Sub amp wiring problem

[kjdavis]

Subs connected, disconnecting the sup input leads at the amp and the sub remains sucked in until you either cut power, or disconnect the wires from the amp to the sub.

Im using 8 gauge for the ground, about a foot long...and 8 gauge for the power, about a two feet long from the distribution block.

I checked the wireing and Im running them in series just like it says on JL's site, as well as on Crutchfield...

Crutchfield Sub Wiring

 

[kjdavis]

I appreciate your help by the way...this is frustrating!

 

[bushpilot]

what amp do you have <model number>.

depending on which 10w3v2 you have (there are THREE different
models, btw)...you have either a 2, 4 or 6 ohm load (based on your series wiring).

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/pdfs/10W3v2_MAN.pdf

 

[kjdavis]

Its an older MTX 4405 Thunder series.

I downloaded the manual..trying to look that over.

I had a JBL 1200.1 in there before but that didnt work either...

 

[bushpilot]

I had a JBL 1200.1 in there before but that didnt work either...

same subs & wiring though right

when you connect the subs to the amp im assuming theyre
drawing in w/out any VOLUME pushed to the amp...is that right ?

it sounds to me theres a short to ground in your sub wiring or
the wiring to the sub/amp itself.

are the other FOUR channels of the MTX amp working ok ?

 

[kjdavis]

same subs & wiring though right

when you connect the subs to the amp im assuming theyre
drawing in w/out any VOLUME pushed to the amp...is that right ?

it sounds to me theres a short to ground in your sub wiring or
the wiring to the sub/amp itself.

are the other FOUR channels of the MTX amp working ok ?

Yeah, same wiring and subs. The moment the amp gets power, even unhooked from the headunit, the sub draws in.

So you think my ground is bad for the amp? I will have to check that, wiring is wierd I guess, the simplest thing can cause so much frustration.

I dont have anything running off the other 4 channels. I had the JBL in to run the subs, and I couldnt get that to work....so I thought the amp was bad. So, a buddy let me borrow the MTX and Im having the exact same problem. I have the 5th channel (sub channel) just for the subs on the MTX. My door speakers are running off a seperate 4 channel Phoenix Gold amp.

 

[bushpilot]

the only thing COMMON in your trouble shooting is the
wiring (having tried TWO different amps and experienced
the same problem).

audio signal power to the amp is minimal (volume turned down)
i dont think youve got a + or - power suppl-ing issue.

if your ground or power leads to the amp are poor youre more
likely to see it at higher volume levels.

theres something up w/ the subs or the wiring from the amp to
the speakers and between the TWO subs, and thats were id
start looking (at the subs)

check and CONFIRM the subs are properly wired IN SERIES
and there are no SHORTS to the speaker frames or wiring.

eliminate ONE sub (just try to get one working by itself)...
confirm that BOTH subs work BY THEMSELVES direct connected
to the amp, then we can start looking at the wiring between
the subs <afterward>

 

[kjdavis]

Well...I tried messing around with the speakers themselves and checking them. I unplugged one completly and just tried one. They are dual voice coil, and I tried the wiring several ways....just connecting the positive and negative, then adding the jumper wire on the positive and negative like they say how to wire a speaker in series. I got the same results...no sound, just the sub pulling in.

I think I need to try to double check the power, signal, and ground...mainly the ground I believe.

 

[bagstroke]

TRy hooking one of your subs to your 4 channel..See if you get sound from that amp. Then you can narrow it down to wiring on the subs/bad rca or ground to the amp itself..

 

[kjdavis]

Well...did a series of other things today after work. Still nothing. I checked the ground, trying different spots and have the same affect on all.

I bench tested the subs with a battery to make sure they were wired properly, they are. I then hooked one sub up to the 4 channel amp that I know is working, and I got some sound out of it...so the sub works.

I then tried taking an entirely different set of RCAs and ran then from the headunit to the amp, instead of the others that ran under the carpet etc...and same result.

Im going to toss this crap out the window on the freeway.....