New system cuts out ~ HELP!

[Razzman]

Ok so a couple weeks ago we go out and everything is cool, stereo works just fine. Saturday we're packing the boat and i pop in the faceplate and turn on the tunes and it's cutting out, like somebody is turning it off/on/off/on. I look at he the amps and only one is on and it's cutting out.

I'm thinking the deep cycle is low so i hook up the fake-a-lake and run it for awhile and test while doing it. Seemed better and i got the other amp to come on. So i think down on charge and out we go. Ran the boat all day and the same thing happened all day. I could turn the one on for awhile but any volume would make it cut out.

Also, the amp wouldn't turn off with the head unit. After repeated off/on's it finally turned off. I know the amps aren't hot and i've checked fuses and wiring i could get to. The start batt volt gauge is showing almost 14v when running and I believe the Stinger ISO is working as it clicks when the ignition is turned on. I haven't checked the battery charge yet but plan to today.

So all you stereo guru's any thoughts on where to start looking?

[spharis]

Check the faceplate terminals. Check the voltage on the remote turn on. Try each amp independantly to check for issues there. When it wouldn't turn off, did you pull the faceplate? Was the amp in protect? Should have an led or light to indicate that. Check for straggling strands on the amp. Check the connections on the remote turn on.

An amp needs 3 things to turn on. Power, Ground, and 12V sense on the turn on. Any one of those missing it will be off. Any on of those gets shorted it will turn off. It sounds like a headunit issue with the faceplate, but you can also short between the 12V terminal and the turn on with a small wire to test the amp is powering up and off ok.

You might also "reset" the source unit if it has a reset button.

[Domsz06]

i had that problem when my power wire was "IN" but it really wasn't. It just looked like it was, but it really wasn't.

Nex time I had this problem it was cuz my amp was overheating.

Let us know.

[dogbert]

Could it be a battery problem? I've had batteries short out on me and they present with inconsistent electrical symptoms.

[Razzman]

Not sure as of yet. I'm going to climg in the hole here in awhile and check batt volts and a few other things real quick to get a better idea. Really pissed me off Saturday as i had no tunes!

[Domsz06]

yeah I hate not having tunes!!

[Razzman]

I checked the deep batt voltage and it's only showing 11.44 volts. I would assume that's enough to power the amps. I remember when i first installed it i ran the stereo in testing up until i drained the batt and it hadn't even been fully charged yet.

All connections were tight at the batts and the iso. I haven't checked connections at the amps yet, gotta crawl into the otherside for that.

So now i'm wondering if my brand new 65 amp alt from DB is enough to charge both batts? If ya'll recall i had to go with the 65 because DB couldn't figure out why i have an additional wire they couldn't identify. I'm going to have to install a volt gauge for the deep to keep an eye on it!

[Moki]

It could be the kind of music that you are listening to My first amp from DB would not kick in until around 1500 rpm and they sent me out a new one. It is possible that it got damaged in shipping. I would recommend that you take your alternator to a nearby shop and ensure that you are getting 65 amps out of it.

[Domsz06]

I hope my 130 one is strong enough.

[dogbert]

I hope my 130 one is strong enough.

Probably not, but I hear they're able to do wonders with small fusion devices these days

[Domsz06]

fusion? your being sarcastic right?

[philwsailz]

Razz-

What amps you got?

11.44 volts at the batt might do it, or might not. Many times a drained batt will still sneak up to close to 12 even though it is drained. Kick drum gets going, voltage sags, as the amp is trying to pull power that is not there, voltage goes under 10.5, (for a KICKER) and the amp will turn off with big energy hits.

I am on the road, and will be barely visiting the site until Wednesday, but if I can help, somehow, I want to if you don't figure it out by when I get back to the office.

[laketime]

sorry, that sucks. are brand new front speakers blew out second trip out with them so i feel ya kinda

[Razzman]

Razz-

What amps you got?

11.44 volts at the batt might do it, or might not. Many times a drained batt will still sneak up to close to 12 even though it is drained. Kick drum gets going, voltage sags, as the amp is trying to pull power that is not there, voltage goes under 10.5, (for a KICKER) and the amp will turn off with big energy hits.

I am on the road, and will be barely visiting the site until Wednesday, but if I can help, somehow, I want to if you don't figure it out by when I get back to the office.

Phil, I'm running the Orion HP4800 & HP2400

[philwsailz]

????????

Hmmm....

I would start methodically at this point. Re-check everything, starting with a good charged power source. The fact that swapping batts might be a sign.

Then check for:
* loose power wires, (12v and ground)
* loose turn-on lead connections
* Loose / shorted speaker connections on the offending amp

I don't think from what I read it is signal level, unless by chance you have a loose ground, and the RCA's are actually providing a ground source, (okay, not really signal level, but the suggestion is in that side of things).

SP, what else would you think to check prior to removing the system and bench-testing it?

Keep us posted!!!!!

I am in the car on the road the rest of the day, but will check back from the office tomorrow...

Have a great day guys!