At a loss here...

[inkfx 3]

Ok so for the last day or two I've been at a total loss as to what's causing problems with my system. I've had it running for a few months now on this brand new SAE-1200Dv2 without a single hiccup until last night. So, this is how it started...

I was on my way to my friends house when my subs cut out a couple times. Thought to myself, no biggie, must be a loose connection somewhere. I checked my ground and it was fine. I took a DMM to the subs which presented a 1ohm load, so that checked out. I took the DMM and measured voltage at the battery and amp, which read 14v+. The amp is also getting power as it did not go into protect or turn off. I also took the amp off the switch to eliminate that as an issue. After a little narrowing down, I found out they only cut out when the volume goes to 21 or higher. I only ever go up to 25. I turned the gain down quite a bit and still had the same issue. It will play shortly with the volume at 21-25 but it cuts in and out. I also pulled my headunit out and double checked all those wires. Although I don't think that's the problem since my components are unaffected by this problem. It seems to only be my subs. I can't for the life of me figure out what's going on. Especially since it's worked just fine until yesterday.

The only thing I can think of trying next is pulling the amp out and inspecting the fuses and internals even though the green light is always on, even during the cut-out periods. I'm also going to pull the subs out and inspect them a little closer. I just don't see what could have happened here. Am I missing something or is this some shenanigans here?

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

Gremlins.

Start at the battery and work you way back to the subs checking every wire and connection.

Could be a ground, speaker wire, rca cable, etc.

Been there a time or two myself. Good luck bro.

[stevemead08 752]

loose wire on the sub?

[inkfx 3]

Just pulled the amp out, checked fuses and internals then put it back in and still got some cutting out. The only thing I have left to check is the wires on the subs. I'll pull the subs out now and check that. I really hope it's something stupid like a loose wire on one of the terminals. Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll let you know how it goes in about 20-30. Have to use a screw driver to get them out, drill is at my dads.

[inkfx 3]

Re-wired the subs, the connections seemed a bit loose so I fixed that. Drove around for a few minutes and it seems to be working. Hopefully it stays this way. Weird thing is, the blue LED on my switch seems to have died. Switch couldn't be the culprit though since I had taken it out earlier. Oh well, hopefully everything stays working. About to head out for the night so I'll see if it holds on the drive there.

[tccoble 4]

Yep, it was gremlins.

[stevemead08 752]

I like cheap fixes!

[KU40 173]

If you find that doesn't work, try using a different source for the signal, like hook an mp3 player straight to the amp or something.

[inkfx 3]

Well it cut out a couple times last night but it was only on some of the songs with the lower bass lines. I recently added a line-up of chopped n screwed music to the list. Could it be my SSF is set too low? I think it's set around the range of my box tuning but perhaps I should turn it up a bit?

KU40 - How would I go about plugging my iPod straight to the amp? Also, if the signal source is the issue, wouldn't the component speakers suffer issues as well? Or could the subs be singled out?

[KU40 173]

Subsonic filters won't make the amp turn off or cut out.

To hook up an ipod or similar, there are 3.5-mm headphone jack to male RCA adapters. I know Radio Shack has them.

If your component speakers would cut off depends on the install. Are the RCAs for the subs hooked to a subwoofer output on the head unit or to a front or rear output? Are the components run off of the head unit or external amplifier?

[inkfx 3]

The amp isn't turning off or going into protect. The light stays green.

Today it's deciding to really not work. Subs played for about 30 seconds and then nothing.

For the subs, the RCAs are plugged into the sub-out on the headunit and the input on the Sundown. The components are on the front output on the headunit and input on the Pheonix Gold amp. (specs on my system can be found in my signature). The components are working just fine, only problem here is the subs. No idea what's going on. Gremlins are out to get me. Just so weird that it has worked perfectly fine for months and without changing a single thing it starts acting up.

Currently, both of my amps are grounded on the same side of the car. Not in the same spot, just the same side. Should I try moving one of the grounds to the other side of the car?

[Mac N Cheese 90]

The amp isn't turning off or going into protect. The light stays green.

Today it's deciding to really not work. Subs played for about 30 seconds and then nothing.

For the subs, the RCAs are plugged into the sub-out on the headunit and the input on the Sundown. The components are on the front output on the headunit and input on the Pheonix Gold amp. (specs on my system can be found in my signature). The components are working just fine, only problem here is the subs. No idea what's going on. Gremlins are out to get me. Just so weird that it has worked perfectly fine for months and without changing a single thing it starts acting up.

Currently, both of my amps are grounded on the same side of the car. Not in the same spot, just the same side. Should I try moving one of the grounds to the other side of the car?

do you currently have another amp you could swap out with? this will determine whether or not its the amp. If the other amp works fine then i bet its the mosfits located by the RCA inputs

[inkfx 3]

The amp isn't turning off or going into protect. The light stays green.

Today it's deciding to really not work. Subs played for about 30 seconds and then nothing.

For the subs, the RCAs are plugged into the sub-out on the headunit and the input on the Sundown. The components are on the front output on the headunit and input on the Pheonix Gold amp. (specs on my system can be found in my signature). The components are working just fine, only problem here is the subs. No idea what's going on. Gremlins are out to get me. Just so weird that it has worked perfectly fine for months and without changing a single thing it starts acting up.

Currently, both of my amps are grounded on the same side of the car. Not in the same spot, just the same side. Should I try moving one of the grounds to the other side of the car?

do you currently have another amp you could swap out with? this will determine whether or not its the amp. If the other amp works fine then i bet its the mosfits located by the RCA inputs

I was actually about to try that. The only two amps I have are the Sundown and the Pheonix Gold. However, I could wire the subs up to 4ohms and bridge the PG amp for 250rms. Not much, but it should still make noise. Man I hate to think that the Sundown is the problem. This is the 2nd SAE-1200D I've had.

[jonbearsmt 919]

if you wanna come north.. ill get my hands on another amp and help you check it out.

[inkfx 3]

Yeah, that would be great Jon. That way I wouldn't have to totally pull out the subs and both amps.

Here are some pics of the internals. One thing that caught my eye was some brownish stuff around some of the traces by the inputs. It could just be excess glue that has melted but I'm not sure.

[inkfx 3]

Sorry the pics didn't come out too great. I can circle the area I'm talking about if nobody can spot it.

[inkfx 3]

Just put a new terminal on my ground and relocated it to the other side of the car. Still having the same issue. Starting to look like the Sundown is acting up.

Only thing left to do now is pull the subs out and wire them to 4ohms and run them off my PG at 250rms. If that works, looks like I'm in for another RMA.

[inkfx 3]

Just got done with the final test and the subs played just fine with the Pheonix Gold amp. Looks like I have yet ANOTHER malfunctioning SAE-1200Dv2. Looks like I'll be contacting Sundown again. This is just soo frustrating. :suicide-santa:

[inkfx 3]

The amp isn't turning off or going into protect. The light stays green.

Today it's deciding to really not work. Subs played for about 30 seconds and then nothing.

For the subs, the RCAs are plugged into the sub-out on the headunit and the input on the Sundown. The components are on the front output on the headunit and input on the Pheonix Gold amp. (specs on my system can be found in my signature). The components are working just fine, only problem here is the subs. No idea what's going on. Gremlins are out to get me. Just so weird that it has worked perfectly fine for months and without changing a single thing it starts acting up.

Currently, both of my amps are grounded on the same side of the car. Not in the same spot, just the same side. Should I try moving one of the grounds to the other side of the car?

do you currently have another amp you could swap out with? this will determine whether or not its the amp. If the other amp works fine then i bet its the mosfits located by the RCA inputs

After everything, it looks like you may be right here. Mosfets on the RCA inputs must have gone out. Unless Jacob can chime in with something different.

[jcarter1885 995]

Do you have a voltmeter or something to measure your voltage on your Sundown Amp when it cuts out?

[inkfx 3]

Yes, I used my multimeter more times today than I ever have before. The voltage with the Sundown amp never went below 14.1-14.3v, unless I have my AC on. In which case it will drop to around 13.5-13.8v.

[inkfx 3]

Also tried a different set of RCAs and the problems continue. Everyone agree it's RCA inputs on the SAE-1200D?

[Mac N Cheese 90]

Also tried a different set of RCAs and the problems continue. Everyone agree it's RCA inputs on the SAE-1200D?

the only reason i was thinking this was the problem was because something along these lines happened to my 3000D. It would cut in and out (didnt matter what volume i had it at). I checked grounds, connections, sub, and then i tried a different amp and it worked fine. I contacted DB-r and told him and he new what the problem was right over the phone. the little boxes covering the mosfits would wiggle...that's what would cause the issue

[inkfx 3]

Yeah that sounds a LOT like what is happening to me. I just don't have very good luck with these Sundown products. I put in a message on the Sundown website a few hours ago so I'm sure Jacob will get back to me sometime tomorrow. I'm wondering if maybe I can step up to a SAZ-1500D or something this time around. Not a real big fan of the SAE series anymore.

[Mac N Cheese 90]

Yeah that sounds a LOT like what is happening to me. I just don't have very good luck with these Sundown products. I put in a message on the Sundown website a few hours ago so I'm sure Jacob will get back to me sometime tomorrow. I'm wondering if maybe I can step up to a SAZ-1500D or something this time around. Not a real big fan of the SAE series anymore.

I no exactly what you are going through, numerous testing to find out the problem. Taking the sub in and out, checking fuses, connections....it starts to really get frustrating. Just hang in there and it will be all worth it in the end.