Sub issues Options

[powerkor]

I installed my 18" kicker impulse with matching amp (kick impulse amp)... I installed it correctly and it worked fine for a month... but just the other day, I was listening to it, it sounded fine... I turned off the car... and later that day, when I turned my car back on, the sub wouldn't work. No sound comes out of it unless I turn the volume WAY up and turn the sub volume on max. What happens then is it feels like there's not enough power and it sounds like ****... I've been reading and it might be a voice coil... but i dont think i blew the speaker entirely.

I checked the fuses, both of the metal resistors seem to be intact and all the connections seem to be solid.

I'm puzzled.

[Scarrell]

sub is fried, you can hook another sub up to it to find this out.

[powerkor]

how can i prevent this from happening again if i buy another one?
i dont have a capacitor, should i get one?

[1900WattCelica]

Why dont you hook up another larger speaker or subwoofer to it and turn the gain way down or the volume just to be sure it is the speaker and not a problem with the amplifier. From what you described i dont get how the speaker could fry like that.

EDIT: Capacitors help with your cars electrical charging system. They can help certain issues such as light dimming on bass hits, but will not have any impact on how the amplifier works or the subwoofers life cycle

This post has been edited by 1900WattCelica: Nov 10, 2004 - 12:21 PM

[Scarrell]

you can prevent it by setting your gains on your amp correctly. also having a box for the subs exact specs is something you will need too. a capacitor is a 50/50 thing, they help some, but not enough for everyone to use them. that is up to you. no matter what your lights will dim. you might want to look into a high ouput altenator and Optima batteries (even with this your lights will dim, but not nearly as bad). there is no solution to this. remember to check ALL your wiring and ground points. and make sure you have the proper fuse size in.

[Gilbert_619]

trash...you over powered the sub causing it to heat and fry...does it smell?
make sure on your next sub you get a sub that can handle the rms or turn your gain down...like other people said a capacitor is only tempary solution to a every lasting problem....in other words useless pretty much..check all your wires..fuses...make sure the right gauge is use for the amp....also your box needs the right specs...seal boxs tend to handle more rms for subs but ported cant cuz of the movement of air.

[powerkor]

i doubt i over powered the sub since the amp was made to power it (kicker impulse sub and amp)... it doesn't smell from outside the box.... the only thing i think it sound with it is when i tap on the cone it doesnt make a bass tone.. it just sounds like im hitting the surface.

i didn't open it up yet to see if the wires inside are correctly connected, but i will asap... all the wiring seems to be solidly connected outside the box.

the gain and bass settings were set up with the dial right in the middle.

fuses intact.

i'll have to get a screwdriver and unscrew the sub from the box too see what the hell is going on. I think its one of three things...

1) burned voice coil
2) loose wire inside the box
3) busted seal

[jbnery6465]

why the hell did you put an 18" sub in the first place...WoW!! and i thought the mtx 15" spl comp sub was huge enough...

[powerkor]

cus it sounds great and its freakin loud

[1900WattCelica]

Have you tried hooking up another speaker at all? The loose connections in the box is a definite possibility. I kinda doubt u fried your sub unless you dont know how to wire it.

[DamDirtyApes]

im sure an 18 inch sub doesnt sound great, it is simply to big to h ave tight clean bass. 8,10, or 12 are the only sizes that u will get great sounding bass out of, 12 is even pushing it

[powerkor]

that's ur opinion, ive heard many subs, and this 18" is at the top of its game. its deep, clear and loud. i guess you'd just have to hear it to believe.

[Scarrell]

ok lets not start an arguement about that, this topic is about the sound, so have you come to any conclusions? or tried anything else? let us know how your trouble is coming along

[Drocay]

its fried, same exact thing happend to my old polk.

[Ricky]

first thind I would do is to lower the gain on the amp and test a different speaker to see if the amp is working properly.

second, connect the box to a different amp, if you dont have another amp just ask one of your friends. test the box.

Now you isolated the amp from the speaker box.

going by what you described the capacitor will not help you at all. It is to release big amout of power when is needed. this does not sound like the problem you mentioned.

Speakers do not get blown unless you are applying a ton of power into a speaker, the main reason for a speaker to be blown is distortion...

do you have a X-over going into the sub cuting off the mid and hi frequencies or are you running it at full range ? if you are running them at full range there is a possibility that the cone was damaged....

[powerkor]

i had it running on low freq not full range

[Digndoug]

no matter what your lights will dim. you might want to look into a high ouput altenator and Optima batteries (even with this your lights will dim, but not nearly as bad). there is no solution to this. remember to check ALL your wiring and ground points. and make sure you have the proper fuse size in.
[right][snapback]205803[/snapback][/right]

You really dont know anything about cap's then. A cap, is in easy terms, a batt that rechages 100 times fast, there for you wont hav dimming. I have 2 12" subs, and when i max it out, pushing 1800 watts i get NO dimming what so ever. I also have a 2 farad cap. but this has nothing to do with the sub being blown.

[SoundSlut_dotcom]

sub aint fried.... check ur ground wire first... thats probably melted... replace it with a thicker one and put it in a better spot...

peace

[Scarrell]

haha...thats funny....your subs are pushing 1800watts? wow ive never heard of that.. please tell me how your subs are pushing 1800watts? what amp are you using? oh and do some research kid.... caps are a "if you want" type of thing. oh and a cap holds a charge til its needed also.. thanks for trying, but please try again.

[SoundSlut_dotcom]

scarell i dont know u , but ur a fool.