Bridge it?

TyHawk · Post by **TyHawk** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 10:47 pm

Im running a RFP DVC 1212 Sub on a RF Punch DSM 200. Can I bridge the Dual voice Coil Sub without damaging the amp? If I recall correctly the ohm load will drop in half, isnt that the case? The sub coils run3.3 ohms each. My fear is that the ohm load will drop too low and trash this old gem of an amp.

I trying to elemintae stereo and go mono on the DVC sub.

joeyc · Post by **joeyc** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:30 pm

if thats the old punch amp your talking about, i knew an installer in texas who ran one at 1/2 ohm or something close, with cooling on it of course!!! they should handle a 1 ohm load no problem, but you might wait to see what these other guys have to say cause that baby may put out more power than you want at that resistance!!

edit: i was talking about running the 2 channels in series to get the lower resistance, not bridging

Post by **GlassWolf** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:14 am

3.3 ohms is the DCR. that means you probably have a dual 4 ohm sub, so coils in parallel would be a 2 ohm load (nominal)
The amp, if it's 2 chanel, will only be 4 ohm stable when bridged.
I'd suggest finding a class D mono amp for that sub instead.

TyHawk · Post by **TyHawk** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:40 am

Thx for the input. I know that a mono amp would be the best way to go. At the moment im trying to save for good components so im not real keen to buy a new amp and shelf my 200 DSM. Trying to avoid the wife agro ya know.

The amp is rated to 2 ohms but I have heard people can run those old RFs to 1 ohm without hurting them. I never play my stereo at really extreem volumes.

The speaker manual says "Nom. Imped. 2x4" and on a different line it says "RE (ohm) 2 x 3.3". So thats where I got 3.3 from. Im not sure what the "RE" means. Guess its a 4 ohm though.

Is there a place to read about Gain controls on amps? All i can decern of course is that the amp chages volume with gain changes. Im not really sure what gain is for. I doubt that its simply a volume control, lol.

Im thinking of bridging the amp to 1 ohm and turning down the gains since ill never use that much wattage anyway.

smoker · Post by **smoker** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:47 am

dude if you do that you will still fry it....that dsm is only gonna do 4 ohms bridged regardless of where the gains are

Post by **GlassWolf** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 10:36 am

gain on an amp just levels the input line voltage to match the input stage of the amplifier. http://www.bcae1.com has several guides to setting input sensitivity if you need them though.

I know some older RF amps can go below rated impedance, as can older Orions, but doing so is "out of spec" and I can't guarantee any results if you try it.. and I didn't want to be the one to say "go for it" and have you fry the amp.

TyHawk · Post by **TyHawk** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 4:04 pm

Well im glad for the info. Ill just leave it at 4 ohms in stereo. I imagine ill have to get a mono amp to have the DVC work well or get a different sub. What would u folks do? New amp or New sub?

Post by **GlassWolf** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 5:45 pm

keep the amp for components up front
get a mono amp and a better sub.