Adding 2nd Amp: Do I Need an Additional Fuse(s)?

[bocajoe]

My power wire is 4 gauge with a 120A Mini ANL fuse right after the battery.

I plan on using a Distribution Block to power both amps in the interior of the car (see pic). Total watts will be under 900w RMS.

Is the 120amp fuse from the battery enough or should I add another fuse right before each amp? Use a Fused Distribution Block? Not sure which way to go here.

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[marc2112 10+ year member]

Yes use a fused dist block.

 

[bocajoe]

OK thanks!

Question is. The fuses on the back of each amp are
60A & 80A = 140 which is more than the 120a right after the battery. Do I need to upgrade this fuse to 150A?

Am I better off running a ANL fuse (1x60a & 1 80a) to each amp?

 

[marc2112 10+ year member]

Depends on your wire size.

 

[bocajoe]

OK. I have 4 gauge wire which from the chart shows 120amps.

My combined amps fuses on the back of the amp are 60a + 80a = 140a.

Am I correct that the 4 gauge wire is too small for both amps?

 

[marc2112 10+ year member]

It should be fine with a 150 fuse but I recommend upgrading to 0 awg eventually. You'll know if you're amps overheat quickly. That means you're bottlenecking somewhere.

 

[bocajoe]

Awesome thanks! I'm going to order the 150a fuse. Also I'm going to lowes and grabbing some 0AWG wire and will replace the 4 gauge wire from the battery to the firewall and run my distribution block with 0AWG in and 2 x 4 gauge out to my amps. Is this a good plan?

 

[marc2112 10+ year member]

Sounds good. Use your 4 awg leftovers to upgrade your factory grounds.

 

[bocajoe]

Great idea... you're the man!!!!!

Thanks for all the help!

 

[bocajoe]

Shoot.... One last thing. I'm going with 1/0 Gauge Power wire (in stock at lowes) from battery to distribution block. Chart says 262.5 Watt Fuse recommended for 1 Gauge wire. Should I order a 250amp fuse for the power wire or a little smaller amperage?

I will be fusing each amp (60a + 80a) at the distribution block which is what is on the back of each amplifier.

 

[marc2112 10+ year member]

I use 250a but most will say 300a.

 

[bocajoe]

OK, cool. Thanks again for everything!