Amplifier Enters Protection Mode

Hi all,
I have read a lot about amps entering Protection Mode however couldn't find anything that is the same issue as mine.

So when I turn the radio up the amp goes into protection mode. I know this is due to the bass and the power. I need to know how to configure/fix this.

I have to turn the radio off and turn it back on to get the amp to exit protection mode

The amp Sony Xplod XM1252GTR
800 W peak output
170 watts RMS x 2 @ 2 ohms
340 watts RMS x 1 bridged @ 4 ohms

The Subs Sony Xplod XS-L104P5B

4 ohms 1200 watts

The headunit Sony Xplod CDX-GT330
52 watts X 4

The Cap Tsunami LITEWAVE Series PP1002TM
2 farad

Now the amp wire is only 8 gauge, but could that really be the problem?

The ground is good, i know that is a normal issue.

Any ideas.
Thanks

its nice to see a post with all the specs, but you left out the details of how the system is wired, specifically, the amp to the sub, and the capacitor wiring.

i have a feeling that you have wired the sub as a 2 ohm load, and that is what is causing the protect mode.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by soundman98

its nice to see a post with all the specs, but you left out the details of how the system is wired, specifically, the amp to the sub, and the capacitor wiring.

i have a feeling that you have wired the sub as a 2 ohm load, and that is what is causing the protect mode.

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Either that or your voltage is dropping too low if you batt is on its way out.

Sorry about missing the wiring, the wiring goes, from the + batt through the firewall to the cap in the trunk screwed to the sub box, - of cap goes to ground, + of cap goes to amp. - of amp goes to ground, might be same ground source, i forget off the off my head. the sub speaker wire goes Straight to the amp, left sub + goes to left + on amp left - goes to left - on amp, right + goes to + on amp right - goes to right on amp, NO bridging.
Its a 06 tibby, so the batt is 06, i dont think its on its way out. I did have a yellow top in my old car, 96 integra, which i was thinking of getting another one.

Hope this helps,
Thanks.

P.s how would i change the 2 ohm load?

sounds like everything is connected correctly, it could be a internal amp issue, the best way to find that out though would be to use a ohm meter to verify that each sub has a resistance of approx. 4 ohms. if one of them is lower, that would be the problem.

Ok Thanks, I'll try that this weekend.
Just checking, just plug the + of the meter to the + of the sub and same with -'s and turn the radio on, or will it detect it off?
Thanks

you will need to unplug the subs from the amp, and like you said, measure across teh + and - terminals of each sub.

If you have your meter out, check the voltage across the + and - of the amp when it goes into protect. If its under 10-11volts, then your problem is probably your cars electrical.

I assume that your amp is also screwed onto your sub box since you have your cap there as well? If so, I would bet that your amp is bad since that is the worst place to place anything of importance. All of those vibrations, shock, and impacts driving its way from the subs movement to your amps sensitive solder joints internally is a sure fire way to get rid of it quicker.
Or you could pray its not that and just something with your wiring or your subs.

Given all of your specs are accurate, It could also be caused by trying to overdrive the amp with horrible clipping. It would be sufficient to say that the output of your amp is not evenly matched to your subs. Technically speaking I would only recommend the use of one of those subs to be powered by that amp bridged. But given the current constraints of your amp, you are technically only able to drive each channel with 125 Watts RMS of clean power @ 4 ohms when it can take 330 Watts RMS each speaker. Because of this power inadequacy you probably have the gain nearly Maxed out to compensate to get anywhere near desirable bass.

Essentially you are doubling the maximum clean power your amp can produce for a distorted/clipping signal. So instead of that 125 Watts Rms the amp can only give cleanly, you are giving 250 Watts Rms of distortion. This can severely wear down the subs from excessive residual heat.
Read up on the section Severe Clipping (square wave) about 2-3 pages down for a complete explanation.

Since this configuration is (in theory) destroying the subs=[HL]PROTECTION LIGHT[/HL]



*side note*-your amp is not capable of bridging down to 2 ohms, if you thought about attempting that, DON'T. It would not be recommended with your current equiptment. You'll probably end up with the same problem or worse*