Subwoofer caught fire while on standby?!!

[Samsang]

Probably a filter capacitor in the sub's power supply. A common failure mode for high value electrolytic capacitors is an internal short circuit. The high current through the short makes them blow up with a loud "POP!!!

Mind you though, by "common failure mode", I mean common among those that fail. Electrolytic caps are amazingly rugged and reliable, with a very low failure rate. There's no reason to expect that this will happen to others out and about, so quell your fears and resume normal normal routine out there.

It's possible that the cap didn't take any other components with it when it popped. If so, it will be a quick and inexpensive repair. Don't expect that, necessarily, but it could happen. Good Luck!

[Big Daddy]

All electrical and electronic devices can catch fire. I worry more about space heaters, fire places, gas ovens, and gas dryers. Many people fall asleep when they are watching TV with the heater, etc. on. It is wise to double check everything and have one of these fire extinguishers available inside the house. They don't cost that much and are available at Walmart, Home Depot/Lowes, Amazon, etc.

[coolmilo]

Originally Posted by X400

no its probably in a bad place (for sound anyway) its behind the tv but theres no walls near it

no heater vents or anything oO

really freaked me out thinking what could have happened if i wasnt there.

I got some info today saying that that particular amp has had quite a few issues (but i havent heard about one like that) :/

Is the dealer or manufacturer going to repair or replace it? It seems the least they can do for almost buying down your house.

I was wondering about the brand so I know to avoid it at all costs. Sheesh

[X400]

Well i checked out the units and the amps gone... the subs gone too


the place i bought it from is going to replace the amp (theres a 5yr warranty on it)

the amp is a Elemental Designs plate amp LT350 and its a Creative Sounds sub.

the caps on the ED amp are made-in-china as well as most of the other components in it :/

was thinking of just replacing the capacitors myself with some better quality ones instead of getting the amp replaced.. but we'll see

[blu_world]

and your okay with the same brand of subwoofer after it almost turned your house in a flaming ball of wreck?

dammit I'd be a little upset

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by Don Blish

The simple solution to having your SubWoffer go off is to plug it into the SWITCHED outlet on the back of your reciever.

Most receivers with the switched outlet option restrict the wattage of devices plugged into them. It's usually about 100 watts, enough to run a tape or disc drive.

I wouldn't plug a subwoofer into it.

[MacDaddyOJack]

I think it's next to impossible for the driver to start a fire or spark, so it must have been your amp. I'd make sure you don't have any wires or parts touching and maybe contact eD to see if they have heard of the problem before.

[C_Doc]

My old 10" JBL subwoofer blew out like that, on a few occasions. The first time, it woke up in the middle of the night, making whining noises. I went and unplugged it, then plugged it back in... It start blasting 150watt shots full blast into our apartment BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM... heh

I found on a forum the bad capacitor that had blown, and fixed it for a whole 39 cents, and it was good to go for another 2 or 3 years. I did put a switch on the back of it at that point, to turn off the power completey. It went out again the other day, and I fixed it one last time, then jacked it up and ran a new JBL Sub12 under it.. hehe Now, it's someone else's problem: I gave it to my dad and he sold it at the flea market.

[X400]

Originally Posted by blu_world

and your okay with the same brand of subwoofer after it almost turned your house in a flaming ball of wreck?

dammit I'd be a little upset

yeah, i was thinking of going a whole different way for the sub/amp

was thinking of picking up a SVS unit, but i think id rather not spend $600 atm plus i dont know if its going to be as good(as bad in this case) as what i was using :/

[Driver_King]

A2-300?

[X400]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

A2-300?

that'd be sticking with ED then, and their amp was the cause of my problem

not only that its failed before.. just never caused a fire



i think ive decided to get a svs, probably the best thing to do

[Blu-Buddha]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

All electrical and electronic devices can catch fire. I worry more about space heaters, fire places, gas ovens, and gas dryers. Many people fall asleep when they are watching TV with the heater, etc. on. It is wise to double check everything and have one of these fire extinguishers available inside the house. They don't cost that much and are available at Walmart, Home Depot/Lowes, Amazon, etc.

Some ten years or so ago my roommate and I got back from having dinner out, sat down to watch t.v. and we heard a pop! pop! pop! from the kitchen and we go in to find smoke and flames billowing out of the stupid toaster. Since then I unplug near everything when I leave the house- especially for any extended period of time.

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by X400

that'd be sticking with ED then, and their amp was the cause of my problem

not only that its failed before.. just never caused a fire



i think ive decided to get a svs, probably the best thing to do

It didn't catch fire, did it? You said it was smoking. There is a difference...