Weird smell, but not VC?

[BigRooster 10+ year member]

Hey everyone I have a Power Acoustik 1600 Watt 2 channel amp bridged pushing 2 MA Audio MA121XQ 12" DVC Subwoofers. I have the gain all the way down, EQ on headunit flat, LPF on the amp, and remote bass knob usually all the way up. Here recently I've been smelling a really weird scent and it's definitely not voice coil smell I know what that smells like. The scent seems to be coming from the terminals or the wiring? I got 8 gauge wiring with 80 amp maxi fuse and I had the same thing in my other vehicle and it didn't smell. Nothing at all is different so I'm wondering why I have this smell??? I honestly think it's where I didn't strip the wires back enough and some of the plastic rubbery stuff on the wire is in the terminal, but I havent checked this yet. Would that plastic stuff getting how smell weird? If so, anyone that's had this problem what does it smell like? I really don't know how to describe it... Maybe I can confirm it if anyone else can describe it. Thanks.

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[disturbedfuel15 10+ year member]

I'd take a lighter to some extra wire of the same type and see if it's the same smell. Sounds stupid, but why not.

 

[>>SQL<< 10+ year member]

Bass knob up all the way = smelly voicecoils

 

[disturbedfuel15 10+ year member]

Didn't even think of it, but if the remote bass knob overrides the gain knob on the amp itself, could be true.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

1600 Watt 2 channel amp ....... I got 8 gauge wiring.

Yeah I know that amp more likely does about 700W but still.... you might want to check all your connections and your power and ground wires. I bet you're burning your wires or getting ready to. Loose connection at a terminal and/or using inadequate wire gauge is dangerous.

Still could be hurting the subs, but if you say you know what coil smells like and this isn't it, we'll have to take your word for ruling that out.

 

[Robert 2001 10+ year member]

Check amp draws #8 =40a ifyour over you may wanna consider an upgrade. But subs make a simular smell

 

[wenn_du_weinst 10+ year member]

it's the glue burning on the coil

 

[BigRooster 10+ year member]

I found out what it was. A while back my terminal screw was completely stripped so instead of buying a new one I used a screw and a washer and the washer had industrial rubber like material on the bottom, and that was burning on the power wire terminal. I'm so stupid haha don't ever do that I wasn't thinking at all. I saw it smoking and I immediately knew what it was.