Amp is clipping, cap is beeping?????

[Nordberg]

I have a problem that is really starting to pizz me off. I used to have a yellow top that recently crapped out on me (thats a whole other story). Anyway, toward the end of the yellow tops life and since I put the stock battery in, my capacitor only charges to around 10.0 volts and emits a steady beeping/ringing noise and my amp clips off. The amp is a JL 500/1 and it powering a 12w6v2 so I dont think its clipping because off putting out to much power. Is my fix as simple as changing the battery or is something else going on here?

 

[Poseur]

Low voltage does very strange thigns to electronics. Fortunately they're generally not harmful, but the beeping is a warning of this happening. Basically, yes get a new battery and you should be fine. If there's problems beyond that, let us know, and we can help..

Also, umm, if you've got a yellow top that's thatfar discharged, take it to somewhere who deals with them and see if they have the Specific optima charger required to resurrect a yellowtop from being run down toolow. this MIGHT solve your problem. Beware in the future that yellow tops don't like to take a charge very well if run completely dead without the special Optima charger. For this reason Red or bluetops are often a better choice.

 

[Poseur]

Also, this is NOT clipping. Your amp is shutting off from a lack of supply voltage. Clipping happens when your amp doesn't have enough juice to keepup with what you're asking from it. the results of an amp clipping are strange sounds coming form your speakers at higher volume levels.

 

[got wake?]

have your battery tested out. the stock one might be shot as well.

 

[Nordberg]

Thanks for the help. I'll pick up a red top tomorrow. And Poseur, I wish I knew about that "special" charger beforehand. I attempted to charge it myself. I figured it wasn't working when I heard deadly gasses hissing out of it.

 

[got wake?]

i wouldn't bother with optima. i've heard of too many problems with them. you either get a good one, or a bad one, with no way to tell before hand. interstate batteries, odyssey, SVR, and most other major companies offer good batteries that will suffice. odyssey is a tad pricey, but they are awesome batteries. honestly, i got better use out of a $40 battery from walmart than i did from an optima.

 

[1sty]

I have put my yellow top threw hell and brought it back a few times.

Most often, a yellow top is thought to be dead becuase it won't hold a charge, this is becuase it has been deep cycled and you need a trickle charger to revive it, the cars alternator will not do it.

The JL will go into a protection mode when your battery voltage is too low. If your battery will not hold a charge higher then 10, then that is your cause.

Out of curiosity what is the charging voltage of your car? This means the voltage present at the battery when the car is running. If that is below 13 volts then you likely have a failing alternator.