Car Amplifier Problem

[Atomicide]

Probably a long shot trying here, but um stuck for ideas at the moment. Ive got a car amplifier installed in my car, and it seems to cut-out (not entirely sure if it cuts out completely) when im driving and operate anything that uses power in the car.

Eg, Braking, Indicators, Wipers, turning the heater on/off.

Whats odd about this issue is if i have the car parked and turn the indicator on, in the first instance it will cut out, but after that its fine. If im driving however, it will cut each and every time i turn the indicators on.

For those that dont know when your driving the car, the alternator helps with power generation, which means it isnt a low power supply, as this would mean it would happen all the time when the car was parked and occasionally when im driving (reverse of current situation).

If anyone knows anything or can help me in anyway id be quite grateful.

Thanks,

Atomicide.

 

[Richens]

Here's a few questions you can ask yourself.

A: Should i consider just getting a new battery as mine may be old?
B: Have i earthed the amp to a suitable object in the car?
C: Have i purchased a faulty amp?

All i can think of at the mo.

 

[Stonehelm]

Has it always been like that or has it just started?

 

[Atomicide]

Has it always been like that or has it just started?

Always been like that, but when the volume is right up its not very noticable. The main problem occurs when the volume is down low cos the "Thud" as it cuts out is still really loud.

ive changed the input levels slightly to lower then and it results in the thud being lowewr in volume as well.

Richens: The amp doesnt appear to be faulty as it worked fine in a friends car.

The battery could do with upgrading because its ran low recently. But i dont think thats contributing becuase the problem didnt seem to get worse or better at any point. Even now with the battery completely chareged it presents the exact same problem.

The Amp is earthed via a bolt in my boot ive removed all the paint where the ring from the earth cable connects, and its held in with a star washer as well.

I cant tell if its the safety switch coming on for whatever reason, but it doesnt appear to be as ive forced the safety to activate today and it remained in "safe mode" untill i turned the head unit on, then off again.



Edit: Stonehelm, are you in anyway affiliated with the company "Stonehelm breweries" ?

 

[BottledGoods]

Checked ll your wires for the amp, sounds like a simple loose connection
you wire it in yourself?

 

[Skyline]

Take it to a car audio place, let them look at it for you.

 

[Stonehelm]

Have you checked all your fuses?

And no those robbing *******s stole my name.

 

[Warez]

erm id say that thers a setting on amp or that your car battery is running low id go to halfords or sumthing, they will have a look for free

 

[Floyd]

i thnk richens hit the nail on the head. if u play it loud ur putting strain on ur battery/altenator, try installing a capasiter thigy( i thnk thts wot its called *dont do ICE anymore )

 

[Atomicide]

i thnk richens hit the nail on the head. if u play it loud ur putting strain on ur battery/altenator, try installing a capasiter thigy( i thnk thts wot its called *dont do ICE anymore )

Yeah i was considering a capacitor, however, im going to take my spare car battery that im charging at the moment, and try running it directly from that. But like i said before. The problem occurs while im driving.

If im parked and turn the car on (but dont start the engine) the sound is flawless. I can put on the wipers, indicate, activate the brake light and it remaines perfect. its once im in motion the problems start, and thats whats baffling me.

When stationary, all the electrics are active, and are running from pure battery power. When im moving it can suck power from the alternator and then the Battery as well so it shouldnt happen.

As for conenctions ive powered, and put the music on loud then shook the amp around pulled all the wires etc, and it remained fine. I might jsut take it to halfords, but they will be less inclined to look at it for free seeing as im not buying anything from them.

 

[konnichiwa]

what voltage is your amp? sounds like the alternator is pushing more volts than it can take.

 

[Atomicide]

Everything runs off the battery voltage, the alternator generates power and supplies it to the battery which in return supplies it to the car. So the voltage being pushed will remain the same at all times. Its 12v in the UK as far as im aware.

The Amp and Subwoofer match perfectly, both providing a 1200w max output with 600w RMS (approx).

Im going to test a few things tomorow, and ill post the results on here if none of them work. Things im going to try are:

Mounting the Amplifier on a block of plywood on rubber feet to completely isolate it from car. (At the moment its on a spare peice of carpet from carpeting my sub box.

Im also going to try running the amplifier from its own seperate battery, not sure how long a lone battery will be able to power the amplifier though.

Im also going to see if the "safety mode" light is coming on when it cuts even though im 99% sure thats not the problem, becuase it happens at low volume as well. but its possible that the "on" light will be cutting out.

 

[Rick-e]

Install a surpressor on the alternator, they're cheap (Good one about 14 quid). Make sure everything is WELL earthed with some quality cable.

Don't run the amp off a seperate battery, not only will it look gay but it will only last an hour for a 6-12 hour charge

If all else fails, try getting a better quality car battery. Perhaps one that kicks out more current.

Car battery voltage is 12, can't get more or less as far as I know, not that it matters anyway consider volts can't travel without current and are generated by resistance. So that's not your problem.

If im parked and turn the car on (but dont start the engine) the sound is flawless. I can put on the wipers, indicate, activate the brake light and it remaines perfect. its once im in motion the problems start, and thats whats baffling me.

Could be a sign on poor earth, it may not the the "cool" thing to do, but get yourself and earth strip or 2 for your mudflaps.

Let me know how you get on.