amplifiers and cold weather

[cableguy_hd]

I've noticed that sometimes when I start the truck it may take a few minutes for the subs to start working. During the cold weather. At first I was concerned but when its warmer they start working at once. Is this normal for amps? Do they have to warm up? its an alpine mono amp

 

[GotExhaust.com]

Do they not work at all? There's no reason I can think of why cold temps (within reason) would adversely effect the performance of the amplifier.

The only thing I can think of is sometimes depending on the material of your subwoofer's surround the cold weather could make the it a little stiffer, thus it will move less in cold temps and produce less sound.

 

[cableguy_hd]

no they work... it just takes a while for them to start. I'm thinking its the amp warming up but I really don't know

 

[GotExhaust.com]

no they work... it just takes a while for them to start. I'm thinking its the amp warming up but I really don't know

Have you checked to see if your amp is turning on? Or is there no power indicator light. Depending on how cold we're talking, it should have absolutely no effect on the amplifier its self. Obviously cold weather can wreak havoc on your battery and charging system, but not the amp its self.

Check your wiring. If you have a loose connection (maybe your remote turn on?) it could rear its head in cold weather when your charging system isn't sending 100% juice. Then when everything warms up, the amperage increases and it might be enough to overcome a loose connection.

 

[White Beauty]

sounds like the amp is turning on.. but the subs surround material is cold... next time its cold start the truck and place your hand on the sub face.. see if you can feel it moving slightly.. once warmed up it will operate as normal.

I had this issue with -25c temps for 2 weeks in my old car with Memphis subwoofers (4-12's to be exact) amps come on and you can feel the subs moving slightly till the inside of the car warmed up.

 

[cableguy_hd]

It has a blue light that comes on when the door is opened and truck is cranked. Ill touch them in the morning and see what they do.

 

[autokraftgt]

Iam running two Alpine mono amps at the moment, and they turn on instantly.
It was -10* / -40* windchill recently, and zero delay.
When it's that cold, I let them warm up to local radio for a few minutes, but all my amps turn on instantly...

 

[Etroze86]

Its normal in extreme cold weather for stereos not to put out optimum sound right from the get go. Ever single sub and amp combo I have ever ran has needed time to warm up when it gets below zero. Don't sweat it to much just let your truck warm up and it'll be fine. BTW I have lived in one of the coldest states in the US my entire life good old North Dakota.