wiring problem

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=14269
Printed Date: July 26, 2025 at 10:32 PM

Topic: wiring problem

Posted By: cyberdog
Subject: wiring problem
Date Posted: May 31, 2003 at 11:59 PM

i've got a 4 channel kenwood amp... In my front, the drive and passanger have 2 kicker speakers each. The speakers at 4 ohms each.. Right now i have them in parrallel 2 x 4ohm = 2 ohm.. For some reason anytime I turn it up really loud, the amp cuts out and comes back in.. I tried in series with 2 x 4ohm = 8 ohm.. but i dont think the amp can't take that.. Could this be a power problem? or wiring? Thanks

Replies:

Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: June 01, 2003 at 11:13 AM

lol...your amp will most definitely take 8 ohm...its the 2 ohm that it is struggling with...ohms are a measure of resistance, and the greater the resistance, (8 ohm is greater resistance than 4 or 2) the less power it puts out (typically)...you are trying to make the amp work too hard at 2 ohm mono and it is just shutting down as opposed to outright frying its internal componentry...

why dont you run each individual speaker to each channel...4 speakers = 4 channels, thereby putting a 4 ohm load to the amp and maximizing its potential without going over...

are you bridging the amp right now? is that why you are only using 2 channels?

Posted By: esmith69
Date Posted: June 01, 2003 at 11:16 AM

hehe while I was writing this reply big purds beat me to it posted_image

The amp should certainly be able to handle an 8 ohm load,but remember that technically an 8 ohm load means the amp will not put out as much clean power, so in theory you wouldn't be able to turn it up as loud before it starts going into clipping. But I've never seen an amp that automatically shuts off when it starts clipping though....

Also most 2 and 4 channel amps can handle 2 ohm stereo loads which might be how you had it hooked up, but most likely you had it hooked up as a 2 ohm mono load like big purds said. I'm having a hard time visualizing your setup.

What gauge is your power and ground wiring? If it's something really small then that might cause it to cut out.

Also does this happen when the whole system is turned up, or just this particular amplifier?

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Ethan
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"Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success"
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