Important Distortion Detector DD-1 User Information Technical Bulletin

[Audioguy564]

Please visit the Distortion Detector section on our website for an important Technical Service Bulletin. A link to the Technical service bulletin is located at the bottom of the page.

Distortion Detector Product Page

For warranty service please contact D'Amore Engineering at [email protected]

Do Not Contact West Coast Car Audio or Steve Meade.

[meade916]

let me step in real quick. Its OK to contact me.....but more then likely i am going to forward your email to D'amore Engineering so they can remedy any problem you may have.

Keep in mind, we have had 2 known issues.

First issue - some of the earlier (pre 500) units had a sticky overlay. The buttons are integrated with the actual logo and a few went bad causing the unit to stay on or turn itself on after being turned off. We found out that issue and have mostly (that we know of) eliminated the problem.

second issue - which really isnt our fault, but it should be brought to your attention anyway. This unit is designed to work up to 125v which is around 15,000 watts. If you have a very large amplifier, capable of 10,000 or more watts, you have to watch out because you have potential to damage the unit. What happens is, you turn the gain up looking for distortion.......and even though its only 10,000 watts, if you turn that gain screw too much, it could send double that to the DD-1 as it goes into hard clipping. We had 3 or 4 go out like that. Since then, the new units (serial number 1500 and up) will have an upgraded component in it that will allow 300v and eliminate the problem. Our product works as advertised (up to 15,000w) but anyone with an amp that is over 6,000 watts, if you want your unit upgraded, we can do it for about $10 bucks plus shipping. If your unit gets damaged from too much power, its no problem, we will fix it for the same price. Of course if it malfunctions due to manufacturer defect, we will fix it free.

Do me a favor though, if you plan on using the Distortion Detector on a very large amp, let us know in advance so we can arrange an upgrade!! Better to fix now then find out the hard way! i already did once Tuning rusty's 9.0k's the other day @ 17.5v and putting out over 150v lol - damn! At least we have the resources to fix any issue as it arises!

[SnowDrifter]

That's the issue I was having when I posted my thread a while back. Will the units still be under warranty if they have this issue?

[MIKE-2U]

So the normal on goes to amps up to 6k anything over and upgrade is recommened. What about amps that are strapped? Are they affected.

[meade916]

That's the issue I was having when I posted my thread a while back. Will the units still be under warranty if they have this issue?

like i said, if you are over 15kw, its really not our fault......but we will fix it for you. What issue were you having? You can contact D'amore engineering any time and send it in. It will be tested and repaired (if need be) and sent back. We have no problem backing up our product but its been 98% user error every time i read about someone having a problem. The thread always starts out "my DD-1 not working....", but by the end of the thread, the guy figured it out and is happy. So send it in, we will take a look at it. If its defective, it will be fixed, no problem at all.

[meade916]

So the normal on goes to amps up to 6k anything over and upgrade is recommened. What about amps that are strapped? Are they affected.

when i say 6,000 i am talking RMS because like i said, if you turn the gain up to fast, like i did (lol) you might clip it and put a LOT more then 6,000 watts into the detector....You can use it on a 6,000 watt amp, i successfully did a 15,000 watt amp......but the difference was i didnt clip the hell out of the amp when doing it. I barely touched distortion and backed off.

anyway, for most, this will never be a problem. If you have a 12,000 watt amp @ 18v you might wanna call us first LOL

[SnowDrifter]

That's the issue I was having when I posted my thread a while back. Will the units still be under warranty if they have this issue?

like i said, if you are over 15kw, its really not our fault......but we will fix it for you. What issue were you having? You can contact D'amore engineering any time and send it in. It will be tested and repaired (if need be) and sent back. We have no problem backing up our product but its been 98% user error every time i read about someone having a problem. The thread always starts out "my DD-1 not working....", but by the end of the thread, the guy figured it out and is happy. So send it in, we will take a look at it. If its defective, it will be fixed, no problem at all.

It's a 4300 watt amp(but does it at 4 ohms) and got a text back from your shop saying that it should be OK when I asked them. It was pretty much the same issue as the service bulletin described. Distortion light and chirping.

But hey, if it gets fixed, I cant complain

Edited January 19, 2012 by SnowDrifter

[SnowDrifter]

....

Edited January 19, 2012 by SnowDrifter

[MIKE-2U]

And add $10 to the normal price fpr the upgraded on. I may just buy the upgraded so im done and never will need to upgrade.

[Jville140db]

Thanks for the heads up guys your the best don't know that ill ever need that upgrade most of what I do is under 2k but good info to have D'Amore Engineering and SMD ftw.