Hey car audio experts I think I figured out the problem through research....IS this likely it?

Lyman Gauld: It's a 2 ohm DVC subwoofer, and my amp is a mono block amp. I was told that if they wired it wrong, that it would be going into protection right away. I dont even think the amp EVER went into protection mode. My subs voice coils are just burning up for some reason. I can smell them in the car, big time. I dont want to try this brand new sub...it's a very nice sub, so I have only played the music loud for 10 mins or less at a time (not even long enough for my amp to get hot) and so far, for now, the bass has not cut out on me anymore (it did once the other day while the amp was still cold) however I can still smell the subs burning, everytime I play the system now. It really worries me. So, I should rephrase my question just to confirm ym fear could be true- CAN a car without a suffieinct charging system damage or blow a sub? I read that it CAN, because the amp will send the sub a clipped signal if the charging system of the car isnt powerful enough. Which I a! m sure mine isnt'....Show more

Jose Bouliouris: 1. there really is no such thing as a HO alternator, get another battery and put it in ur trunk if your lights dimm alot, if they only dim a little get a decent sized cap2. ull only clip the amp if u have it cranked, check ur amp settings r they all turned up? 3. what guage wire do you have running to the amp?4. if you smell something they didnt hook it up right, see how they wired it did they wire it 2 ohms 4ohms 1 ohm? is it DVC or SVC?edit: this may indeed be ur amp cutting off because something is wrong, does your amp have a warning or protection light on it? check the amp manual for possible causes...Show more

Connie Dickirson: WOW Klutch, bad answer!HO alternators DO exist, check it out...Anywho..the best thing you can do is figure out the current draw of the amp at full load. You can do this AND set the gain right at the same time...The purpose of the gain is to match the signal volts RMS coming from the sou! rce (CD player, etc.) to the input of the amp to prevent clipp! ing (damage by over powering).Here is a guide that will help you set the gain correctly http://www.box.net/shared/uchv4dbk88You'll need a multi-meter (AC voltmeter, $15 from Radio$hack), Microsoft Excel and a way to burn an audio CD from an MP3.If you don't have Excel, use this link http://www.box.net/shared/nkkw1dhk4gSee my site for more info http://spkrbox1.spaces.live.comUse Ohm's Law to figure current draw...This is an example...To calculate the current draw of an amplifier, multiply the total RMS watts by the inverse of the efficiency of the amp. We'll say 1000 watts with 80% efficiency (1000 X (1/0.8)) = 1250 watts), then divide by the average output voltage of an alternator, 13.8 volts (1250 divided by 13.8 = 90 amps). Since the average music signal requires about 1/3rd of the average power in a test tone, you would divide by 3 (90 amps divided by 3 = 30 amps). This is the MINIMUM average approximation of current draw and can go higher. I like to use 2/3 of the ampe! rage figured for margin of error. So 60 amperes would be the maximum average approximation for this example. Calculate 40% of the amperes of the alternator you have now. This is the average current the car uses when running. Add this number to the approximate average current draw (*60), and you will come up with the average current required to power the audio system and vehicle. I would recommend going with the next highest rated alternator you can find.If the number you come up with is the same as what your alternator supplies, you need to take no action other than possibly the "Big 3" for better current flow to the amp - that is to replace (or add to) the power wire between the battery and alternator, the ground from the battery to the chassis and the ground strap from the engine/tranny to the chassis with at least 2 AWG wire for this example....Show more

Carolynn Testani: well edward is right about not being able to hook up all subs and speakers onto the same amp a! nd that a single car battery wont help for a 1500 watt amp, You will ne! ed to make pretty big upgrades for this cart which wont be worth the money in the end especially because it isnt permanant....