manual/pioneer/car_amplifier/prs-x340.html

Thanks everyone.

Click to read more...

 

[Bassin Buick]

you need a 4 ohm load to run that amp bridged properly

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

The manual does indicate it is 2 ohm stable in bridged mode, but it seems it is not up to the power demands you need. As you mentioned you may want to switch your subs to be on channel B and your components to be on channel A. Make sure you have the proper sized power and ground wires, and you want the ground wire secured with a bolt and nut to bare metal on the body.

 

[aakburns]

I'm going to switch the channels today.

I used this amp kit, http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Kicker+-+D-Series+Amplifier+Installation+Kit/9906282.p?skuId=9906282&IcsCsid=2-39-1062-25-5-49705-49900-25-1062-566-25-1062-2187-0-2&id=1218193799521.

My ground is run to a seat bolt that goes through the frame.

If I was to run another small amp to power my from components, I'd assume it is best to run another power cable for that amp or am I able to split off the single power wire?

I'll report back later on switching the channels, but I'll assume that my amp just isn't handling the power demands.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

I hate to say it but I think you should have gotten no smaller than a 4 gauge amp kit. I think even upgrading your current power and ground wire to 4 gauge would help. It's a lot cheaper than adding a second amp and a second power wire.

If you do add another amp you can get a power distribution block so you don't need need to run another full length of wire.

 

[aakburns]

I swapped the wires from channel A and B. Still sounds great, but then I shattered the fuse this time, but it was bound to happen. I'm just going to go the second amp route. I'll have to get a power distribution block as well. Thanks for the suggestions and info.

 

[aakburns]

If I get a capacitor how do I set it up for both amps? How does this work?

 

[Phoenix Risen 10+ year member]

If I get a capacitor how do I set it up for both amps? How does this work?