Subs cut off briefly - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

JohnCWms27 · 06-18-2004, 10:07 AM

I have 2 10" subs in the trunk of my Camry...I notice when it is hot outside, or if the trunk is especially hot that day, my amp will cut off for about 4-5 seconds and then come back on...and it gets really annoying - i think the amp is overheating...i know once or twice it actually blew the fuse in the amp (easy to replace, but still annoying). anyone know how i can cool the amp down so this doesnt happen? especially now thats its summer time, i would hate to put it with that for so long

KILLACAMNY · 06-18-2004, 10:14 AM

Well, I know they sell cooling fans that you can install, but it depends on how your amp set up is.

JohnCWms27 · 06-18-2004, 10:15 AM

do the cooling fans get power from the amp?

JaJay721 · 06-18-2004, 10:20 AM

How is your amp mounted? How big is it? Perhaps you can fit it inside the cabin so it cools.

JohnCWms27 · 06-18-2004, 10:21 AM

amp is screwed to the roof of the trunk (not the trunk lid, but the trunk)...right above the subs...kinda near the back seats

JaJay721 · 06-18-2004, 10:53 AM

That's a problem. Heat rises... Try mounting it on your back seats or on the floor of your trunk.

KILLACAMNY · 06-18-2004, 10:53 AM

Fans are connected wit the some power, ground, rem wires as an amp. But you might consider changing the amp location. The sun hits the top of the trunk where the amp is located. Plus amps are designed to dissipate heat when installed vertically, like behind a seat. The heat is not going anywhere when installed on the roof of the trunk.

JohnCWms27 · 06-18-2004, 11:53 AM

how exactly does the amp dissipate heat when installed vertically, but not horizontally? as it as now, the bottom of the amp is on the roof of the trunk - you have a good point about the trunk being hottest there. The back of my sub-box is near the back seats...if i were to screw the amp onto the back of the box, so it is sitting vertically, would that help? obviously it wouldnt be as hot there, but do you think it would dissipate more heat in that case also?

JohnCWms27 · 06-18-2004, 12:04 PM

I just read another article in the forum with a guy with a similar problem (except his amp would overheat in about 5 minutes...big difference)...somebody mentioned that if the fuse blows (which mine has a few times) it may be an internal problem in the amp. does this make sense? if thats the case, no problemo, 2-year warranty on that POS...

I should also mention: when the fuse blows, it goes into "Protection" mode

JaJay721 · 06-18-2004, 12:29 PM

What he meant by verticly was that the system boards and circuits are on the bottom of the amp. They release heat and the top of the amp is designed to disappate it. When you turn the amp upside down and mount it to a hot surface the heat can't escape into open air, instead it heats up the bottom (your top) of the amp where all the circuitry is and it can't escape. It builds up to where it gets too hot and shuts down to protect itself or it blows. Mounting it upside isn't a good idea for the reason that it traps the heat on the boards rather than expelling the heat out the top of the amp. Mounting it upside to a hot surface is an extremely bad idea. If you're having problems with it now you may blow the amp this summer if you don't do something about it.

JohnCWms27 · 06-18-2004, 12:34 PM

makes sense - thx for the explanation...i'm going to put my amp on the behind my subs - i dont think i have enough room to lay it on the floor, and i dont want it above the subs (looks bad and also is high up)...i think i'm going to turn it vertically on the back of the box. thanks for the help guys

JaJay721 · 06-18-2004, 12:36 PM

Putting it on the box is sometimes a bad idea as well since the bass and flex of the enclosure is no good for the amp. But if you're running a small load you should be fine. Good luck. Another common spot is drilling it to the back of the seats in your trunk.

JohnCWms27 · 06-18-2004, 12:38 PM

good idea - i might try the back of the seats but where can i drill it in...there isnt sheetmetal there is there?

JaJay721 · 06-18-2004, 12:40 PM

There is a backing, I'm not sure what it is made of in the Camry, but it will hold your amp.

eddiem67 · 06-18-2004, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JaJay721
Putting it on the box is sometimes a bad idea as well since the bass and flex of the enclosure is no good for the amp. But if you're running a small load you should be fine. Good luck. Another common spot is drilling it to the back of the seats in your trunk.

Amps on sub enclosures is a myth, do it if you have to, I dont like to. if you have an enclosure that is flexing, I hope you throw it away and get a better box!!!!