Too much power

[4RUNNER 518]

Damm, M1 mkII opt2 , Kef Iq3's and Bob Segers Night moves after a few tequilas don't mix well, popped a mid base driver last night. Time to read up on fusing my speakers. I should know better but was sounding really good just before it let go.   

[zumbini 6,147]

Good plan. Fuses are cheaper than drivers...

 

For fuse sizing I start by contacting the speaker manufacturer for a recommendation.

If that's not possible, or the OEM won't help, you can estimate the size using this chart:

 

 

As to whether to use a time delay or fast acting fuse, that depends on the application.

If the expected failure mode is due to excessive cone excursion I use fast acting.

If the concern is overheating the voice coil a time delay fuse is more appropriate.

 

In either case I start with a fuse smaller than what is recommended and work my way up. 

[kingman 662]

No, too little speaker!

[Maddmaster 999]

I've been there too often. LOL. I've loss track of how many drivers I have smoked.

[aslan7 954]

 

 

Damm, M1 mkII opt2 , Kef Iq3's and Bob Segers Night moves after a few tequilas don't mix well, popped a mid base driver last night. Time to read up on fusing my speakers. I should know better but was sounding really good just before it let go.   

 

 

Sorry about your Kef's man.  If I were there it would go something like this:

 

.

 

[MORE CARVER'S PLEASE 99]

I've been there too often. LOL. I've loss track of how many drivers I have smoked.

 

Gotta get ya some Klipsch Randy 

 

I did blow a woofer in one of my Lascala's some years back.... Way too much power to em... 

 

MCP :-) 

[Daddyjt 9,612]

Not to be contrary, but I've found that if I overpower the chit out of my speakers, I've never had an issue. I ran a Klipsch RF7 pair biamped with two 1.0t mkIIs for years (SERIOUS overkill), then Kappa 9s with the same mkII pair - and I listen LOUD. However, at the merest hint of distortion, I back off (what's the point of listening to distorted music??).

 

I am a firm believer that as long as you don't exceed the mechanical limits of your speakers, you will have an exceedingly difficult time killing them with too much power. On the other hand, too little power - another story all together;-)

 

[Ar9Jim 6,512]

Not to be contrary, but I've found that if I overpower the chit out of my speakers, I've never had an issue. I ran a Klipsch RF7 pair biamped with two 1.0t mkIIs for years (SERIOUS overkill), then Kappa 9s with the same mkII pair - and I listen LOUD. However, at the merest hint of distortion, I back off (what's the point of listening to distorted music??).

I am a firm believer that as long as you don't exceed the mechanical limits of your speakers, you will have an exceedingly difficult time killing them with too much power. On the other hand, too little power - another story all together;-)

Similar experience here Mark. With big Carvers its common to be above the speakers power rating. Although the power is there, I doubt that I actually put power in above the speakers rating other than maybe some peak outputs.

 

One thing for sure is that a big amp putting out high continous power into a driver that is not rated for the power level, will eventually overheat the voice coils.

The coils can dissipate heat within there design limits. Go too far for too long, and the Tequila will get you in trouble.

 

Kind of like a duty rating in a way. They can do some amazing things and fight above their weight class, but after a round or 2 you can get in trouble. Ring the bell and let them return to their corners to cool down.

 

You can test their limits, but its important to give them a rest between rounds to let the heat dissipate and the coils cool.