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In Need Of Assistance

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:40 am
by DJ_Evel
I just installed a system in my 06 honda civic sedan. I basically put in a sub and an amp. I used the Clarion DPX1200.1 for an amp and a single Pioneer TSW3004SPL DVC Sub. I know this system has decent potential but i cant seem to get it running properly. The rest of my system is stock which means i had to run a line level box to get signal to the sub. The amp wants to go into protection at peaks and i cant figure out wether it is a power problem or if my system just isnt going to work. I know i have it hooked up correctly but maybee im missing something. Can anyone help me, I hate spending money and having to wait for results lol. Thanks Guys.

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:12 am
by DJ_Evel
Just to clear things up, all my wiring is 4 gauge and there is a direct connection to the battery wit an in line breaker rated for 90 AMPS, I was told to run a second battery inline to help clear things up. Apparently it will function like a cap but to me it sounds funny. I dunno really though. I know this system should run loud but everytime i turn it up the light on the amp starts blinking and i have to get out and restart the system, how embarrising. Oh and my remote cable is hooked to a toggle switch that i mounted to the Sub box. This whole ordealis making me loose hair.

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:01 pm
by cargodz
Well the majority of the time most of us find it's a weak ground...
As for a secondary battery for your system... You first need to realize that your alternator only produces so much power... addding a second battery to the system without increasing the power from a larger alternator only means your alt has to work twice as hard now and will be strained...
check out this thread in the faq for some guidelines: http://www.caraudiocentral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8370

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:13 pm
by William from NOLA
As cargodz inferred, make sure your ground point is sanded to bare metal.

A second run from the battery isn't necessary and will do very little if anything.

I would also check the gain setting. It could be that it is too high.

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:36 pm
by DJ_Evel
I really hope its my ground, although i have sanded it down and my contact is really good, maybee i should move the ground location. as for the gain it is at three quarters and is quiet, i have tried every combination odf signal strength so i dont think thats the problem. Thank again guys.

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 1:55 pm
by loudwagon15s
im just going out on a limb here, but i think the breaker may be the problem. I've seen partially blown fuses yield the same results, amp is find until turned up. Get a dmm and find what voltage your dropping to when you turn it up, that will tell you a lot of whats going on

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:23 pm
by cargodz
Here's a link to the thread on setting gains with a dmm (also very useful) ;)
http://www.caraudiocentral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7686

Oh and nice catch on the breaker...I didn't catch that at first...
I have seen a few problems with breaker inline systems... you'd probably be better off with a nice 80 amp fuse... I'm not saying this is the cause of your problem, but it couldn't hurt and can save you some headaches down the road :)

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:25 pm
by scotts1000rr
What do you mean you have to get out and reset it? Is it tripping the breaker?

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:19 pm
by DJ_Evel
OK I figured it out and you may find this interesting. The amp was mounted on the box and the vibration over time loosened the rear plate on the amp. The terminals were shorting inside on the rear plate and causing the amp to go into protective mode.

Solution: I used a lexan plate. Drilled vent holes in a box pattern sort of arangement for a vent, which I also mounted a fan controlled manualy or by a thermostat too. (I will set my thermostat eventually lol). Put in some little LEDs, flipped it over and used big rubber stoppers to mount it back to the box. Problem solved.

All said in done. its a little sloppy but people can litterally hear me coming from a good distance.

Thanks again guys

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:15 am
by William from NOLA
That is interesting, but not surprising.

I love the solution the best.