Low Volt on jl amp...help please
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Orange County, CA
C230 K Coupe (05)
Low Volt on jl amp...help please
I posted this on the audio forum since that is the most appropriate place but could u guys lend a helping hand too please? Thanks!
G
https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-ele...lt-jl-amp.html
G
https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-ele...lt-jl-amp.html
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
If the battery will start the car & get it running the alternator should take over. I think you might have tripped a protection circuit in the amp that has not reset itself. Try removing power from the amp & then reconnect. If this does not help call the good folk at JL Audio. They are very helpful with their high end audio subs so I'm sure they will help you troubleshoot. They know their product & it will stop a lot of guessing & trial & error. JLA make some of the finest subs out there.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Orange County, CA
C230 K Coupe (05)
If the battery will start the car & get it running the alternator should take over. I think you might have tripped a protection circuit in the amp that has not reset itself. Try removing power from the amp & then reconnect. If this does not help call the good folk at JL Audio. They are very helpful with their high end audio subs so I'm sure they will help you troubleshoot. They know their product & it will stop a lot of guessing & trial & error. JLA make some of the finest subs out there.
Thread Starter
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From: Orange County, CA
C230 K Coupe (05)
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From: Queens, Ny
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The questions is does your sub hit properly and do you lights dim or anything when the subwoofer is about to hit hard? I'll tell you from what I know, if other components of the car loose power when the subwoofer is about to hit, then you need a cap.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The JL Power supplies have more than adequate caps built into them. Do nothing that JL don't recommend. If a Sub amp draws enough current to dim your lights with a 100Ah battery then something is not right. Listen to JL Audio only. Car audio guys are the biggest bunch of ******* on the planet. A thinly disguised bunch of hoods like tyre dealers.
If you value your long term hearing then never drive a JL sub into distortion or clipping. Then you are listening too loud & don't really appreciate music anyway.
Then all you need is a ghetto blaster - not decent equipment like JL. Then you can buy Kicker & similar crap.
If you value your long term hearing then never drive a JL sub into distortion or clipping. Then you are listening too loud & don't really appreciate music anyway.
Then all you need is a ghetto blaster - not decent equipment like JL. Then you can buy Kicker & similar crap.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Sep 15, 2010 at 09:52 PM.
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From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
you don't need a cap. Your battery is probably dying or you used cheap 4gauge wire and its not really 4 gauge but closer to a 8gauge wire. The alternator in these cars are pretty robust.
My buddy with his civic has a w7 10'' sub and hids and his car is fine. The alternator output in these cars as much higher in comparison to a civic. Its been hot the last few weeks.
Maybe the stock system couldn't handle your AC running full blast and you sub hitting hard, but i doubt it.
I would check the battery first and then check the thickness of the 4guage.
My buddy with his civic has a w7 10'' sub and hids and his car is fine. The alternator output in these cars as much higher in comparison to a civic. Its been hot the last few weeks.
Maybe the stock system couldn't handle your AC running full blast and you sub hitting hard, but i doubt it.
I would check the battery first and then check the thickness of the 4guage.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: SoCal/NorCal
08 E63
I have been installing for over 10 years and have done my fair share of systems ( G's is one of them) and I realized many years ago that caps don't do anything. I have had systems in all my cars and never had a cap in them some say that it fixed the lights dim or that it filtered better bass. I never noticed a change on either.
I have fixed the problem with G it was his ground wire which was loose.
As per lights dimming on our cars a cap won't fix it. I would much rather recommend to add another ground to the batt which can really use one. Specially if running a W7.
I have fixed the problem with G it was his ground wire which was loose.
As per lights dimming on our cars a cap won't fix it. I would much rather recommend to add another ground to the batt which can really use one. Specially if running a W7.
Thread Starter
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From: Orange County, CA
C230 K Coupe (05)
thank you guys for all your help. I have been able to resolve the issue. The battery was putting out enough volts (above 12v). After talking to jerry, I just found a new ground spot and that seemed to do the trick.
Temjinx2: I am actually using true 4 gauge wires. Its pretty fat. I payed $100. After reading a lot of posts, I made sure not to cheap out on the wire after dropping $$$ on JL components.
Im not much for bassing the crap out of my car. So I don't have issue of my lights fading.
I was soo happy that my sub was working again that I decided to go wash the car. ahaha
Thanks again all!
G
Temjinx2: I am actually using true 4 gauge wires. Its pretty fat. I payed $100. After reading a lot of posts, I made sure not to cheap out on the wire after dropping $$$ on JL components.
Im not much for bassing the crap out of my car. So I don't have issue of my lights fading.
I was soo happy that my sub was working again that I decided to go wash the car. ahaha
Thanks again all!
G
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From: So Cal... In between LA and OC
2005 CLK320 Vert & 2005 CLK55 AMG
Hey G, you got any pics of your setup? Did you just add a sub to the system or change out components too and add other amps?
a w7 with a 1000/1 must be crazy in your coupe!
when i asked my installer about a cap, he basically laughed in my face, well not really but he said they are pretty much a scam...
a w7 with a 1000/1 must be crazy in your coupe!
when i asked my installer about a cap, he basically laughed in my face, well not really but he said they are pretty much a scam...
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Orange County, CA
C230 K Coupe (05)
Hey G, you got any pics of your setup? Did you just add a sub to the system or change out components too and add other amps?
a w7 with a 1000/1 must be crazy in your coupe!
when i asked my installer about a cap, he basically laughed in my face, well not really but he said they are pretty much a scam...
a w7 with a 1000/1 must be crazy in your coupe!
when i asked my installer about a cap, he basically laughed in my face, well not really but he said they are pretty much a scam...
i'll dig up some pic. I think my buddy took a few of the setup.
Thanks for the 2 cents on the caps.
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From: SoCal/NorCal
08 E63
Hey G, you got any pics of your setup? Did you just add a sub to the system or change out components too and add other amps?
a w7 with a 1000/1 must be crazy in your coupe!
when i asked my installer about a cap, he basically laughed in my face, well not really but he said they are pretty much a scam...
a w7 with a 1000/1 must be crazy in your coupe!
when i asked my installer about a cap, he basically laughed in my face, well not really but he said they are pretty much a scam...
I still want to try the steering wheel controls
Thread Starter
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From: Orange County, CA
C230 K Coupe (05)
pretty dirty...i know. lol.
since these pic were snapped, I have changed the position of the sub and amp. I rotated it 90 degrees so that the length of the sub is parallel to the back seat. This way, it won't tip over(had that happen couple of times when I took hard turns...yay CO
)
lol.since these pic were snapped, I have changed the position of the sub and amp. I rotated it 90 degrees so that the length of the sub is parallel to the back seat. This way, it won't tip over(had that happen couple of times when I took hard turns...yay CO
)
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From: So Cal... In between LA and OC
2005 CLK320 Vert & 2005 CLK55 AMG
But i am down to do the steering wheel controls anytime man, seriously anytime, this Sat??? just let me know when you are available
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From: SoCal/NorCal
08 E63
I think this sat will work ill call you to make this happen
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I have been installing for over 10 years and have done my fair share of systems ( G's is one of them) and I realized many years ago that caps don't do anything. I have had systems in all my cars and never had a cap in them some say that it fixed the lights dim or that it filtered better bass. I never noticed a change on either.
I have fixed the problem with G it was his ground wire which was loose.
As per lights dimming on our cars a cap won't fix it. I would much rather recommend to add another ground to the batt which can really use one. Specially if running a W7.
I have fixed the problem with G it was his ground wire which was loose.
As per lights dimming on our cars a cap won't fix it. I would much rather recommend to add another ground to the batt which can really use one. Specially if running a W7.
I have been involved closely with high end audio all my life outside my Oilco day job as a sleeping director of Absolute Sound SA (recently closed after 31 years due to the death of the founder).
Car Audio is one area we stopped supporting altogether. It is an industry that talks more nonesense than any other I've experienced on all sides of the pond (lived in the US for many years). Good to find a good guy involved. I've seen more cars damaged by installers than I care to recall.
A motor car is a hostile environment for decent audio but one can do a reasonable job of getting it right. I hope your business thrives.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
thank you guys for all your help. I have been able to resolve the issue. The battery was putting out enough volts (above 12v). After talking to jerry, I just found a new ground spot and that seemed to do the trick.
Temjinx2: I am actually using true 4 gauge wires. Its pretty fat. I payed $100. After reading a lot of posts, I made sure not to cheap out on the wire after dropping $$$ on JL components.
Im not much for bassing the crap out of my car. So I don't have issue of my lights fading.
I was soo happy that my sub was working again that I decided to go wash the car. ahaha
Thanks again all!
G
Temjinx2: I am actually using true 4 gauge wires. Its pretty fat. I payed $100. After reading a lot of posts, I made sure not to cheap out on the wire after dropping $$$ on JL components.
Im not much for bassing the crap out of my car. So I don't have issue of my lights fading.
I was soo happy that my sub was working again that I decided to go wash the car. ahaha
Thanks again all!
G
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 461
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From: Orange County, CA
C230 K Coupe (05)
Pleased it's fixed - you have a good car audio guy. I should have jumped on the earth but got sidelined by Cap crap. A poor earth in cars is commonly the cause of trouble - as it is with the big stuff but for different reasons. Agree with J - strap an earth cable back to battery.
lol
