Low amp power (2005 GT)

bigwilly43729 · 02-13-2007

I have a 2005 GT and am experiencing problems with my sound setup. I am running 2 Pioneer Amps (GM-6200F 4 Channel & a GM-7200M Mono Channel). I've got a Pioneer DEH-6500P HU also. The problem is that the amps won't turn on. All of my connections are tight and whatnot, but they won't turn on. Here are the readings I got and how everything is set up:

Grounds: Good; got 0v on multimeter

B+ Voltage: 9v +/- .5v depending on the position of the ignition key.

Remote Turn-on Voltage: 8v +/- .5v depending on the position of the ignition key.

All fuses are reading ok. The two in each amp and the fuse at the battery (50A) are all fine and not blown.

I'm running 8ga wire from the amps to a RockFord Fosgate Fused Distro Block (each input is using a 60A fuse). I have taken it out and switched it with a regular non-fused distro block with no change. It is 4ga from the block to the battery with good 50A fuse >/= to 18in.

The battery is fine. It read 12v across the terminals. Everything in the car works fine too; it doesn't die, has no problems starting up, even the HU works (obviously I don't hear sound). Just not the amps.

As far as the amps go, here are the specs from the manual:

Mono Channel:

Total Power: 800W
Power Source: 14.4VDC
Current Consumption: 33A (at continuous power, 4ohms)
Average Current drawn: 9A @ 4ohms
RMS: 250W x 1 (I'm running this to a MTX Thunderform 4500 Sub with an RMS of 225W @ 4ohms)

4-Channel:

Total Power: 600W
Power Source: 14.4VDC
Current Consumption: 35A (at continuous power, 4 ohms)
Average Current drawn: 9A @ 4ohms
RMS: 60W x 4 (I'm running this to 4 Pioneer TS-A6871R 3-way speakers with RMS values of 50W each @ 4ohms)

What I bolded is what is really hanging me up. It seems like the alternator isn't powerful enough to handle both of these amps (rated @ 130A, correct me if I'm wrong), BUT I just had a RF 600W 2-Channel amp with an RMS of 264 (as per their little spec sheet) and it worked fine with the 4-channel Pioneer Amp so I can't see how that is the problem. Also, would one amp failing cause the other to fail?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to spend crazy $$$ if I don't have to.

coolwaterblvd · 02-13-2007

Check your ground wiring and make sure you clean all the paint around the grounding point. Also use the meter to see if you even have a path to ground to the battery from your grounding point.

bigwilly43729 · 02-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolwaterblvd

Check your ground wiring and make sure you clean all the paint around the grounding point. Also use the meter to see if you even have a path to ground to the battery from your grounding point.

Yep, the ground is good. I checked it with a multimeter. I didn't clean the paint away because I'm using the bolts that hold the rear seats in place as ground. I'm 99.9999999999999999999999999999999999% certain that is the car's chassis.

coolwaterblvd · 02-13-2007

Throw on a BATCAP 300 or just a CAP period. One way for sure is too put a jumper wire from the + to the remote input that will tell you for sure if it is the remote wire or not. I am running a 600RMS Phoenix Gold amp and it did not sound right until I put on a BATCAP and a 200amp Alternator.

bigwilly43729 · 02-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolwaterblvd

Throw on a BATCAP 300 or just a CAP period. One way for sure is too put a jumper wire from the + to the remote input that will tell you for sure if it is the remote wire or not. I am running a 600RMS Phoenix Gold amp and it did not sound right until I put on a BATCAP and a 200amp Alternator.

How is a Cap going to get me more power? I thought that was just for storing power for something like when hard bass hits. I can't see how it is the alternator since the old amp was putting out more RMS voltage than the new one. According to the manuals for both amps that I have installed now, they are only consuming 68A and drawing 18A on average. The alternator is rated at 130A.

bigwilly43729 · 02-15-2007

Ok, it's fixed now. I guess the other member was right. I needed to clean the paint away and the grounds were good. I'm not sure whay the multimeter told me it was fine on monday and not fine on tuesday and wednesday. What is even stranger is that I have used a similar point on the car and it worked ok. Oh well, everything is up and good to go now. Thanks for all the help!!