Bridged amplifier lost L/R balance
 

Hi,

I have a PPI 900.5 and bridged the 4 chan amplifier side to power my two front speakers. I've lost my balance control. What did I do wrong?
I got the wiring info and link to the manual from this forum: PPI 900.5 - correct wiring? - Car Audio | DiyMobileAudio.com | Car Stereo Forum


Also this amplifier manual says it does 230×2 and 440×1 @4ohm. I dont get that spec b/c it can only do 270×1 if in 4 ohm mode. Also can you mix and match 4ohm speakers bridged with a 2ohm sub on this amp or do I need a 4ohm sub?:confused: I've read the manual to no avail.

RMS Power 4Ω 70×4 & 270×1
RMS Power 2Ω 115×4 & 440×1
RMS Power 4Ω Bridged 230×2 & 440×1

https://i.imgur.com/dtm72q3.jpg

My first time posting in years!:tup:

First thing I'd check is the inputs. Sounds like you are driving the amp with only the L or R side of the preamp output. Might help to use a source with lots of separation to determine which side you are using.

Edit: That's one of the crappiest manuals I've seen. :(

I made sure that both the L/R RCA cables were working by using only one at a time and they both produced sound. I could take apart the center console and double check that I hooked up to the correct L/R ports in the head unit.

I'm pretty sure this amp is the same as some other amps: Polk Audio's 5 channel amp and JAD 900.5 amp. The JAD manual is better but not by much

https://www.nvx.com/content/NVX_JAD9...ual_052316.pdf

https://www.carid.com/images/polk-au...005-manual.pdf

Here are a few options the first might be that your amp actually doesn't support bridged mode. (I know I swore up and down my 1200 dollar audison did but it actually doesn't. 230 for speakers is a LOT and might actually over power your speakers if your gains aren't set right.

Second back track. Hook the speakers up not in bridged mode and verify you have balance. If they are, check your switches on the amp and verify there isn't one that switches from 6 channel mode to 4 channel mode. This could be the issue.

It's a 4chan/ST switch and its in ST. Hooked it up regularly and it works fine, better SQ it seems, and the balance works. The box and manual say bridgeable but there's no info on how to. Thanks for the help so far.

I think I'll just leave it unbridged since it doesn't seem to want to work. Itd be nice to know I could power almost any components with it but alas. If anyone got suggestions on why it isn't working that's be cool.

Typically, an amplifier that is bridgeable will have the markings at the speaker outputs showing you which to wire for bridged mode.

https://www.sonicelectronix.com/pict...ure_id=2256929 example

Thanks, good to know.

I have the Polk Audio version of this amp and the manual says it's bridgeable but they just color code the speaker inputs. The PPI I have in my car doesn't say anything on the amp but the manual and box both do. I think I will just replace the amp with a JL 3 channel amp when I get the funds.