Using DMM question

[bjfish11 5,000+ posts]

Before i get hounded, i did a lot of searching already. Now to set my gains....600w RMS x 2 (sqrt)=34.6 volts.Now how exactly do i do this using my DMM. Bought a red and black iEquus Innova from Wally world ($25). I think i turn it to the first setting to the right (DCV) is this correct? Next, set my volume to max i listen to and then thats where im lost. Do i just plug my DMM things into the speaker outs on the amp? Well when i do this, by volts start jumping all around and i cant get a steady reading. Can someone please help me out here. Thanks.

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[bjfish11 5,000+ posts]

also, do is it a MUST to use a test tone when setting them. Where can i get them if so? i tried the link in the gain setting tutorial and it was unavailable. Box is tuned to 36 hz if that is necessary info. Thanks again.

 

[Moe Lester 10+ year member]

ACv is what you want

volume should be at 3/4 of max, or the max you would ever listen to it at.

pop in a test tone CD and play 50hz (download tones at http://www.realmofexcursion.com)

measure voltage.

 

[danteBirosel 5,000+ posts]

Set it to ACV and to 200. Set ur H/U to 3/4 volume. Then grab the 1 khz test tone for midrange application and a 50hz test tone for a subwoofer application

 

[danteBirosel 5,000+ posts]

aww rats moe u beat me!! arggg...

but also bro... u couldve bought the Digital meter from wal mart by scosche for 20 bucks which comes with handy tools. Ooohhh its a nice ol' package.

 

[AndonD454 10+ year member]

question.. dont mean to steal thread at all but it might be helpful to the thread started as well..

when i try it i keep getting a really low voltage.. like .20 or.25.. whats goin on?

and hifonics has 2 terminals that internally bridge.. so how would i measure for 1 ohm application? would i use it as if i were running a single speaker at one ohm?

 

[nauc 10+ year member]

the easy way to set your gain

turn your sub off

turn your deck up the most you ever listen to it

adjust your bass, treble etc, how you like it

turn your sub on

play a 50hz or so test tone

turn the amp gain up until the sub no longer gets louder

then back it off a hair

your done

 

[bjfish11 5,000+ posts]

just went out and tried this.... 50 hz. test tone, turned DMM to ACV and plugged into speaker outs on the amp. started to adjust gain higher and higher, got up to 15.09 and my gain was all the way up. I need to get up to 34.6. Whats the deal.

 

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

when using a DMM to set the gains for your sub amp, I'd use a 60Hz tone as it's the most accurate to measure. Because most DMM can only read PEAK voltage and not RMS.

 

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

just went out and tried this.... 50 hz. test tone, turned DMM to ACV and plugged into speaker outs on the amp. started to adjust gain higher and higher, got up to 15.09 and my gain was all the way up. I need to get up to 34.6. Whats the deal.

do you have a sub-out level on your HU? If yes, then it needs to be all the way up.

 

[bjfish11 5,000+ posts]

check all that, i need 31.6 volts, calculated wrong. 500w RMS not 600.

 

[danteBirosel 5,000+ posts]

are you using 200 on ACV? is the red connecter on the + and the black on the -?

 

[bjfish11 5,000+ posts]

sub level out is maxxed out

 

[bjfish11 5,000+ posts]

are you using 200 on ACV? is the red connecter on the + and the black on the -?

how do i get to 200? i just have one dial that says ACV. thats it

 

[Moe Lester 10+ year member]

how do i get to 200? i just have one dial that says ACV. thats it

youve got an auto ranging meter, just leave it on ACV