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Amp overheating?

Fnord Explorer

Fnord Explorer

Feb 3, 2008
666
8
Nibiru
#1
I got a problem. Last night while playing a gig my Carvin RL600 overheated twice during the set. Thankfully, the amp has something in it that cuts the power if it gets too hot before irreparable damage occurs, but it occurred twice and I had to play "deaf" (no monitor support of the bass, so while it was still pumping through the mains, I couldn't hear it).

This is the first time this has happened in all the years I've used the thing. If you are familiar with the amp, you know that it has two power amps and the cable for one of the 2x10 cabs was pretty damn hot to the touch after the set. The other one seemed fine, so that might narrow it down to the one power section of the amp.

Anyone know what could be causing this? :help::help::help:
 
#5
BassmanPaul said:
It's a fan cooled design so the cooling tunnel could be blocked with crud. This would lead the amp to go into protect mode. Have a look into the vents and see if you see any dust if so it'll need cleaning out. Also make sure the fan is moving freely.

Paul
Click to expand...

Yeah, I periodically open the case and blow the crud out of it that accumulates from playing in smoky bars and clubs. The fan was running fine last night which was why I was worried something more complicated was going on. :(
 
#6
I used to have this amp as a backup amp and for reahearsal...anytime I ran it with a 4 ohm load, it would overheat after about ~25-20 minutes of hard playing and go into protection mode. It always worked flawlessly with an 8 ohm load. It behaved this day from day one - and yes, I purchased it new. I have read others had the same problem.
 
#7
Fnord Explorer said:
the cable for one of the 2x10 cabs was pretty damn hot to the touch after the set.
Click to expand...
That would indicate either a grossly undergauge cable or something in the cab or the jacks etc causing excessive current draw, maybe something as simple as a loose screw on one of the Speakons.
 
#8
billfitzmaurice said:
That would indicate either a grossly undergauge cable or something in the cab or the jacks etc causing excessive current draw, maybe something as simple as a loose screw on one of the Speakons.
Click to expand...

Well, I was just using a standard 1/4" cable with it; I'll try upgrading to a Speakon cable and see if there's a problem.

I've played three-hour marathons with this thing with it cranked and never encountered a problem. I run two 2x10 cabs with it. The one is actually a 6 ohm cab (it wasn't the one overheating) it was actually the 2x10 that it came with that started the problem.

I have a full summer load of gigs I'll need this thing for. I'm just hoping it's not a major issue.
 
#9
Fnord Explorer said:
Well, I was just using a standard 1/4" cable with it; I'll try upgrading to a Speakon cable and see if there's a problem.

I've played three-hour marathons with this thing with it cranked and never encountered a problem. I run two 2x10 cabs with it. The one is actually a 6 ohm cab (it wasn't the one overheating) it was actually the 2x10 that it came with that started the problem.

I have a full summer load of gigs I'll need this thing for. I'm just hoping it's not a major issue.
Click to expand...

Phone plugs were originally designed for 48V in the telephone industry. They are really not safe at the higher outputs of todays amps. Always use speakons as they don't short the amp when plugging in or out as phone plugs do. Get used to speakons, I believe there will be no phone jacks used for speakers in the next few years.

Paul
 
#10
BassmanPaul said:
Phone plugs were originally designed for 48V in the telephone industry.
Click to expand...
It's not the volts, Laddie, it's the amps. The current load in the original intended usage is at best a tenth of an ampere. The current load of 200 watts into a 4 ohm load is 7 amperes. The 1/4" plug as a speaker connector was rendered obsolete when amps broke the 25 watt barrier back around 1960.:rollno:
 
#11
The Red Line series amps tend to do this on occasion. My RL1000 has done it a couple times in the past, and here's a few possible explanations I got when I asked around about it:

-The impedance doesn't match up. Apparently there was a lot of people trying to use this thing at 2 or 2.6 ohms and that just doesn't work.
-The contacts inside the amp itself need to be cleaned. Just get some contact cleaner and spray away, apparently that helps A LOT.
-Plugging into cabs that are way underrated for the amp makes it very disagreeable. I used to plug mine into a couple entry level GK cabs and it went into protection mode no less than 6 or 7 times in the few months I had that setup. I switched to a carvin 810 cab that handles the wattage no problem and it hasn't happened since.
 
#12
You're being misleading, Bill. Allow me to point out how:

billfitzmaurice said:
It's not the volts, Laddie, it's the amps. The current load in the original intended usage is at best a tenth of an ampere. The current load of 200 watts into a 4 ohm load is 7 amperes. The 1/4" plug as a speaker connector was rendered obsolete when amps broke the 25 watt barrier back around 1960.:rollno:
Click to expand...

Unless you're talking subwoofer connections at 1kw + there's nothing wrong with modern heavy-duty 1/4" plugs.
 
#13
billfitzmaurice said:
It's not the volts, Laddie, it's the amps. The current load in the original intended usage is at best a tenth of an ampere. The current load of 200 watts into a 4 ohm load is 7 amperes. The 1/4" plug as a speaker connector was rendered obsolete when amps broke the 25 watt barrier back around 1960.:rollno:
Click to expand...

Tsk tsk Bill - it's rude to call your seniors "Laddie" unless they, and you, are Scottish! As I am only one quarter Scottish, you are only allowed to call me "La"! Sheesh now I feel as if I'm back 'ome in Liverpool!!!

Paul
 
#14
BassmanPaul said:
Tsk tsk Bill - it's rude to call your seniors "Laddie" unless they, and you, are Scottish! As I am only one quarter Scottish, you are only allowed to call me "La"! Sheesh now I feel as if I'm back 'ome in Liverpool!!!

Paul
Click to expand...
Considering my 1949 vintage I'm used to being the senior member present, save when the function is a wake, and even then I usually am older than the guest of honor. :(
 

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