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Thread: any way to measure power coming out of an amp?

  1. #1
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    any way to measure power coming out of an amp?

    I have a Power Acoustik MOFO 12 that I had in my HHR, being pushed by a little Sony 1200watt 2 channel amp. IDK if it was the last box I built (speaker/amp sounded great in my Spec V) or what, but it rattled, and generally just sounded bad. IDK if maybe the speaker or the amp was in the process of dying. Is there any way to actually SEE how much power is coming out of the amp? Perhaps with a multimeter?

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by SpecV44 View Post
    ....Perhaps with a multimeter?
    yes.....with a multimeter.

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  3. #3
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    but howso? What should I set the multimeter to? Do I need a sub connected to it, or can I put the leads directly onto the amp with it powered on? Should I have an input connected to the amp with music on?

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    Quote Originally Posted by SpecV44 View Post
    but howso? What should I set the multimeter to? Do I need a sub connected to it, or can I put the leads directly onto the amp with it powered on? Should I have an input connected to the amp with music on?
    you'll need to have a signal going through the amp, so have music playing. The higher the volume the higher the current. put the positive end of the multimeter in the positive speaker terminal and the negative in the negative.

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  5. #5
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    and have it set to read current (ammeter)
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  6. #6
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    cool, thanks guys

  7. #7
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    You also need an ammeter. Try this >> Check Actual Ouput Of An Amplifier? - SMD Forum
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  8. #8
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    an ammeter is a function of the multimeter. To get an accurate measure of wattage, u need a watt meter but they are generally expensive. Like mentioned before, you can get the amperage and use the formula:
    P=VxI
    p=power v=voltage i=current
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    Quote Originally Posted by cjriojas View Post
    ...Like mentioned before, you can get the amperage and use the formula:
    P=VxI
    p=power v=voltage i=current
    you may have also heard it called the "west virginia" equation: W=VA
    watts = volts * amps
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  10. #10
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    good deal, thanks guys.

    I havent had a chance to check the amp yet, but I am hoping to get it wired this weekend.

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