Blown channel? - Buy & Sell Car Audio Equipment

**donpisto** · 06-06-2007, 07:54 PM

I have a 4 channel xtant amp and i'm gonna sell it. I don't remember which two channels were blown. Anyway I can test with a DMM without hooking up to a vehicle or head unit?

Bushtree · 06-06-2007, 08:14 PM

Umm.. im not completely sure, but without bench testing equipment and such, i would assume you need to hook it up to check with a dmm.

**donpisto** · 06-06-2007, 08:50 PM

I have a battery i can hook it up to, but RCA's would be the problem. If i have the power and ground connected on the amp, would i be able to find out then? If not, no big deal. I'll just let the guy know I don't remember exactly which one is blown.

Bushtree · 06-07-2007, 01:56 AM

I dont know, ive never tried that before.. I guess you could just give it a try and see what happens..

I dont think you will get any readings with the DMM though, since there is no input signal there will also be no output signal..

Do you have a 3.5mm to RCA cable laying around the house? If so, just use that, and then you can connect an Ipod, or computer or something to the amp , as the input signal.

**donpisto** · 06-07-2007, 02:02 AM

Nope, don't have one. It's okay. I'll tell the guy i'm not sure which two channels are blown. I'm sure whoever is fixing it should be able to tell without a problem. I've just been curious as to how they blew. It never smoked and nothing looked burned, unless its burnt on the bottom side of the board. Thanks for the help.

Bushtree · 06-07-2007, 03:01 AM

Couldnt tell ya how they blew, but.. yea whoever is fixing it will be able to tell.

**Supa_c** · 06-07-2007, 10:34 AM

If you touch the rca imputs with your finger you should get some sort of signal, just crank the gains and see if there is a voltage spike when you touch the corresponding terminal to the output terminal you are reading with the DMM.
I think it will work for the outside of the rca terminal, if not then find some speaker wire and shove it in the hole and do the tap test. Or use some actual rca's and touch the tip.
This also works if you mis label your speakers/rca's, turn the amp on and touch the tip of the rca, your body has its own frequency and you will hear it through whatever speaker that channel is connected to. Ghetto, but it works every time.

**donpisto** · 06-07-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supa_c

If you touch the rca imputs with your finger you should get some sort of signal, just crank the gains and see if there is a voltage spike when you touch the corresponding terminal to the output terminal you are reading with the DMM.
I think it will work for the outside of the rca terminal, if not then find some speaker wire and shove it in the hole and do the tap test. Or use some actual rca's and touch the tip.
This also works if you mis label your speakers/rca's, turn the amp on and touch the tip of the rca, your body has its own frequency and you will hear it through whatever speaker that channel is connected to. Ghetto, but it works every time.

THanks man, I'll try that out today or tomorrow.

Bushtree · 06-08-2007, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supa_c

If you touch the rca imputs with your finger you should get some sort of signal, just crank the gains and see if there is a voltage spike when you touch the corresponding terminal to the output terminal you are reading with the DMM.
I think it will work for the outside of the rca terminal, if not then find some speaker wire and shove it in the hole and do the tap test. Or use some actual rca's and touch the tip.
This also works if you mis label your speakers/rca's, turn the amp on and touch the tip of the rca, your body has its own frequency and you will hear it through whatever speaker that channel is connected to. Ghetto, but it works every time.

Hum, thats really interesting and good to know.

ricksmx01 · 06-08-2007, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supa_c

If you touch the rca imputs with your finger you should get some sort of signal, just crank the gains and see if there is a voltage spike when you touch the corresponding terminal to the output terminal you are reading with the DMM.
I think it will work for the outside of the rca terminal, if not then find some speaker wire and shove it in the hole and do the tap test. Or use some actual rca's and touch the tip.
This also works if you mis label your speakers/rca's, turn the amp on and touch the tip of the rca, your body has its own frequency and you will hear it through whatever speaker that channel is connected to. Ghetto, but it works every time.

thats really interesting