I used the DMM, now what?

 

Silver Member
Username: Goon

Post Number: 286
Registered: Feb-05
Ok, I took the advice got a DMM and checked the power wire by the dist. block, the needle didn't move an inch. I touched the remote wire from the amp to the power wire and no sparks or anything. Does this mean the amp is blown, is it possible to fix it? Or should I throw it in the trash? thansk again guys.
 

Gold Member
Username: Carguy

Post Number: 4187
Registered: Nov-04
Refresh your problem/story?
What did you measure? Did you check the voltage by the battery posts with engine off and on? What were those readings?
Are you saying you got no voltage at the d block? There should be 12.5v - 13.8v with the car radio on on the remote wires.
Anything can be fixed, you just need to weigh the cost of repair vs new amp.
 

Silver Member
Username: Goon

Post Number: 287
Registered: Feb-05
Well I checked the voltage by the block, and nothing. the car was off with the electronics all on. i even checked it by the battery and nothing. Just to be sure I will repeat this process, but exactly where do I want the DMM set? I tried every setting. I even cleaned the connection from the battery to the wire, to make sure there was a connection and all the crud was off. I sanded the rust/metal where the ground goes, to make sure the connections were good.

This was my previous post:
Ok, i have an orion hccca 250 hooked up to two infinity perfects. everything was working fine and then everything just shut off. this wasn't after a few mins of working. the systems had been working for a few weeks. the amp doesn't seem to be fried or anything. i didn't notice any smoke and nothing on the board looks burnt. i checked the remote wire and the ground wire several times. no, fuses are blown and the power cable has a solid connection. what else can i check or do to see if i can get this thing working again? there has to be something else. thanks for the help.
 

Gold Member
Username: Carguy

Post Number: 4190
Registered: Nov-04
You need to set the DMM to DCV, for measuring DC. If not, you will get zero reading on must DMM cause they have overload protection built in.
 

Silver Member
Username: Goon

Post Number: 288
Registered: Feb-05
Ok, so set it to DCV for the power wire and remote wire, and the reading should be 12.5v-13.8v for both. I will go over this once more to double check and get back to you. thanks for your time isaac. also if i need to get a new amp, is there much difference in running 1ohm load vs 4ohm? I know 1ohm will produce more heat, but any othe difference?
 

Gold Member
Username: Carguy

Post Number: 4191
Registered: Nov-04
It's always best to get max power at 4ohms vs 1ohm. Not only will the amp run cooler, but you also get more headroom and SQ.
It'll cost you a lot more though.
 

Silver Member
Username: Goon

Post Number: 289
Registered: Feb-05
Yeah i've noticed. exactly how much sound quality would I be loosing? really noticable or nothign serious for the average user?
 

Silver Member
Username: Goon

Post Number: 291
Registered: Feb-05
Ok, I did the test again. i didn't get any readings. so whats the next step in this process?
thanks for your time Isaac, it seems i can never get a system to work right.
 

Gold Member
Username: Carguy

Post Number: 4192
Registered: Nov-04
Try this to see if your DMM is set correctly. Measure your battery. You should get a reading. If not, you've either set the dial to incorrect mode or the probes are in the wrong holes. You should have black and red. There should also be 3 or 4 holes with different symbols. Check your owner's manual for which holes to use with the probes.
Once that's settled, redo the test. If you still don't get any voltage at the D block, then there is no power there. Meaning, either the fuse is blown or the power wire is loose. Just repeat the above test procedures.

You will hardly be able to tell SQ difference by ear between 4ohm mode and 1 ohm mode.
 

Silver Member
Username: Goon

Post Number: 292
Registered: Feb-05
Well I can tell you my DMM has only two slots, + and -, and they are color coded so i didnt get that backwards. On the distribution block, i would imagine i put the positive probe to the wire, but what do I do with the - ? thanks.
 

Gold Member
Username: Carguy

Post Number: 4195
Registered: Nov-04
You put the + to pos wire, and - to ground wire. See if you get any voltage. If not, put - to your car's chassis.
 

Silver Member
Username: Goon

Post Number: 294
Registered: Feb-05
Ahhh OK that might explain a lot. thanks isaac. I'll let you know how it goes.
« Previous Thread Next Thread »



Main Forums

Today's Posts

Forum Help

Follow Us