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I've noticed that my Amp overheats and shuts off if I listen to my stereo for longer than an hour.  It doesn't matter if it is 90 degrees outside or 40 degrees, it almost always overheats. 

Normally this doesn't really matter since I usually don't drive longer than that but I have a couple long-distance car trips planned and I don't want my stereo crapping out before I get there. 

So I was looking into cooling options and came across http://www.hifisoundconnection.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/1331967/vpcsid/0/SFV/30046 (http://www.hifisoundconnection.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/1331967/vpcsid/0/SFV/30046). 

Not sure if it is any good or if there are better options out there.  Any thoughts?  Also, what would be the best way to wire it up?  Wiring electronics isn't my forte. 

Thanks!

how is the amp mounted?

Better question would be, how is the amp wired?

The amp is mounted on carpeted particle board on the back of the rear seat along with my capacitor and RF 3sixty.1.   

As for how it is wired, I'm not really sure since I had an audio shop hook everything up for me.  As I said, I'm not very good with wiring. 

I do know it's a 5-channel amp and is amping all 4 speakers and my sub.   

(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee257/ikethegreat/car/IMG_0264.jpg)

Last time I had an amp overheat on me was when the amp wasn't wired correctly. For example, you wire up 4 ohm speakers to an amp that only works at 2 ohms which causes an impedance mismatch. Without knowing EXACTLY how your system is wired, its difficult to troubleshoot over the intarwebz.

+1 to the wiring setup and also take into account that your amp is pushing your interior speakers as well ass your subs... (over working it?) A fan would'nt actually be bad. Especially if that subs pump from the bass the amp is being worked to it's RMS output wherever you have it leveled to.

...I was thinking about doing this when I installed by amp but I got through the hot months with no problems so I 86'd that idea  :D

Wait a minute.  I swear I fucking posted in here.  David and Z are both right.  Check the amp's owners manual to make sure it's mounted properly.  That position could cause it to overheat depending on the amp you're using.  Wiring can also cause it based on what Z posted, which is pretty much the same thing that I said in my missing post.

I'll take a look at it this weekend and see if I can make heads or tails of the wiring.  Thanks

I found this in the manual about mounting:

Mounting: Choose a structurally sound location to mount your Kicker amplifier. The controls on the
top of the amplifier need to be accessible for adjustment. Make sure there are no items behind the area
where the screws will be driven. Choose a location that allows at least 4” (10cm) of open ventilation for
the amplifier. If possible, mount the amplifier in the climate-controlled passenger compartment. Drill four
holes using a 7/64” (3mm) bit and use the supplied #8 screws to mount the amplifier.

Doesn't say anything about not mounting it vertically so I think I'm good there.  

http://www.kicker.com/sites/default/files/2006%20ZX%20550-3%20700-5%20Multilingual%20a01.pdf (http://www.kicker.com/sites/default/files/2006%20ZX%20550-3%20700-5%20Multilingual%20a01.pdf)

Ok guys I'm confused.  I mounted the fan and tried wiring it to my amp.  I connected the ground wire to the amp's ground connector and the power wire to the amps power connector.  The fan started running even with the car/amp turned off.  I moved the power wire to the Remote Turn On connector and it still ran even with the car/amp off.  What am I doing wrong?  Is it because I have a cap?

Actually, you shouldn't wire it to the amp in either configuration.  You really should be using a relay.  You would run ground to the fan ground 85, the remote trigger to 86, 12v power to 87, and fan power to 30.  Make sense?

If I understand you correctly, this is how it should be wired up right?

(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee257/ikethegreat/relay.jpg)

Very close.  Terminal 85 also needs to be grounded to the chassis, or you could run it to the amplifier ground.

So terminal 85 and the negative wire on the fan can both be ran to the amp ground? 


Thanks for your help Tim

yes because they have to be grounded, doesnt matter if its is the same as the amp ground or not.

 :stupid:

After an hour of cramming my fat ass inside my trunk, the fan is wired and is working perfectly!   It comes right on when the amp powers on and turns off when the amp powers off.  Thanks for all the help fellas!

In case it is of any future use to anyone, I remade my wiring drawing and figured I'd post the correct version. 

(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee257/ikethegreat/relay-1.jpg)

And here is a picture of the final product. 

(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee257/ikethegreat/ampfan.jpg)

I think I'll get a second one sooner or later and put them side-by-side to cover the entire length of the amp.  But that will be a project for another day!

Glad to hear it worked.

Well it looks like the fan only lasted exactly one year to the day.  From my quick estimation it has ran about 125 hours. 

It no longer spins but the magnet on the end is hot to the touch.   None of the wiring appears to be loose or disconnected.   Safe to assume it is dead?

I had they same type as fan as you but the smaller version i ran mines with a temperature switch so it  wasn't running all the time  , still running strong  but does sound like you need a replacement

Do you have a link to the temp switch you used?   The only thing I don't like about the idea of using the switch is it would be harder to notice when the fan does in fact die but if it significantly prolongs the life of the fan it might be worth that inconvenience. 

I got mines from http://www.ceautoelectricsupply.com/coolingfankit.html (http://www.ceautoelectricsupply.com/coolingfankit.html) there pricey but quality , but am sure your can find the switch separately and add it to your current setup

That kit does look pretty good.  Time to start saving up! 

Thanks for the link