posted
O.k. some of you may have heard of the problem I had at SBN '08. If not, well, I could not keep the xxx-6500d powered up for some reason. I have tried a few things and thought I got it fixed, but, guess I didn't. Since SBN, I've downgraded to a xxx-4000d. Well, it had some problems, so had to send it back. During the time it was being fixed I ran the 6500d and never had another problem with it. Now I have the 4000d back and guess what. I can't keep the amp powered up. It will literally shut down with a loud pop while the system is playing. I can install it in another vehicle and not have any problems. That is telling me I have a problem in my setup somewhere, but I'm clueless as to where. My setup consists of 2 alternators, 1 is a factory 105 amp and the other is a powermaster 350 amp 16volt. I have 14 8 volt batteries wired to 16volt. The wire from the powermaster to the battery bank is 4/0 on positive and ground. From the battery bank to the amp is 1/0 on both positive and ground. The remote turn on is going through a 40amp relay which also powers my mids and highs amp (this amp does not shutdown during play). It's almost as if I am running out of juice to power the amp. If I keep the system off for a while, then turn it on, it plays for a bit, then shuts down. Turn the system off, wait a few minutes, turn the system on and the amp plays for a few minutes, then shuts down. I've checked the sub impedance, which is at 1ohm. I've checked the battery bank, it sits at 15.9 with the engine off. If I start the engine and am able to get it to 2k rpm, the alternator starts charging at 19.5 volts. I was told by powermaster that it is alright to have that voltage from the alternator. Oh, if the van is not running, guess what.. the amp stays on.
I am so confused at this that it is driving me crazy. Actually I am about to rip everything out of the van. That would piss me, and others, off more if I do that. SO I don't really want to go that route as I doubt I'll reinstall the system, and may just sell the van.
btw.. it's a 1989 Chevy Astro, if that helps any.
Any ideas on what the problem could be? any ideas would be appreciated.
posted
well i am not that Knowledgeable about running a 16v system but i would see what voltage is getting to the amp i would think that 19.5v to the amp would send it in to protect mode.
-------------------- 1993 Dodge Dakota LE Street Max 2 Fi BL's 2 Hifonics Brutus BXi 2008D Mechman 250 amp street beater alt Power Master D3100
quote:Originally posted by ORION93: well i am not that Knowledgeable about running a 16v system but i would see what voltage is getting to the amp i would think that 19.5v to the amp would send it in to protect mode.
Exactly. I would keep the voltage at the amp at 18 or below and you shouldn't have any problems.
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Tantric Sounds-352-504-5998 Team db Unit Team Powermaster Posts: 711 | From: Orlando, Fl | Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
Thank you all. The alternator has an internal variable regulator. It is however broke. I bought the alternator used, and the person before me broke the variable resistor. If I could turn it down, I sure would. I was thinking about 18v. I need to get with my team mates to figure out exactly what voltage it shuts down at. Today, I had to go by my stinger meter, which I calibrated with a DVM. It shuts down right around 18.2 to 18.3 volts. But that is by the stinger meter, which is no good for troubleshooting.
I tried the amp at idle and without the van engine running. Both of these situations, the amp runs like it should, and get loud as hell (exactly how loud is hell anyways?).
Supposed to be getting an Iraggi alternator this weekend. Guess I'll have to do without bass until then. God that is gonna suck since every body at work loves hearing me come in the back gate in the mornings.
posted
Call in and get the regulator replaced... I would dial the voltage in to about 17.9v. Also, the resting voltage of your battery bank seems low. A good 16v system should rest around 16.8-17.2v.
-------------------- Scottie Johnson Sound Pressure Technologies
posted
Thank you Scottie. I was thinking about calling them yesterday, but didn't have time. I still have to wait until this weekend so I can swap in a 16volt 240amp alternator temporarily. Will hopefully be going form 14 8volt batteries to 5 16volt batteries this weekend also. Maybe next week I can have some boom again. It wouldn't be so bad if I only competed with the van, but I also use it as a DD. Edited...
Just got off the phone with them. Got the auth return number. Will be sending it out probably the beginning of next week. Hope it don't cost me an arm and leg.
posted
WEll, I got some good news. The Powermaster alternator is not shot. But I am pretty much suprised I still have a van.
After spending pretty much a whole day troubleshooting things we found out that I had a shorted wire. It was shorting out right behind the alternator when the van's engine got put under a load. How did we find out about that? We decided to start checking all the wiring and redo some things. The first thing we did was "try" to move the ground on the 16volt system. When we did that, we got lots of sparks, which told us that something was wrong. I then started ripping out all the wiring for the 16volt system. Could not find any problems with the wiring, until I got to the end that connected to the alternator. I used a welding cable lug for the 4/0 wire and wrapped it in tape. Well, the tape had a worn spot in it. The cable must having been moving a little, just enough to short out against one of the bumps on the back of the alternator. I have been running the 6500D for about a week now without any problems. The alternator is charging at 19.5. The batteries rest at 16.9, they are checked frequently every morning since there is no run time overnight. Now with the 4000d. It can't handle the power of the alternator. This is the reason it was shutting down at 18.2 volts. The max voltage, from what I was told, is 18volts for that amp. Something else different between the 4000d and 6500d I guess.
We also had to remove 6 batteries since they were resting below 6 volts. Yea, they were pretty much shot. I am waiting for 5 16 volt batteries to get here so I can replace the rest of the batteries I have.
Once I get another alternator for temporary use, I will probably go ahead and have powermaster rebuild my current one, but for now everything is working. The Iraggi alternator that I was going to get (and did get) has a blown regulator on it, so I'll need to replace that.
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