View Full Version : Help!! Amp keeps cutting out!
Got an Alpine MRD-M500 amplifier and when i turn up the volume, the amp cuts out and displays the message " E - 3 ".
In the manual it says that this message means that "the amplifier has shut down due to excessive current", it then says to "find and eliminate the cause of the excessive current, then turn the power off then back on from the remote control unit".
Not sure exactly what this means as it only happens when I turn the volume up!! :confused:
Any ideas??
Thanks. :)
Icecavern
30-03-2005, 16:32
What is the amp running?
What is the amp running?
A pair of 12" Alpine Type R's
Daz_gibbo
30-03-2005, 16:37
Are they deffinately wired correcly?
Are they dual 4 or 2ohm?
Are they deffinately wired correcly?
Are they dual 4 or 2ohm?
As far as I know they are wired correctly!! What is the correct way?!
They are 2ohm.
Daz_gibbo
30-03-2005, 17:31
They must be wired in parallel showing the amp a 0.5ohm load. That amp isnt stable at 0.5ohm so is cutting out. It's only stable to 2ohm by looking at the specs.
Using 1/Rt = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 +1/R4
You'll want to stick a 50amp fuse in the Amp, mine ran a 40amp fuse and cut out a couple of times running 2 x 12" Alpine SWS's, only 600Watts each compared to 1000W like yours I think.
p.s - also hope it's earth'd well
p.p.s - let us know when you've awoken the dead ;)
Daz_gibbo
30-03-2005, 17:41
You dont want to be putting bigger fuses into the amp. They use the rated 40amp fuse for a reason
They must be wired in parallel showing the amp a 0.5ohm load. That amp isnt stable at 0.5ohm so is cutting out. It's only stable to 2ohm by looking at the specs.
Using 1/Rt = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 +1/R4
To sound really stupid, what does this mean? I'm not that good on the technical side of things. :confused:
Daz_gibbo
30-03-2005, 17:44
your showing the amp a lower impedance, thus the excessive current. Basically speaking, you have lower current flow with higher impedance.
Your showing a lower impedance tha than amps rating therefore higher current draw causing the amps to cut out
your showing the amp a lower impedance, thus the excessive current. Basically speaking, you have lower current flow with higher impedance.
Your showing a lower impedance tha than amps rating therefore higher current draw causing the amps to cut out
How do I rectify this?? (in simple terms please!!)
Thanks for the help, it is greatly appreciated!! :thumbup:
Daz_gibbo
30-03-2005, 18:35
Run just one sub with coils in series.
Or Run both subs wired in series, this will show an 8ohm load but this will seriously reduce the performance of the subs.
One sub will be your best shot for now. Until you can source an amp stable at 0.5ohms..
Daz_gibbo
30-03-2005, 18:41
1 sub with dual 4ohm coils would be best for your amp
2 subs with dual 4ohm coils running from an amp stable at 1 ohm would be another
your subs would need an amp stable at 0.5ohms, they would really be pushed with that! :thumbup:
At the end of the day, it looks like you'll have to decide on whether to change your amp to suit your subs or vise versa! :thumbd:
Run just one sub with coils in series.
Or Run both subs wired in series, this will show an 8ohm load but this will seriously reduce the performance of the subs.
One sub will be your best shot for now. Until you can source an amp stable at 0.5ohms..
OK, I'll have a play round with them and see what happens.
Any idea what amp might be suitable and how much it'd cost??
Thanks again. :D
Daz_gibbo
30-03-2005, 18:54
There arent many stable at that kind of Impedance. Pricey the ones that do, I could pretty much gaurentee that. I'm not sure of any myself, I'm sure Iceman could help you with that.
If I was you i'd try 1 sub in series, see what you think.
JimmyCupra
30-03-2005, 19:09
Daz is right, all depends what ohms the subs are. I specifically picked a dual 2 ohm kicker square to run it @ 1 ohm in my old car.
Icecavern
30-03-2005, 19:25
You need to find out exactly which subs you have. Dual 2 ohm or Dual 4 ohm.
You're amp is only stable to 2 ohms and so you can wire 2x dual 2ohm subs correctly to fix the problem. That's assuming you've got them wired up wrong atm.
Try this link to show you how to wire them up correctly ;)
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/rftech/wiringwizard.asp
Pete
Daz_gibbo
30-03-2005, 20:02
pete, he says he has Dual 2ohm coils
You need to find out exactly which subs you have. Dual 2 ohm or Dual 4 ohm.
You're amp is only stable to 2 ohms and so you can wire 2x dual 2ohm subs correctly to fix the problem. That's assuming you've got them wired up wrong atm.
Try this link to show you how to wire them up correctly ;)
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/rftech/wiringwizard.asp
Pete
Thanks for that Pete, I'll check the wiring and report back. :thumbup:
Just finished the re-wiring of the subs, and "hey presto", problem solved!! :D
Thanks for the advice guys. :clap: