Kenwood KAC-7201 Overheating

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=54392
Printed Date: May 15, 2024 at 1:38 AM

Topic: Kenwood KAC-7201 Overheating

Posted By: NHxj4x4
Subject: Kenwood KAC-7201 Overheating
Date Posted: April 21, 2005 at 10:44 PM

Guys,

I'm running a Kenwood KAC-7201 bridged to 4 ohms pushing 460watts RMS to 2 Infinity Perfect 10.1d subs in a ported box 1cu/ft per chamber. I'm wired with 4ga, going to a 1 farad cap, whewwww....

Anyway, since the temp has gotten above 60ish in NH, I'm overheating bad. I can barely get through 1 song without a shutdown. I have the amp bolted to 1" MDF that is carpeted. Should I have some sort of spacer under the amp, so there is space between it and the carpet? Maybe add a fan into the trunk (which I do not want to do)

I have't had the amp very long, and I would prefer to keep it as I do like it (up till now) Pic of my trunk layout: posted_image

Any suggestions would be very appeciated.

Thanks!

Todd

Replies:

Posted By: LTHLQUICKSILVER
Date Posted: April 21, 2005 at 10:47 PM

Is the onboard fan on the amp working? Can you hear it?

Otherwise, try spacers (it couldn't hurt). I believe the Kenwoods disperse heat from the sides so make sure that left side of the amp isn't right up against the wall of your trunk.

Posted By: NHxj4x4
Date Posted: April 21, 2005 at 10:50 PM

fan is spinning, although it does sound a tad weak compared to how it sounded orginally. The amp is very close to the wall of the trunk.

Posted By: LTHLQUICKSILVER
Date Posted: April 21, 2005 at 11:20 PM

THe next step I would try is to get another KAC-7201 from a shop "temporarily" and see if the fan is stronger on the new one. Once you have found this out, return the amp you just bought and figure out what you want to do from there. My shop just discontinued those amps but I still have a few left, your nearby shops may have some also. Give that a shot.

Also, try pulling the amp away from the wall a bit more.

Posted By: NHxj4x4
Date Posted: April 21, 2005 at 11:22 PM

not sure why this would have happened though, I had it last summer as well, well not summer but it was warm out at least. just frikkin annoying.

Posted By: LTHLQUICKSILVER
Date Posted: April 22, 2005 at 12:01 AM

If you had the same setup last summer, then I would lean toward the fan in the amp going out. Even if it just slowed down, the amp would be greatly affected.

Posted By: lspker
Date Posted: April 22, 2005 at 10:23 PM

Are you sure that your wired up at four ohm?(checked with meter)Is there any chance the one of the coils is wired "out of phase". That amp should run fine in 4 ohm mono, warm, but not hot. Shouldn't shut down unless, maybe the lead wires are shorting out by exessive movement. Its hard to tell, how long is the ground wire? Also, check voltage at the amp while playing. If voltage is low, the amp will overheat and shut down.

Posted By: kgerry
Date Posted: April 23, 2005 at 2:11 PM

ahh, look at all the multi colored spaggetti........ i would suspect an impedence problem myself...if the amp is wired to see a 4 ohm load it shouldnt be shutting down thermally......

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Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979

Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: April 23, 2005 at 3:15 PM

Ayand tell me about the ground and the return resistance. Resistance = heat.

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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.