How can i tell if my amp is clipping
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Silver Member Username: Jb502Omaha, NE Post Number: 166 Registered: Jun-05 | I can turn up my radio to a certain point, then it just doesn't get any louder. Some songs, it is so loud that i don't want to turn it up any louder, but on some, i want to turn it up more, but it doesn't get any louder. I need to know if i am making the amp clip when i go past the point of it not getting any louder. Is there a tool i can buy to tell me. |
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Gold Member Username: GlasswolfWisteria, Lane USA Post Number: 8543 Registered: Dec-03 | the tool to look for clipping is called an oscilloscope. you'd also want a DMM that reads true-RMS and has non-inductive leads. it may be you're just reaching the limits of that system. what are you running? |
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Silver Member Username: Jb502Omaha, NE Post Number: 168 Registered: Jun-05 | oh, come on, i am the one who makes everyone mad by talking about all my alpine stuff all the time. Just incase you don't remember CDA-9855 mrd-m1005 2 12 inch type r's I know what an oscilloscope is, but how would i go about hooking it up to the amp. I don't know what a dmm is. But i would like to have one if it reads the true rms of the amp. How much are those, and where could i find one. Any special oscilloscope that you recomend. I can only get the volume on my headunit to 19 before it doesn't get any louder. But i have my gain too high. The HU claims a 4 vold preout. I have my amp set at 1.5. |
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Gold Member Username: GlasswolfWisteria, Lane USA Post Number: 8548 Registered: Dec-03 | then you probably are clipping the amplifier.. badly. |
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Silver Member Username: Alias747MN Post Number: 553 Registered: Apr-05 | If it doesn't get any louder and you keep turning it up...... uhhgggg.... I can't even imagine how bad that sounds!! Ultra clippage bro!  |
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Silver Member Username: Jb502Omaha, NE Post Number: 170 Registered: Jun-05 | thats the thing, it doesn't sound bad, at all, how do i hook up the oscilloscope to the amp to tell if it is clipping? |
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Bronze Member Username: LettoMilwaukee, WI Post Number: 98 Registered: Jun-05 | How much do an oscilloscope/DMM cost usually? Or are there places that have them that I could just use/rent or something? |
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Silver Member Username: ScubasteveAnnapolis, MD Post Number: 242 Registered: May-05 | this one costs more than your car. But you could probably get one for less than a grand. Any college that has an engineering department will have a bunch. Makes things much cheaper. But since you're a Mechanical Design Engineer, you should have plenty of access to a scope... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem%26item%3D7532388274&category=10424 7%26 Number: 7532388274 |
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Silver Member Username: Jb502Omaha, NE Post Number: 171 Registered: Jun-05 | that link doesn't work, anyone else know of a one cheaper than a grand |
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Silver Member Username: ScubasteveAnnapolis, MD Post Number: 249 Registered: May-05 | sorry, it works for me, and anyway, i put the item number at the bottom of the post. There are plenty of scopes on ebay that can be had for under a grand. |
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Silver Member Username: Jb502Omaha, NE Post Number: 172 Registered: Jun-05 | yeah that one is 12 thousand dollars, you telling me i can't get one for like 100 bucks. |
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Gold Member Username: GlasswolfWisteria, Lane USA Post Number: 8557 Registered: Dec-03 | I think it's odd you're a ME and you've never even seen an oscope.. lol that's kinda scary |
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Gold Member Username: CarguyPost Number: 3703 Registered: Nov-04 | Juston, go visit your local electronic store. They should have some that are around $100. Scope is a beautiful thing, if you work with electronics. It's like the x-ray machine for the doctors. Let's them "see" what's going on. |
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Gold Member Username: GlasswolfWisteria, Lane USA Post Number: 8559 Registered: Dec-03 | www.bcae1.com has plenty of info on how to use a scope by the way. even has pictures. |
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Silver Member Username: Jb502Omaha, NE Post Number: 173 Registered: Jun-05 | thanks glasswolf, that is a great link |
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Gold Member Username: GlasswolfWisteria, Lane USA Post Number: 8562 Registered: Dec-03 | that site sells a CD for like $49 I think, on amplifier repair that CD is priceless for using a scope to read an amplifier well worth the money.. hint hint you can get teh whole site on CD with test tone discs as well, very cheaply. I have it myself. The author, Perry, is a great guy. The site is worth supporting |
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Silver Member Username: Jb502Omaha, NE Post Number: 174 Registered: Jun-05 | i may have to get that, because i want my sytem set up right, first i have to find a descent scope, for a descent price. I read how to tell when it is clipping and how to tell how much power it is putting out. If i do this shoud i use a regulated power supply, or should i use my trucks power. Also what size of resistory would you use? |
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Gold Member Username: GlasswolfWisteria, Lane USA Post Number: 8576 Registered: Dec-03 | check ebay for a scope. lots of used ones go there a lot cheaper tahn new. 20MHz is all you need for this stuff. nothing too fancy. a 40A or 50A regulated PS on ebay can be had for $100 or less as well. They aren't anything fancy either but they do the job. just remember, use their continuous power ratings, not the peak ratings for a power supply. they love to list peak ratings. you'll want a non inductivedummy load for amp testing, and it needs to be able to dissipate the ehat you put into it from teh amp. you can use a bank of power resistors, or more simply take an old hair dryer apart and unwind the element in it. (wound, it's inductive) and trim it to the resistance you need. that'll do the job if it's attached to adequate heat sink material to spread the heat out. |
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Gold Member Username: CarguyPost Number: 3710 Registered: Nov-04 | Already done that GlassWolf. I supported him 6 months ago. Probably bought the CD when he first made it. The amp repair is a great one. |
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