Hifonics Warrior Merlin blown, could use some help troubleshooting and repairing.

snicker7 · 18th June 2010, 01:02 PM

I just purchased a used Hifonics Warrior Merlin amplifier on Tuesday. I had it powering two 12" RF Punch HE2 @ 1ohm. Sounded beautiful!

However, late Wednesday, the amp suddenly cut out.

The amp power light comes on.
When it powers up, I hear a *click* sound.
However, there is *no* output, and I've tried multiple subs. Subs that I knew to be working.

I pulled the RF subs and looked at them, and lo and behold, one of the tinsel leads had come undone and likely shorted out the connection..

I opened up the amp to visually inspect for damage and couldn't find any.

Any idea what could have happened or gone wrong? I'm interested in repairing it, I have a mild amount of electrical knowledge and am quite handy with a soldering iron and a VMM. I could use some help on figuring out the next step.

Thanks!

Perry Babin · 18th June 2010, 03:14 PM

Many times, when the power supply fails, the symptoms are just as you described.

Can you post a photo of the inside of the amp?

snicker7 · 18th June 2010, 03:31 PM

Here's an overall. Let me know if closeups of anything will help. I'm just taking photos with an iPhone atm.

Perry Babin · 18th June 2010, 03:50 PM

After the relay clicks, measure the DC voltage on the speaker terminals. Place the black meter probe on the amplifier's ground terminal. Place the red meter probe on each of the speaker terminals.

snicker7 · 18th June 2010, 04:25 PM

19.77 volts at each of the positive terminals, and the voltage on the negative terminals steadly drops at 0.1volt per second while making contact.

midnightg35x · 18th June 2010, 07:24 PM

Sounds like blown outputs then if you have DC on the speaker terminal outputs.

snicker7 · 18th June 2010, 07:36 PM

So should I test all the output FETs and replace whichever one is fudged?

Where is a good place to get those? Does radioshack or Fry's sell them or will I have to order them?

Also does anyone have the schematic for this amp?

Perry Babin · 18th June 2010, 11:36 PM

This amp uses an HIP4080 so it will have 1/2 of the rail voltage on the speaker terminals.

Is it possible that the relay is clicking twice, very quickly?

snicker7 · 18th June 2010, 11:49 PM

It really sounds like only one click but I will listen a little closer and get back to you in a a second.

snicker7 · 19th June 2010, 05:56 PM

that was a long second. It is definitely only one click

18th June 2010, 01:02 PM	#1
snicker7 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Vegas	Hifonics Warrior Merlin blown, could use some help troubleshooting and repairing. I just purchased a used Hifonics Warrior Merlin amplifier on Tuesday. I had it powering two 12" RF Punch HE2 @ 1ohm. Sounded beautiful! However, late Wednesday, the amp suddenly cut out. The amp power light comes on. When it powers up, I hear a click sound. However, there is no output, and I've tried multiple subs. Subs that I knew to be working. I pulled the RF subs and looked at them, and lo and behold, one of the tinsel leads had come undone and likely shorted out the connection.. I opened up the amp to visually inspect for damage and couldn't find any. Any idea what could have happened or gone wrong? I'm interested in repairing it, I have a mild amount of electrical knowledge and am quite handy with a soldering iron and a VMM. I could use some help on figuring out the next step. Thanks!

18th June 2010, 03:14 PM	#2
Perry Babin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Louisiana	Many times, when the power supply fails, the symptoms are just as you described. Can you post a photo of the inside of the amp? __________________ Links >> Basic Car Audio Amp Repair --- Basic Car Audio Electronics --- Basic Transistor Testing --- Basic Switching Power Supply Design --- Basic Computer Skills << Links

18th June 2010, 03:50 PM	#4
Perry Babin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Louisiana	After the relay clicks, measure the DC voltage on the speaker terminals. Place the black meter probe on the amplifier's ground terminal. Place the red meter probe on each of the speaker terminals. __________________ Links >> Basic Car Audio Amp Repair --- Basic Car Audio Electronics --- Basic Transistor Testing --- Basic Switching Power Supply Design --- Basic Computer Skills << Links

18th June 2010, 11:36 PM	#8
Perry Babin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Louisiana	This amp uses an HIP4080 so it will have 1/2 of the rail voltage on the speaker terminals. Is it possible that the relay is clicking twice, very quickly? __________________ Links >> Basic Car Audio Amp Repair --- Basic Car Audio Electronics --- Basic Transistor Testing --- Basic Switching Power Supply Design --- Basic Computer Skills << Links

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18th June 2010, 03:31 PM	#3
snicker7 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Vegas	Here's an overall. Let me know if closeups of anything will help. I'm just taking photos with an iPhone atm.

18th June 2010, 04:25 PM	#5
snicker7 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Vegas	19.77 volts at each of the positive terminals, and the voltage on the negative terminals steadly drops at 0.1volt per second while making contact.

18th June 2010, 07:24 PM	#6
midnightg35x diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Iowa	Sounds like blown outputs then if you have DC on the speaker terminal outputs.

18th June 2010, 07:36 PM	#7
snicker7 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Vegas	So should I test all the output FETs and replace whichever one is fudged? Where is a good place to get those? Does radioshack or Fry's sell them or will I have to order them? Also does anyone have the schematic for this amp?

18th June 2010, 11:49 PM	#9
snicker7 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Vegas	It really sounds like only one click but I will listen a little closer and get back to you in a a second.

19th June 2010, 05:56 PM	#10
snicker7 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Vegas	that was a long second. It is definitely only one click

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