PDX 4.100 keeps going into protection mode
01-05-2010, 05:48 PM
#1
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PDX 4.100 keeps going into protection mode
I have an Alpine PDX 4.100 amp running my Type R coax speakers and at higher volume the amp will go into protection mode (I am assuming it's protection, the blue light to the right on the front turns red). I have a Pioneer DEH-P4000UB and usually at about 32/62 volume is when it will happen. I have had this amp for over 8 months and bought it used locally. Not too long ago though did it start shutting down like this. I did some reading on here and some other forums and people were saying it could be a speaker shorting out or something. I tried all the speakers separately and found it to be the one in the back left door. I ran a new wire to that speakers but the problem still persisted. With that one speaker disconnected the amp worked perfectly. I brought the two back speakers to the store I bought them from and they sent them away on warranty. I threw the stocks back in for the time being and ran them on the deck. About a week later the amp goes into protection again. Now it seems to be the front left speaker causing the problem. I ran new wire to both speakers but it still kept shutting down. I take the fronts out now and bring them back to the store and they send them off to. About 3 weeks goes by and I have been running my stocks off the deck with my JL 13TW5 still going strong haha. I finally get the first set back from warranty and they just replaced the old speakers with brand new ones (chi ching!). So I throw those into the front doors and it's all working good. 3 days later my other two speakers are back and they are brand new too so I went and picked them up and installed them. Everything is working just like it should be and I'm stoked! About a week goes by and everything is good, then it happens again. The amp goes into protection! I do some more research and figure I'll try grounding it somewhere else. Still doesn't fix it. So now I am wondering what do it. What else could be causing this problem?
01-05-2010, 08:10 PM
#4
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You're correct. The light changing color is signaling protection. If you're listening to your system loudly, you may be over driving the speakers.
The fact that there was time between both faults may mean it's a speaker/gain/crossover issue. What speakers are you using, and are they rated for 100rms (not peak) or more?
The fact that there was time between both faults may mean it's a speaker/gain/crossover issue. What speakers are you using, and are they rated for 100rms (not peak) or more?
01-05-2010, 08:37 PM
#5
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The speakers are Alpine SPR-17C. They are 6.5" and are rated at 100rms. Is it even possible to over drive the speakers at only half volume? It all worked fine for months then it randomly started going into protection.
01-05-2010, 09:21 PM
#7
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Those amps like to have a 4awg for power and ground, perhaps you need more voltage/current to it. If you already have this, and have checked all other connections/voltages, that pdx is in need of service. If you can get it covered under warranty, they may even give you another one.
Hope this helps!
01-05-2010, 09:45 PM
#8
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I thought they might have been the culprit so I sent them in for repair. Alpine warrantied my old ones and sent me 4 brand new ones. I haven't checked them with a DMM though so maybe I'll try that.
01-05-2010, 09:54 PM
#9
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Fair enough, always have to ask if the user sends the volume **** to number 11 first.
Those amps like to have a 4awg for power and ground, perhaps you need more voltage/current to it. If you already have this, and have checked all other connections/voltages, that pdx is in need of service. If you can get it covered under warranty, they may even give you another one.
Hope this helps!
Those amps like to have a 4awg for power and ground, perhaps you need more voltage/current to it. If you already have this, and have checked all other connections/voltages, that pdx is in need of service. If you can get it covered under warranty, they may even give you another one.
Hope this helps!
01-05-2010, 10:00 PM
#10
Disconnect the speakers one at a time and test the system. Then reattach all the speaker if there is no fault found and disconnect the rca cables one at a time and retest. Turn the system off each time you disconnect or reconnect something. You do not want to dead short the rca cables (make sure they do not touch metal at all and ground out).
