very hot amp

[seatslayer 10+ year member]

thats exactly how it is, the amp is only 3 weeks old so shouldnt be faulty through age or anything i was just concerned about the fact it was getting so hot and weather i should try to cool it at all.

 

[seatslayer 10+ year member]

I also need to know if i should be using a power cap with this setup as the lights are dimming when the heavy bass hits, is it needed and what would i notice if i used one?

 

[ace_800 5,000+ posts]

Caps are pretty much worthless, look at the big 3 thread. Start with that, then go to extra battery or HO alternator next.

 

[seatslayer 10+ year member]

sorry where is the big 3 thread?

 

[Zermelo 10+ year member]

sorry where is the big 3 thread?

Where you would expect it, stickied in the Wiring, Electrical and Installation Help forum:

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=152355

You might think about investing in a more efficient Class D amplifier, rather than investing money here and there on power inverters, fans, extra batteries, ho alternators. Your amp is only pushing 600 watts rms at best with 2-ohm loads, it should NOT be giving you so much trouble.

 

[seatslayer 10+ year member]

it isnt really giving soo much trouble if you think of it, its jsut running hot and was asking if i should cool it. and the lights dimming has nothing to do with the amp i am sure, its the load on the alternator and battery, was wondering if i should invest in a power cap or not.

 

[Zermelo 10+ year member]

it isnt really giving soo much trouble if you think of it, its jsut running hot and was asking if i should cool it. and the lights dimming has nothing to do with the amp i am sure, its the load on the alternator and battery, was wondering if i should invest in a power cap or not.

I have had 600 watt amps which did not give any trouble with the stock electrical system. Certain amps are simply more efficient than others. 600 watts is NOT a lot of power. If you want to throw money into a cap, a battery, a fan, a ho alternator for a relative cheap amp that's up to you. My suggestion is to buy a more efficient amp.

If the amp is getting as hot as you say, then something is wrong, if your wiring is correct and you're using proper guage wiring, then part of the problem is the amp itself, not all amps are built with the same quality. Does the amp go into protect? These are signs of problems and can damage your subs and/or amp.

That's my suggestion. What I've learnt in car audio and electronics is that investing money in quality equipment will save you more money in the long run. In any event, gl to you in whatever you decide.

 

[only126db 10+ year member]

It may be your voltage is dropping too low....I had an amp years ago which was making my voltage drop to 9.5-10v and that amp would get very hot and eventually it started shutting down because of heat....You may need an electrical upgrade...

 

[Fusion_FREAK 10+ year member]

As stated, do the BIG 3, I did it and my dimming stopped almost completely, but it's still faint on some songs.

Caps won't do much, but if you still want one, I have a cheap cap I could sell you, PM me if interested.

 

[Fusion_FREAK 10+ year member]

It may be your voltage is dropping too low....I had an amp years ago which was making my voltage drop to 9.5-10v and that amp would get very hot and eventually it started shutting down because of heat....You may need an electrical upgrade...

What sub is that in your avatar? Looks like a beefy little thing. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif

 

[only126db 10+ year member]

What sub is that in your avatar? Looks like a beefy little thing. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif

Kove Audio KMGX10D...Prototype...

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

If your subs aren't hooked up wrong, you probably have the gains set too high. This means you are clipping the signal and will end up frying both your amp and your subs. Click this link to learn how to properly set your gains:

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/support_pages.php?page_id=143

 

[seatslayer 10+ year member]

hi guys, everything seems to be fine now, i have moved the amp to a place with better airflow and it seems a lot happier now. I am gonna try the big 3 option and see how that goes, whydo caps not really work i thought that that was exactly what they were made for.

 

[Fusion_FREAK 10+ year member]

They do work, per se, but not enough to make a difference.

Example, My friend was running 2 Kicker CVR 12's on a Rockford Fosgate 2 channel amp, I believe it did about 5-600 rms. He has this in a 1987 Camaro, bought a SEVEN fared cap, and it didn't make any difference at all, only use that it gave was it served as a volt gauge. A Kinetik HC600 is as powerfull as 100 fareds, and can be found for about $100.

 

[seatslayer 10+ year member]

hi guys, everything seems to be fine now, i have moved the amp to a place with better airflow and it seems a lot happier now. I am gonna try the big 3 option and see how that goes, whydo caps not really work i thought that that was exactly what they were made for.