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Car amplifiers
 
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My amplifier is overheating, its a rockford fosgate 551x its powering 4 speakers rated at 60 rms i have 9 gage power cable and 5 gage ground, its on the floor in the back seat. I am wondering why it would be overheating, could it be the gage of wire?

By surf_life Asked Jan 2 2008 11:51PM
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First Answer

by Old School - In Memory of Harley on Jan 3, 2008 at 12:12 am Permalink

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How do you know that amplifier is overheating?

Based on the stats for the amp (75W x 4 @ 4 Ohms, 140 W x 4 @ 2 Ohms), the maximum current your amp will draw is about 30 amps.

10 gauge wire is rated to deliver up to 100 amps @ 12V, so 9 gauge wire is plenty. 5 gauge wire is more than plenty.

In any event, if the amp is overheating, it's because you are either demanding too much current (i.e. cranking it too loud) or it's not getting enough cooling air circulation.

Did you install it UNDER the carpet in the back seat floor? That would probably do it. Generally, you need 1"-2" of airspace around the amp to allow cooling air to circulate.

Good luck.
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Avatar Old School - In Memory of Harley Jan, 03 2008 at 06:37 AM
It may not be an overheating issue. It sounds more like you are exceeding the amp's current limits and its protection circuits are kicking in. When it shuts off, does it turn back on within a few seconds or does it take a few minutes?
Avatar surf_life Jan, 03 2008 at 04:25 PM
it takes a few seconds, then it turns back on...is the amp broken?
Avatar Old School - In Memory of Harley Jan, 04 2008 at 04:35 PM
That sounds like the current protection circuits are kicking in. I don't think it's overheating.


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My amplifier is overheating, its a rockford fosgate 551x its powering 4 speakers rated at 60 rms i have 9 gage power cable and 5 gage ground, its on the floor in the back seat. I am wondering why it would be overheating, could it be the gage of wire?

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