Greetings. I have been having some difficulty with the amplifiers on my boat. They are both Coustic brand, one 4 channel (running two clarion components and a bridged subwoofer) and one two channel (running another subwoofer). The problem is that even though I ran really good (Stinger expert series 4 awg) power and ground cables, the four channel amp's thermal protection comes on at higher volumes, and the two channel feels very close. I have 16 feet of 4 guage power running to a distribuition block sending two 4 awg (about 3 feet each) to each amp. The ground was 4 awg running the same lengths but using 8 awg out of the distribution block. I changed the distribution block so that I could run 4 guage and it goes louder without thermal protection, but still does it. Obviously a load problem. My question is should I bother running 0 or 1 guage to the distribution blocks or would a stiffening capacitor solve my problem? If I should use a capacitor, should I have one before the dist blocks, one before the amp that is cutting off, or one in front of each amplifier? Help me- I love my music loud especially on the boat!
ohm load is prob to much, the sub has to be not less then 4 ohm bridged and the other componets, can only be ran stereo together on the other two channel. wire is not going to fix this problem, nor a cap, it is most likely beinbg overworked.... with the lower ohms...
That's how I have it set up. The subs are both single voice coil 4 ohms each, and the amps that power them have 2 channels bridged. Even if I just run the component speakers and not the subwoofer with the four channel, it shuts down. Would changing to DVC subs instead of bridging help?
no,subs are subs.... you most likely have a power supply problem, not enough power in charging system., take sub off the 4 channel and see if it still does it,
Thanks, Ty. I have identified it as a power supply problem because of just that- the amp overheats whether the sub is connected or not. I have been told that bridging causes a slightly more load, though. My friend had the same problem on his boat until he ran 0 gauge wiring to the amplifiers, and now they barely get warm. I think I might be able to remedy the situation with a capacitro- I just got a used 1.5 farad on Ebay, so I might as well givce it a try. if it works, it will be a cheap, quick fix. If not, I will have to spend an afternoon running 0 gauge.