Amp Problem (Stereo Guru Question)

Ive recently been having problems with my Cadence 4ch 500w amp which is running my boat and tower speakers. The amp funs fine while the boat is anchored or moving slowly but under speed the amp cuts out immediately. If you unplug the 2ch running the towers and reset the stereo the boat speakers run w/o problem. I've gone through the wiring harnesses and cannot find any problems or loose wires.

My only thought is that my amps seem to overheat at times and cutoff and is it possible that I've done some damage to something internally on the amp?

Im at a loss.

what size is your cable running to the amp?

Any possibility that your voltage regulator is overcharging. That or you alternatore is going bad and your volts are dropping below the amp's tolerences. I think it you go done to 10.5 or so it will cut out. Taking the towers down would produce less draw and so you may be staying afloat at around 11 volts or so. If overcharging, amps will cut out in the 16 v range due to protection cricuitry. Overcharge seems less likely do to the fact that you realize performance when you lessen the load.

I would hook a voltmeter up and seenwhat voltage you are running at iddle and what voltage you are running while under full power.

Doug - hadnt thought about the voltage regulator or overcharging the amp. THe gauge on the boat reads 13-14 most of the time (though Im aware these gauges are not entirely accurate).

Im currently running the system off 2 Optima Yellowtops and have never had a problem with the system before and I've used it for almost a year now.

Last night while cleaning up the boat I cranked on the stereo and the towers cut off almost immediately.

Sounds like a short in either the speaker wires or one of the speakers, maybe the vibration at high speed is moving the short around?