Why is my amp so hot?

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timmyjimmy5150

Member - Posts: 32

Joined: February 05, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: March 31, 2006 at 4:44 PM / IP Logged

Okay...

I have a JL 450/4 amp pushing 4 sets of component speakers in my F-150 truck. The amp is located under the rear bench.....

Today, I had the radio turned up pretty loud --- probably 3/4 the way up..... I started to smell a "hot" electrical type smell from the rear of the truck........ I turned the radio down and later felt the amp --- It was very hot.

What causes this? Is it lack of air movement or something wired incorrectly? Please help with any advice.

TJ

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kgerry

Platinum - Posts: 3,455

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: February 07, 2004

Location: Saskatchewan, Canada

Posted: March 31, 2006 at 4:51 PM / IP Logged

what is the impedence load on the amp?

Kevin Gerry

Certified Electronics Technician

MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer

Classic Car Audio

since 1979

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timmyjimmy5150

Member - Posts: 32

Joined: February 05, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: March 31, 2006 at 4:53 PM / IP Logged

I'm sorry... I'm an amateur......

Please explain to me what this means? Could this maybe be the problem?

The amp even seems to run "warm" at low volumes...

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Joined: November 01, 2003

Location: Alberta, Canada

Posted: March 31, 2006 at 7:22 PM / IP Logged

An amp is designed to get hot, heat is a natural byproduct of amplification. Your amplifier is a class ab amp. This in easy to understand terms means that it may be on a good day, 65% efficient at producing power, the other 35% is heat. The longer and louder something is played, the higher the heat signature of the amp. If one has a bad ground or is using the wrong guage power and ground wire, the heat signature of the amp will be higher. If the load is being ran at lower impedences, then the heat signature of the amp is going to rise as well. If it is in an area with little to no movement of air, the heat signature will rise. So heat is going to be there to stay, make sure you have good airflow to keep the amp cool, ensure that you have a proper ground, use the right guage power and ground wires and finally ensure that the gain is set properly.

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

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Why is my amp so hot?

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