bench testing equipment

scorpio86 · Post by **scorpio86** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 12:36 pm

so what do ya'll use to benchtest stuff you buy used from cl or da bay.. i mean obviously you can test speakers w/ about anything to make sure they work anyway.. but my question to you all.. is for amps.. what do you use to benchtest them to make sure they work.. so ya know.. you dont go to install something you assume works only to find out it doesnt! any and all input is appreciated as always! thanks!

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 12:46 pm

I've been using a PC power supply and I think I'm going to try and build something....

Bret

scorpio86 · Post by **scorpio86** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 12:50 pm

just a reg pc power supply.. and wire it up to the amp.. ?? then just run your speaker wires to the speaker and your good to go or what.. ?? (i know this all may sound a lil stupid.. but id rather sound stupid and do it right with everyone else's knowledge.. then to totally f**k sumthin up lol

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 12:56 pm

yes. I have an old PC that sits in the garage and provides a dummy load. From the 12V rail (that's yellow and black on the hard disk connectors), I can pull 15A or so without an issue. That's enough to power the 900.1d, a 180.2 and a 100.2 at the same time to a reasonable level. I need a load (so some resistors) to do some serious testing, but this allows me to set levels and such like without trying too hard.
The amps are only wired up with 1.5mm2 (16AWG?) for this, but since I'm testing and not really pushing, I don't see the issue. Besides, 13AWG is rated to 32A...

Bret

Post by **Rold Gold** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 1:05 pm

Get yerself a 12v power converter/supply off the bay. Make sure to get one that will give ya some sort of real amps though.

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 1:09 pm

^^ that's the real way to do it

HoseHead · Post by **HoseHead** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 1:12 pm

I bench for functionality and proof of concept, not specification.
A decent bench also is the best educational tool you have.

I have a car battery for juice (a charger to keep it up to 13VDC or so).
I use 4awg, properly connected to the battery with qty 3 4awg and 2 8awg source "ports".
I have a DD5 to easily connect processors, if called for in the design.
With this, I can run three decent sized amps for satisfactory periods (20-30 minutes) before the B+ drops off.
I have a set of Tantrum 6.5Cs, a pair of Klipsch 8" woofs and a triple ported box under the bench with qty 3 older RF 10's.
Signal source is a performance PC sound card. Creative brand with 5.1. The signal is dirty, so I'll mount an actual hU in there someday.

I test hardware for smooth potentiometer & switch operation and relative performance using my ear.
Does the pot do what the manual says it should?
If I switch this, what happens?
If I enhance this one, and defeat these two, what happens to the mid bass?

I posted a few pix of a dual trace digital scope (from the office) a while back, and will soon be testing for gain, crossover down to the hz, and cleaniness of signal.

HH

KHPower · Post by **KHPower** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 1:33 pm

I use a cheap Pyrymid 52amp power supply , a capacitor and a pc for my signal and a good multi meter

The pc's sound card actually puts out a god 4.0 volt signal at 60 hz

scorpio86 · Post by **scorpio86** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 6:43 am

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-12V-REG-DC-POWE ... 286.c0.m14

will this work.. ??

rolandk · Post by **rolandk** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:42 am

You guys don't all have an Ap?

thedeal7235 · Post by **thedeal7235** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:45 am

now roland, is that really fair? just kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!SAWEEEEEEEEETTTT

Post by **fuzzysnuggleduck** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:51 am

That will work for very basis testing, but 4-6A is pretty weak. Last night I hooked up a 7A old AT-style computer PSU to my M25 and M50 for their first power on tests. It works, but I wouldn't crank the volume with that setup.

KHPower · Post by **KHPower** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:43 pm

rolandk wrote:You guys don't all have an Ap?

OWned