Subs and Amp query

[tr3nt]

View attachment 26543090Hi guys.

Roughly 12 months ago, I had a Clarion twin 12" sub setup run from a Cadence monoblock (XA 400.1).

This ran beautifully, however I did notice that if i had it cranked for more than maybe 45mins-hour, it would cut out, I figured the amp was getting too hot.. I'd shut it off for 10-15 mins, and it would be ok from then.

The amp POWERS, I don't get the power or protect light or anything, however you can hear the fan whirring and powered.

Ultimately I want to keep the amp and figure out WHATs wrong with it, however, I don't mind buying a new amp. I just want to know what will be suitable.

I've attached a photo of the subs, all I know is they're Clarion 12" woofers. If someone can give me a hand

Click to read more...

 

[NIHL8ION]

How did you set your gain? Improperly set gain (Too high) will cause a lot of mainstream brand amps to shut off

 

[tr3nt]

NIHL8ION: for memory I would have had the gain set around half way. I dont recall ever having any of my amps on gains further than halfway.

Do you have any idea's as to why the amp would power, not show any lights (apart from the blue Cadence logo), but not provide signal through the speaker output's?

for what its worth, I have put test lights to the speaker outputs and it continually blows the test lights - im guessing its quite a higher voltage lol.

 

[NIHL8ION]

Odds are your amp is in need of repairs, but I have seen a few Cadence amps power LED's come un-soldered from the board and no longer function but the logo / accent lights all would work as well as the amp with just no power LED... The speaker outputs of any amp will be AC voltage, NOT DC, so if you are using a 12v test light you will always wind up with the same results... Get yourself a cheap Digital Volt Meter from harbor freight, autozone, walmart, etc for like $15-$20 to test the AC voltage output from the amp, do not use a test light... I would also check your subs coil resistances while you are at it, could be an issue with your subs as well...

 

[tr3nt]

I can check with a multi-meter, I have access to one, however not until the weekend.

It's just odd that one day it was working fine, then the next its not - yet the unit will power up.

 

[tr3nt]

I just hooked up a multimeter to the amp, on the speaker wire outputs, and they're reading around 45 volts or so.

im unsure if thats right or not :s ?

 

[NIHL8ION]

I just hooked up a multimeter to the amp, on the speaker wire outputs, and they're reading around 45 volts or so.
im unsure if thats right or not :s ?

- What amp is it, and what final ohm load are you driving with it? Also Are you checking this at 75% volume with a clean 0db 50hz test tone playing in loop? (I hope)

 

[tr3nt]

Hey buddy, this is where I get a bit confused. im unsure on what final ohm load, this was with the volume at a quiet-ish level playing an everyday chart song.

how do I check the final ohm load?

The amp im using is this model: Amplifiers - Mono - Cadence XA-400.1 850W Mono Amplifier - Car Audio Craze

 

[IonRL205 10+ year member]

What impedance are your subs? Like single 4 ohm, dual 4 ohm...etc

If you still got the multimeter, you can set it to read ohms and touch it to the wires coming from your subs and it will tell you the impedance.

 

[tr3nt]

This is the subwoofer setup: 2 X 12" 600W Clarion Subs IN BOX With 2 Amps AND Wires Quick Sale PLZ Offer | eBay (without the sticker on the front)

I have just checked the ohms and one is pulling 128-132, the other pulling around 68-72 or thereabouts, which doesnt seem right obviously.

 

[tr3nt]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/tr3nt/20130615_165914_zpsed4e2a4c.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tr3nt/media/20130615_165854_zps22bb81d6.jpg

 

[NIHL8ION]

That amp is ONLY capable of a single 2 ohm mono output with 425 rms... So 45~vac output at normal listening volume on music is WAY TOO HIGH... 29.15~vac would be it's maximum rms output @ 2 ohms, but you really should get a 50hz test tone and make sure you have your HPF's for your interior speakers set well above that range so they don't try to play the test tone while you set your gain... Then once that is situated, Disconnect the speaker leads from your amp and turn the gain all the way down, bass boost OFF if so equipped, lpf set around 80hz or so. Hook your meter up to the speaker outputs of the amp and play the 50hz test tone on repeat with all of your other HU EQ settings flat & bal/fade zero'd out at 75% of your HU max volume, slowly turn up the gain until you are as close to 29.15~vac without going above... Your gain will now be set properly

 

[tr3nt]

From what I've indicated, does it sound like my amp is dead though?