I just got my new sub. It's a soundstream T5 - 900 rms continuous. I have it connected at 2 ohms on my Alpine MRP-M1000 which is 1000w @ 2ohms.

I have 4 gauge power wire. At higher volumes it cuts out. I'm also running a 4 channel Orion amp at 55% gain @ 65 rms/channel.

I have the suspicion it needs a capacitor. I'm not a guru with electronics but that would be my guess.

What do you guys think? and what would you recommend.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

Check all your wiring, sounds like maybe a bad ground... instead of thinking you need a capacitor, scratch that idea and read up about "THE BIG THREE" *echo* then go out and upgrade... I like to make it a habit to fasten a ground wire with a bolt/flat washer/lock washer/nut instead of just a sheet metal screw, over time those tend to come loose.... if you turn your the gain down on the amp does it still cut out at higher volumes?

 

Yes, do "big 3" and you should upgrade wire gauge at the same time. For them two amps, I would lean toward 2ga minimum maybe even 1/0 for future investments.

This route is cheaper than most caps and stands a better chance at fixing your issue correctly.

Oh, and on a side note: With most amps now days, there is no reason to have your gains set @ 1/2. If you do, you are very likely introducing distortion or clipping.

 

What do you suggest as a maximum gain setting?

 

depends on many factors. Usually about 1/4 depending on your HU and the features you have turned on. Only way to tell for sure is to use an O-scope. My gains on highs are barely above the min and sub is just under 1/4.

 

Great stuff. I'm doing some reading as we speak about the purpose of gain. This is excellent. Thanks for the help guys.

 

3 realistic possibilities for the problem as described:
1- over current shut down of the amp
2- Power supply low voltage shut down of the amp
3- over heating shut down of the amp

A capacitor will not solve any of these

solutions for the problems in order of the problems:
1- wire your woofers correctly
2- tighten connections tool tight not finger tight metal to metal (no paint), get a decent battery use a multimeter to identify where the wiring issue is
3- assure there is air flow around the amp and it is mounted correctly

 

big three or a h/o alternator , maybe 2nd battery

 

he appears to have left the building